Present Perfect (have done) vs Present Perfect Continuous (have been doing)

Present perfect (have done) vs present perfect continuous (have been doing)

As you’ve learned, when we’re referring to a time period that started in the past and continues up to now, we use the present perfect tense.

But the present perfect tense actually has two forms:

• So far this year, I have completed 10 projects. (present perfect)
• I have been working on this problem for the last two weeks. (present perfect continuous)
  

To choose which to use, ask yourself two questions:

Question 1: Do you want to focus on the result or the ongoing action or situation  

It you want to focus on the result, use present perfect simple.

• So far this year, I have completed 10 tasks.
  

(Focuses on the result – the number of tasks you have completed)

When the focus is on the action we have been performing, use the continuous.

   2. I have been working onthis problem for the last two weeks.

(Focusses on the action – the work you have been doing / how you have been spending your time)

Question 2:Is the action or situation short/temporary or is it long/permanent?  

For short, temporary situations or actions, it’s more common to use the present perfect continuous.

For longer, more permanent situations or actions, we use the present perfect simple.

1. I have lived in Beijing for more than ten years.

(Beijing is my long-term home – it feels permanent)

2. Due to the pandemic, I have been working from home for most of this year.

(This is a temporary situation – in the future it is likely to change)

Here are a few more examples:

• We've been working hard to solve the problem. (Focusses on the action – the work you have been doing)
• I've worked at Company for more than ten years, but I have only been working in this department for a few months.
• We have completed more than 100 projects this year. (Focuses on the result – the number of projects)
• We have overcome the first issue, but we still haven't found a solution for the second problem. We will keep working on it. (Focusses on the results)
• We have been experiencing technical problems with this piece of equipment for weeks now. We really need to get it fixed. (Focusses on the ongoing situation)