This document compares and contrasts the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses in English. It provides examples to illustrate the key differences: the present perfect continuous emphasizes duration and is used for unfinished actions, while the present perfect simple focuses on experience and completed actions. It also warns that some common phrases like "I've known them" are often used incorrectly and should take the simple not continuous form.

1. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
VS
PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS

2. HOW LONG?
HOW MUCH/MANY?
 I have been reading this book for 5 hours.
How long? 5 hours
 I have read 130 pages.
How many? 130 pages

3. FINISHED? UNFINISHED?
 She has been reading a book about witches.
 She has read a book about witches.

4. SEE THE RESULT?
 Put your shoes on. The grass is wet.
It has been raining.
 What’s been going on here?
The children have been cooking.

5. BE CAREFUL!!!
I’ve been breaking my leg.
I’ve broken my leg.
I’ve been knowing them for ages
I’ve known them for ages.
I’ve been living here for many years.
I’ve lived here for many years.

6. GOOD LUCK!
TIME FOR EXERCISES