Present Perfect Continuous
Lesson 3 of 5 · ~7 minutes

Lesson 3 · Present Perfect Continuous

Simple or Continuous

Simple or Continuous

The form decides, not the verb on its own. The -ing form is about the activity itself: We've been painting the kitchen — there may still be paint on our hands. The past participle is about a finished result: We've painted the kitchen — it's done. “Three emails” calls for the Simple: I have written three emails. “All morning” calls for the Continuous: I have been writing all morning.

Case

in progress
result
how many / how long

Form

We've been painting the kitchen
We've painted the kitchen
I have written three emails / I have been writing all morning
Case
Form
in progress
We've been painting the kitchen
result
We've painted the kitchen
how many / how long
I have written three emails / I have been writing all morning

We have been painting the kitchen.

We have painted the kitchen.

I have been writing all morning.

I have written three emails.

Where people usually slip

Ask yourself what matters: the activity or the result.

Not I have been writing three emails when what matters is “three finished ones”, but I have written three emails.

Not I have painted when your hands are still covered in paint and the kitchen isn't finished, but I have been painting.

  • in progressWe have been painting the kitchen.
  • resultWe have painted the kitchen.
  • how longI have been writing all morning.
  • how manyI have written three emails.
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