Present perfect simple vs. Present perfect continuous

English as a Second Language English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
1

Could anybody explain me the essential difference between the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous? :?:

Thank you all

2

.
The essential difference is that the former focusses on the act/event (completed or incomplete), and the latter focuses on the action/movement.
.

3

Hi Nola,

The point about the present perfect continuous is that it indicates that the action will probably go on into the future.

I have worked for 6 hours indicates the period from then (6 hours ago) until now and the indication is that you are now going to stop. I have been working for six hours covers the same period but also hints at the idea that you haven’t stopped and will continue to work.

Alan

4

And yet both these are grammatical and heard, aren’t they, Alan?

I have worked for 6 hours and now I need a break.
I have been working for six hours and now I need a break.

5

Thanks everybody for explanation. But what about the difference between the following sentences? :roll:
** I lived in the USA for 3 years.
** I have lived in the USA for 3 years.
** I have been living in the USA for 3 years.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks

6

Hi Nola,

Let’s go through them:

(1)I lived in the USA for 3 years. This means at one period in your life you lived there for three years. It has no connection with now.

(2)I have lived in the USA for 3 years. This suggests you are still there or possibly that you lived there for that period of time in answer to a question like: Have you ever lived abroad? This brings the idea of (1) into a present conversation.

(3)I have been living in the USA for 3 years. This suggests that you are still there and the chances are you are going to go on living there.

Alan

7

Meaningly, the Past simple refers only to the past. (Our memories that will never come back)
The present perfect refers to a connection between the past and the present.
The present perfect continuous refers to a connection between the past and the present and it is still ongoing in the future.

Thanks Alan for your help

Nola

8

Hi Nola

The present perfect suggests a finished point up to the present from the past more so than the continuous.
And if you would want to know how to use them defined by function then this would be as Alan indicates the distinction.

I have been studying English for IT for 2 years (now) versus
I have studied English for IT for 2 years.

The first suggesting that the course is longer than 2 years, that latter suggests a recently finished course.

Although some speakers may not exclusively use these as above, they would be more accurate indicators of the subtleties of their usage.

9

But what about these, Stew?

I have been studying English for IT and I’ve had enough of it.
I have studied English for IT for 2 years and I’ve had enough of it.

10

both of them refer to actions started in the past and continue up to the present but the present perfect progressive emphasizes the duration of an action while the present perfect simple emphasizes the result of an action.
Lucy has been typing letters since 10:30
Lucy has typed eight letters since 10:30[/img]

11

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TOEIC listening, photographs: A Turandot scene[YSaerTTEW443543]

12

I have painted the room. (complete action) You can see the result.

I have been painting the room for 3hours. (incomplete action) You are in the middle of task.

13

… or you have just finished the task!

14

Not really.
The present perfect progressive indicates that I might have just finished two or the walls but not all walls and roof.
The room is still being painted.

15

But with the present perfect simple we may or may not finished the task.
That’s what I know.

16

Consider this:
I have just watered the flowers.( I finished the task)
I have learned English for three years.(may be I finished or not) So, there is a slight connection between the present perfect simple and the present perfect progressive.

17

Hi,

The significant word in your first sentence is ‘just’. It is that word that indicates the recent completion of the action.

Alan

18

Hi,
Thanks for replying.
But, without the word ( just) does the sentence mean I am still watering them? Of course not. The consummation of the action is stressed with or without just.

19

Hi,

I believe that ‘just’ indicates the recent completion.

Alan

20

Right.