Lesson

Present perfect continuous and present perfect - advanced

Advanced perfect

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

Present perfect continuous and present perfect – advanced

Both the present perfect simple (have + past participle) and the present perfect continuous (have been + -ing) connect past actions to the present. The difference lies in emphasis — result vs duration — and in which verbs can take continuous forms.

  • Use present perfect simple to emphasize completed actions with present relevance or the result: "We have finished the report."
  • Use present perfect continuous to emphasize the duration or ongoing nature of an activity that started in the past and continues now: "We have been working on the report for three hours."
  • Some verbs (stative verbs) usually do not use continuous forms: know, believe, own, prefer, etc.
  • Time expressions: use 'for' + duration and 'since' + point in time with both forms, but continuous often pairs with 'how long', 'all morning', 'recently' to stress duration or repeated activity.

Table

Present perfect: Structures and uses

Form Use / Emphasis Example Common signal words
Present perfect simple: have/has + past participle Completed actions with present relevance; results or number of times; states that began in the past and continue (with verbs like 'live', 'work') We have completed the audit. just, already, yet, ever, never, so far, recently
Present perfect continuous: have/has been + -ing Actions that started in the past and are still continuing or were recently in progress; emphasizes duration or repeated activity We have been working on the audit for three hours. for, since, how long, all morning, lately
Choosing between them Simple = focus on result. Continuous = focus on duration or ongoing process. I've painted the office. (result) / I've been painting the office all day. (duration) result vs duration

Tip

Key rule: Choose by emphasis

Decide whether you want to highlight the result or the duration/continuity of the action.

  • Result (present perfect simple): focus on outcome or completed action that matters now — 'We have finished the contract.'
  • Duration/continuity (present perfect continuous): focus on how long or that the activity is ongoing — 'We have been negotiating with the client for weeks.'
  • Avoid continuous with stative verbs: use present perfect simple — 'I have known the director for years.'

If unsure, think: Do I mean 'the action is finished (result)' or 'the action continued / is still happening (duration)'?

Example

Examples in context

We have completed the audit and uploaded the file to the server.

We have been working on the audit since 9 AM and still have two sections left.

She has been writing reports all week; she needs a break.

I have known the client for ten years and trust their decisions.

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

These are frequent errors learners make with these tenses. Watch for form and meaning.

  • Using the continuous with stative verbs: 'I have been knowing him' (incorrect) → 'I have known him' (correct).
  • Confusing result and duration: choosing simple when you mean ‘how long’ or continuous when you mean a finished result.
  • Incorrect auxiliary or tense: using past simple for an action with present relevance ('I finished the report' vs 'I have finished the report').
  • Omitting 'been' in the perfect continuous: 'I have working' (incorrect) instead of 'I have been working'.
  • Wrong time expressions: using 'since' with a duration ('since two hours' is incorrect; use 'for two hours').

Check the verb form and the time expression together to choose the correct tense.

Quiz

Which sentence best emphasizes that the task is ongoing and focuses on duration?

Hint: Look for 'for' + duration and a continuous form to indicate ongoing activity.

Quiz

Complete: He _____ at the office since Monday.

Hint: Think about actions that started in the past and are still happening now.

Quiz

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Hint: Think about verbs that describe states rather than actions.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

present perfect simple

grammar_point CEFR B2 //ˈprɛzənt ˈpɜːrfɪkt ˈsɪmpəl//

A tense formed with have/has + past participle used for actions with present relevance or past actions that affect the present.

We have signed the contract.

GrammarPoint

present perfect continuous

grammar_point CEFR B2 //ˈprɛzənt ˈpɜːrfɪkt kənˈtɪnjuəs//

A tense formed with have/has been + -ing used to describe ongoing actions that began in the past and continue to the present or were recently in progress.

They have been negotiating the deal since Monday.

GrammarPoint

stative verb

noun CEFR B2 //ˈsteɪtɪv vɜːrb//

A verb that describes a state, condition, emotion, possession, or mental process and is usually not used in continuous forms.

I have known the manager for years.

Vocabulary

for

preposition CEFR A2 //fɔːr//

Used with a period of time to indicate duration (e.g., for three hours).

She has been on calls for two hours.

Vocabulary

since

preposition CEFR A2 //sɪns//

Used with a point in time to indicate when an action started (e.g., since Monday, since 2019).

We have been collaborating since 2018.

Vocabulary

duration

noun CEFR B1 //djʊəˈreɪʃən//

The length of time that an action or situation lasts.

Emphasize duration with the present perfect continuous when talking about long activities.