The document discusses the uses and differences between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses. The present perfect simple is used to talk about ongoing situations that began in the past and continue to the present, as well as completed recent actions. The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action. It is used for repeated or continuous actions that may or may not be finished. Some examples are provided to illustrate the differences between the tenses.

1. Uses and differences
Upper-intermediate

2. Ongoing situations
Both present perfect simple or continuous, to talk about
something that started in the past and is still true now,
with many verbs (live, work, study, do):
2014 2 years Now
Ex.: I’ve studied/I’ve been studying English since
2014/for 2 years.
The continuous tense emphasises the duration of the
action
Present perfect continuous: for repeated actions,
expecially with time expressions like recently, all day, etc,
where the duration of an action is emphasised.:
Ex: I’ve been waiting here all day.

3. Ongoing situations (2)
Simple (non-action verbs) vs. Continuous (action):
Ex.: I’ve had a Visa Gold for ten years vs. I’ve been studying all
day
CAREFUL: some verbs can be action and non-action
Ex.: He’s been having a shower for ages vs. He’s had this house
for years (possession).

4. Completed recent actions
Present perfect simple:
Actions that are short and complete:
Ex.: He’s fallen down in the street
I’ve cut my finger
With adverbs just, already (and with all the others common
with this tense, ever, never, yet, etc.
Ex.: I’ve just read the English book.
With superlatives and, the first, the second, etc.
Ex.: He’s the most boring teacher I’ve ever had.
With quantity (how much/many; how often):
Ex: How many cups of coffee have you drunk? I’ve had
three.
I’ve seen Titanic a hundred times.

5. Completed recent actions
Present perfect continuous:
Present perfect continuous: for continuous actions
that are finished but with present results:
Ex.: I’ve been running all morning. I’m exhausted.
The street is very wet. It’s been raining.

6. Completion vs non completion
Simple (completion of the action) vs. Continuous
(action may not be completed):
Ex.: I’ve cleaned the house vs. I’ve been cleaning
the house.

7. Completion vs non completion
Simple (completion of the action) vs. Continuous
(action may not be completed):
Ex.: I’ve cleaned the house vs. I’ve been cleaning
the house.