Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

• Do you know the difference between We've painted the room and We've been painting the room?

We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present, they both have similarities and difference on structure but mainly in usage. 

• The present perfect usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focus on the activity itself in some way.  

  Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasize that a situation is temporary. For example: 

  I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to the one in the shopping center. 

​ Present Perfect

Focuses on the result

Says 'How many'

Describes a completed action

Present Perfect Continuous

Focuses on the activity

Says 'How long

Describes an activity that may continue

When we can see evidence of recent activity

Multiple Choice

1. Have you always ___ garlic?

• been hating

• hated

Multiple Choice

2. Thanks for the recipe book! We've ___ two different recipes so far.

• been trying

• tried

Multiple Choice

3. I'm worried about Sam. She's ___ too hard recently.

• been working

• worked

Multiple Choice

4. I've ___ to call the internet company all morning but I can't get through.

• been trying

• tryed

Multiple Choice

5. She's ___ three main ways our company can reduce costs.

• been found

• found

Multiple Choice

6. He's ___ for the party for weeks.

• been preparing

• preparing

Multiple Choice

7. You've got white dust all over you! What have you ___?

• been doing

• being done

Multiple Choice

8. Have your parents ___ yet?

• arrived

• arriving

Multiple Choice

8. Sorry, I'm late! How long ___?

• have you waiting

• have you been waiting

Multiple Choice

4. ___ four goals and it's only half-time!

• They been scoring

• They've scored