TAKE FIVE Connections: Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

Grammar Handbook
Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous
Grammar Handbook Index

In most cases, the difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous is very subtle; you can often use either one. Use Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the time that the action took to occur or the number of times that it occurred.

For example:

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

I’ve waited for him for three hours.
Means: I started waiting for him three hours ago and I may continue to wait for him.
(see Present Perfect use #1) I’ve been waiting for him for three hours.
Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that three hours is a long time to wait!
(see Present Perfect Continuous use #1)

She’s washed the car a lot lately.
Means: She’s washed the car repeatedly.
(see Present Perfect use #2) She’s been washing the car a lot lately.
Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that she’s washed the car too many times or that she’s spent too much time washing the car!
(see Present Perfect Continuous use #2)

They’ve gotten engaged. They haven’t dated very long.
Means: they stopped dating (and got engaged) in the recent past.
(see Present Perfect use #3) They’ve gotten engaged?! They haven’t been dating very long!
Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that they didn’t date long enough before they got engaged!
(see Present Perfect Continuous use #3)

Be careful! There can be a big difference between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous! Present Perfect Continuous can express a change of habit or routine.

For example:

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

I have gone to church.
Means: I’ve gone to church recently.
(see Present Perfect use #1)
Or: I’ve gone to church at least once in my life.
(see Present Perfect use #2) I have been going to church.
Means: In the past, I didn’t usually go to church, but now I go there routinely.
(see Present Perfect Continuous use #5)

I haven’t played tennis.
Means: I’ve never played tennis in my life — not even one time!
(see Present Perfect use #2) I haven’t been playing tennis.
Means: I usually play tennis, but recently it hasn’t been possible for me to do it.
(see Present Perfect Continuous use #5)

Note:

We use Present Perfect when we say how many times something occurred.
We use Present Perfect Continuous when we say how long something took to occur.

For example:

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

He has called me 73 times.
I’ve written five chapters today.
I’ve gone to the beach many, many times.

He has been calling me all week.
I’ve been writing all morning.
I’ve been going to the beach all my life.

Key words:
numbers

times
Key words:
all, all of

You can use for and since with either Present Perfect or Present Perfect Simple.

For example:

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

He’s talked about her for years.
I’ve played volleyball since 9 o’clock.
You haven’t paid your rent for three months.

He’s been talking about her for years.
I’ve been playing volleyball since 9 o’clock.
You haven’t been paying your rent for three months.

Present Perfect	Present Perfect Continuous
I’ve waited for him for three hours. `Means: I started waiting for him three hours ago and I may continue to wait for him.` (see Present Perfect use #1)	I’ve been waiting for him for three hours. `Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that three hours is a long time to wait!` (see Present Perfect Continuous use #1)
She’s washed the car a lot lately. `Means: She’s washed the car repeatedly.` (see Present Perfect use #2)	She’s been washing the car a lot lately. `Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that she’s washed the car too many times or that she’s spent too much time washing the car!` (see Present Perfect Continuous use #2)
They’ve gotten engaged. They haven’t dated very long. `Means: they stopped dating (and got engaged) in the recent past.` (see Present Perfect use #3)	They’ve gotten engaged?! They haven’t been dating very long! `Means: the same as Present Perfect, but also suggests that they didn’t date long enough before they got engaged!` (see Present Perfect Continuous use #3)

Present Perfect	Present Perfect Continuous
I have gone to church. `Means: I’ve gone to church recently.` (see Present Perfect use #1) `Or: I’ve gone to church at least once in my life.` (see Present Perfect use #2)	I have been going to church. `Means: In the past, I didn’t usually go to church, but now I go there routinely.` (see Present Perfect Continuous use #5)
I haven’t played tennis. `Means: I’ve never played tennis in my life — not even one time!` (see Present Perfect use #2)	I haven’t been playing tennis. `Means: I usually play tennis, but recently it hasn’t been possible for me to do it.` (see Present Perfect Continuous use #5)

Present Perfect	Present Perfect Continuous
He has called me 73 times. I’ve written five chapters today. I’ve gone to the beach many, many times.	He has been calling me all week. I’ve been writing all morning. I’ve been going to the beach all my life.
Key words: numbers `times`	Key words: `all`, `all of`

Present Perfect	Present Perfect Continuous
He’s talked about her `for` years. I’ve played volleyball `since` 9 o’clock. You haven’t paid your rent `for` three months.	He’s been talking about her `for` years. I’ve been playing volleyball `since` 9 o’clock. You haven’t been paying your rent `for` three months.