Published at February 17, 2025

Course on Present Perfect Continuous vs. Simple - TOEIC® Preparation

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The present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple are two tenses in English that may seem similar but have distinct uses. Both serve to establish a link between the past and the present, but each emphasizes a different aspect of the action or situation.

The present perfect continuous emphasizes duration, continuity, or effort of an ongoing or recently completed action, often with visible effects in the present.
The present perfect simple, on the other hand, focuses on the final result, a completed action, or an accomplished fact that has importance in the present.

To emphasize duration or effort: Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect continuous is used when you want to emphasize the duration of an activity or the effort made. The action may be still ongoing or just finished, with visible effects.

We have been reviewing the sales data for two hours.
(The emphasis is on the time spent working on the data, and the activity may continue.)
He has been preparing the presentation all morning.
(The continuous effort to prepare the presentation is highlighted.)
They have been trying to reach a decision about the new marketing strategy.
(The emphasis is on the prolonged effort without a clear final result.)

To emphasize the result or accomplished fact: Present Perfect Simple

The present perfect simple is preferred when talking about the final result or a completed action, regardless of the duration or effort involved.

We have reviewed the sales data.
(The work is finished, and the emphasis is on the result obtained, not the process.)
He has prepared the presentation.
(The presentation is ready; the focus is on the accomplished fact, not the effort.)
They have decided on the new marketing strategy.
(The action is completed, and the focus is on the conclusion, not the process.)

Talking about a state or observable result

When a recent activity leaves visible or felt effects, the present perfect continuous is generally used. If simply talking about a fact or accomplishment, the present perfect simple is more appropriate.

Present perfect continuous:

The floor is dirty. Someone has been walking in with muddy shoes.
(The emphasis is on the recent activity explaining the current situation.)
She looks tired because she has been working overtime.
She looks tired because she has been working overtime.

Present perfect simple:

The floor is clean. The janitor has cleaned it.
(The emphasis is on the final result - the clean floor -.)
She has finished her shift and left the office.
(The focus is on the facts, not the duration or effort.)

With certain verbs

Some verbs can be used in both the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous, while others follow specific rules.

Verbs that can be used in both forms

Verbs like live, work, and study can be used in both the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous, without a notable change in meaning.

He has lived in Paris for ten years.
He has been living in Paris for ten years.

Note

In these cases, the emphasis is slightly different:

The present perfect continuous puts a bit more emphasis on the ongoing activity.
The present perfect simple is often preferred for more permanent or stable facts.

Peculiarity with "always"

With "always", only the present perfect simple is possible, as it indicates a habit or a permanent situation.

He has always worked for this company.

Action verbs compatible with the present perfect continuous

Action verbs (also called dynamic verbs) describe activities or processes. They are commonly used in the present perfect continuous, especially to highlight the duration or effort associated with an activity.

These verbs include actions like: work, study, travel, run, write, build...

The list of action verbs is available here:

🔗 List of dynamic verbs for the TOEIC®

She has been working on the project since Monday.
We have been negotiating with the supplier for three hours.
He has been traveling for business all week.

State verbs (stative verbs)

Stative verbs, like know, own, believe, like, describe states rather than continuous actions. They are not used in a progressive form.

The list of stative verbs is available here:

🔗 List of stative verbs for the TOEIC®

I have known Sarah since 2015.
He has owned this car for ten years.

Verbs indicating permanent situations

For situations considered permanent, the present perfect simple is the standard form, even if they involve actions like live or work.

Ken has been in London since 9 o'clock this morning.
*Here, we are talking about a state, so the progressive form is not possible.
I have lived in London all my life.
*Here, the situation is considered permanent, so the present perfect simple is preferred.

Conclusion

In part 5 of the TOEIC®, you often find fill-in-the-blank sentences that test your understanding of the difference between the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous. These exercises are designed to assess your ability to choose the appropriate tense based on the context of the sentence.

To prepare well for the TOEIC®, you can discover our other courses on the perfect: