How i can differentiate between present perfect and present perfect continous

Question

how i can differentiate between present perfect and present perfect continous , as (since) and (for) are both in the guiding words for both ???i need help !

Avangi · Accepted Answer

Fady Manchesterpresent perfect and present perfect continous

Hi, Fady. Welcome to English Forums.

Would you mind writing a sentence to illustrate the way you're thinking of one or the other or both?

Looking at the grammar, you might find it helpful to think in terms of the difference between present simple and present continuous.

He eats breakfast every day. He is eating breakfast right now.

Note the presence of the verb "to be" in the continuous.

He has eaten breakfast. He has been eating breakfast since eight o'clock.

Note that the present perfect uses the main verb (to eat) in the past participal form ("eaten"),

while the present perfect continuous uses the auxilliary "to be" in the past participal form ("been").

Both continuous tenses use the main verb in the present participle form ("eating").

Too much information?

The present perfect continuous has "been" and the present perfect does not.

The present perfect continuous has the main verb as a present participle ("eating").

The present perfect has the main verb as a past participle ("eaten").

The difference in meaning is chapter two.

Thanks, - A.

Fady Manchesterhow i can differentiate between

Note that question order is "How can I differentiate between . . . . . ???"

Fady Manchester · Answer

here are the sentences

1- I .... to phone you since this morning .

Choose ( have tried or have been trying )

2- He ...... really hard since the last Olympic games .

Choose ( has been training or has trained )

3- for the last few months , they ..... tennis regularly .

Choose ( have played or have been playing)

>> i found that both choises in each of these questions ... would make the sentence right ... the meaning is realistic .

note : Sorry , my Englsih isn't good enough to express my point !!!

CalifJim · Answer

Fady ManchesterHow I can differentiate between present perfect and present perfect continuous

I assume you want to know how to choose between them when writing or speaking.

With since or for, my guess is that the continuous is more common and preferable unless you have a stative verb that doesn't take the -ing forms. In any case, the continuous form suggests more speaker involvement when both forms are available.

I have known that for years. (know doesn't take -ing forms).

I have been saying that for years. (say allows -ing forms.)

Also: I have said that for years.

She has had that car since 2002. (have doesn't take -ing forms.)

She has been driving that car since 2002. (drive allows -ing forms.)

Also: She has driven that car since 2002.

CJ

How i can differentiate between present perfect and present perfect continous

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