I have lived here all my life vs I have been living here all my life

Question

everybody says there is a little difference between these two but nobody seems to know what is exactly the difference:
1. I have lived here all my life vs I have been living here all my life.
2. I have worked here all my life vs I have been working here all my life.
3. It has rained all day vs it has been raining all day.

please show me that little difference.
Thank you!!!

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

The short answer is that the non-continuous form is more of the statement of a historical fact; the continuous form is more vividly descriptive. The non-continuous form is opaque; the continuous form is transparent. There is very little real difference.

See .
See

You might also be interested in simple vs continuous and .

CJ

Mister Micawber · Answer

The progressive form stresses the durational aspect of the activity-- it often occurs as a result of slightly more emotion or involvement on the part of the speaker.

Anonymous · Answer

Use the present perfect plus for or since to talk about actions and states that started in the past and are still true now. (I have lived here all my life ... I have lived here since I was born ... I have lived here for 25 years.)
- since + beginning of a period of time
- for + a period of time

Use present perfect continuous with for or since with action verbs (learn, go, etc). With non-action verbs use present perfect simple NOT the present perfect continuous with for and since.
With live and work you can use present perfect continuous or present perfect simple. (I have been living here since 2005 = I have lived here since 2005)
Use present perfect continuous for actions that have been going on very recently. They have usually just stopped.

You might want to take a look at http://eslvietnamzone.com/expressing-actions-english-language/ (I am not sure if the moderator will allow this link but if he/she will then that article might be useful).

Anonymous · Answer

is this sentence true:i have living here

Philip · Answer

Anonymousis this sentence true:i have living here

No, it isn't correct. Use I have been living here or I have lived here.

Grammarfreak · Answer

AnonymousUse the present perfect plus for or since to talk about actions and states that started in the past and are still true now. (I have lived here all my life ... I have lived here since I was born ... I have lived here for 25 years.)
- since + beginning of a period of time
- for + a period of time
Use present perfect continuous with for or since with action verbs (learn, go, etc). With non-action verbs use present perfect simple NOT the present perfect continuous with for and since.
With live and work you can use present perfect continuous or present perfect simple. (I have been living here since 2005 = I have lived here since 2005)
Use present perfect continuous for actions that have been going on very recently. They have usually just stopped.

This explanation seems to cast more confusion to the same question. As CJ explained, present perfect cont. is a more descriptive version of the non-continous, and as far as the core meaning is concerned, there isn't really much difference, except the continous suggests higher importance of the present. There are situations and contexts that we should be aware when determining which one to use as the meaning may differ.

I have studied French for 5 years - This meant I started studying French 5 years ago and may still be true up to recent past. But my studying may not be continous, or may have been interrupted and resumed during this process. However, " I have been studying French for 5 years " unmistakably tells the reader the act of studying is still true.

He has lied to me several times. - This said: His lies began sometime in the past and went on for a while. No suggestion if the lying is ongoing.
He has been lying to me. - Lying is ongoing.

I have lived here all my life vs I have been living here all my life

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