Lesson

Present perfect continuous and simple - I have been doing and I have done

Perfect tenses

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Present perfect continuous and simple: I have been doing vs I have done

This lesson explains the difference between the present perfect simple (I have done) and the present perfect continuous (I have been doing). Both forms connect the past with the present, but they focus on different aspects: the result or the duration/continuity of an action.

  • Present perfect simple (have/has + past participle): emphasizes completed actions, results, or experiences with present relevance.
  • Present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing): emphasizes the duration, repetition, or ongoing nature of an action that started in the past and continues now or stopped recently.
  • Signal words: 'for' and 'since' are common with the continuous to show duration; 'already', 'just', 'ever', 'never', 'yet' often appear with the simple.

Table

Present perfect simple vs continuous (compare)

Form Use Example Common signal words
Present perfect simple: have/has + past participle Completed action with present result; past experiences; actions finished at an unspecified time I have finished the report. already, just, ever, never, yet
Present perfect continuous: have/has been + -ing Action started in the past and still continuing or recently stopped; focus on duration or repeated activity I have been writing reports all morning. for, since, lately, recently, all morning
Result vs process Simple = result, Continuous = process/duration I have painted the office (result) / I have been painting the office (process/duration). —
Questions Both forms use have/has in questions: Have you finished? / Have you been working? Have you sent the email? / Have you been sending emails? —
Negative forms Add not after have/has: I haven't finished. / I haven't been working. I haven't completed the invoice. / I haven't been working on the invoice. —

Tip

Key rule: result vs duration

Choose the form depending on what you want to emphasize:

  • Use present perfect simple (have/has + past participle) to emphasize a completed action or a present result: 'I have sent the invoice.'
  • Use present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing) to emphasize how long something has been happening or that the action is/was ongoing: 'I have been sending emails all morning.'
  • Use 'for' and 'since' to mention duration with the continuous: 'for two hours', 'since Monday'.

Think: simple = result, continuous = duration/process

Example

Examples in context

I have written three reports this morning.

I have been writing reports all morning.

She has completed the client presentation.

She has been preparing the client presentation since Monday.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often confuse the two forms. Watch for these universal errors:

  • Using the present perfect simple when you need to show duration (use continuous): 'I have worked here for three years' vs 'I have been working here for three years' (duration emphasis).
  • Using the continuous with stative verbs incorrectly (e.g., 'I have been knowing him' is wrong). Some verbs (know, like, own) usually use simple forms.
  • Forgetting 'been' in the continuous: 'I have working' is incorrect; correct: 'I have been working.'
  • Using present perfect with a finished past time expression (e.g., 'yesterday', 'last year') — use past simple instead.

When in doubt, decide whether you want to highlight a result (simple) or duration/process (continuous).

Quiz

Choose the sentence that correctly emphasizes duration:

Hint: Focus on which form stresses duration and ongoing action

Quiz

Complete: She _____ for the client since Monday.

Hint: Think about the continuous form used with 'since' to show ongoing activity

Quiz

Choose the sentence that shows a completed result with present relevance:

Hint: Decide whether the sentence emphasizes completion/result or ongoing action

Key Points

GrammarPoint

present perfect simple

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ˈprɛzənt ˈpɜːrfɪkt ˈsɪmpəl//

A verb form (have/has + past participle) used for completed actions with present relevance or experiences.

We have completed the audit report.

GrammarPoint

present perfect continuous

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ˈprɛzənt ˈpɜːrfɪkt kənˈtɪnjuːəs//

A verb form (have/has been + -ing) used to emphasize duration or ongoing action from the past to the present.

I have been negotiating with suppliers since January.

Vocabulary

for

preposition CEFR A2 //fɔːr//

Used to indicate a period of time (duration).

They have been hiring staff for three months.

Vocabulary

since

preposition CEFR A2 //sɪns//

Used to indicate the starting point of a period of time (from a specific time until now).

She has been working here since 2018.

GrammarPoint

past participle

grammar_term CEFR B1 //pæst pɑːrˈtɪsɪpl//

The verb form used with perfect tenses (e.g., 'written', 'completed').

We have completed the survey (completed = past participle).

GrammarPoint

stative verb

grammar_term CEFR B2 //ˈsteɪtɪv vɜːrb//

A verb that describes a state or condition rather than an action; often not used in continuous forms (e.g., know, like, own).

I have known the client for years (not 'have been knowing').