l4k-table

Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous

Aspect

Present Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous

Form

has/have + past participle

has/have + been + present participle

Usage

Describes completed actions or experiences with a focus on the result.

Describes ongoing actions or repeated actions with a focus on duration or process.

Examples

The cat has slept all day. 😺

The cat has been sleeping since morning. 😴

I have read three books this week. 📚

I have been reading for hours. 📖

She has visited Paris twice. 🗼

She has been exploring Europe for a month. ✈️

Time Expressions

Already, yet, just, ever, never, before

For, since, how long

Signal Words

Already, just, yet, ever, never, before, so far

For, since, how long, all day, all week, all month, all year

Use Present Perfect when describing completed actions or experiences with a clear result.
Use Present Perfect Continuous when emphasizing the duration or process of ongoing or repeated actions.
Look for time expressions and signal words to determine which tense is appropriate.

Cotton

Short text about a cute bunny.

Max

A story about a puppy.

Whiskers

Adventures of a small cat.