The Present Perfect: Simple or Continuous?

Introduction

So if you have read the previous article, you now know everything there is to know about the Present Perfect Simple, but what about the continuous form?
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I have been reading about the present perfect simple and I think I understand it now.
We have been driving for 4 hours! When will we arrive?
Peter has been learning English since he joined the company.

As with all the continuous tenses, it is formed using the present perfect of the auxiliary be (have/has been) plus the verb in the -ing form (doing).​​ Look at the table below.

I have been living in the UK for 2 years.	We have been working on this problem.
You have been working hard.	You have been receiving a lot of emails.
He/she/it has been waiting for ages.	They have been building a new road.

​The present perfect continuous is used when we are focusing on the action. The present perfect simple is more often used when we are talking about the result. But it’s not quite as easy as that, so let’s compare the two.

Present Perfect Simples vs Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Continuous
For an action that has been completed recently (we don’t know when exactly).   I’ve finished my email. Let’s go and have lunch.	To emphasise the action we’ve been doing. We don’t know if it’s finished or not.   I’ve been repainting the kitchen.  ​
Used with verbs that describe short actions (break, start, find, lose, buy, stop, finish etc.)   I’ve started a new job !	Used with verbs that describe longer actions (learn, study, rain, try, play, read, wait etc.)   They’ve been waiting for the bus for ages.
To talk about how many things have been completed or how many times the action has happened.   We’ve eaten at a restaurant twice this week. ​	To talk about how long (duration) something has been happening.   ​ Our company has been making spare parts for the automobile industry for 30 years.
​Stative verbs are always used in the simple form (know, understand, believe, love etc.)  ​ I have finally understood the question! I have known Mary for many years. ​ ​​​	Stative verbs are hardly ever used in the continuous form (know, understand, believe, love etc.)  ​ I have finally understood the question! (Not: I have been understanding the question) ​
To talk about more permanent situations.​ ​ We have lived in this house for 20 years. We haven’t worked together since we were at university. ​ ​	​​​To talk about more temporary situations.​ ​ Katie has been living with friends in London for the last 2 months. We’ve been working on this project all year. ​

For verbs which are not followed by a direct object (work, live etc.) you can choose either the present perfect simple, or the present perfect continuous and there is no real difference in meaning. For example:  I have lived in Lyon for 2 years   or    I have been living in Lyon for 2 years. But for all the verbs which can be followed by a direct object (read, watch, write etc.) you need to choose between the two forms. ​I have been reading a book all afternoon. (The focus is on the activity) I have read one book this week. (The focus is on the completed result).

So that's a summary of the differences between the two present perfect tenses. It's not an easy concept for learners and it takes a long time to get the hang of it. But as always, practice makes perfect! So listen or look out for it next time you are watching a film, reading an article or listening to a radio programme.