Present perfect

Question

Hopefully you will understand what I'm trying to get. (Because I'm not a native speaker. What do you think about my English?^^)

So. It's about the present perfect.

When I say: I have had a great time.
Does that mean that I really HAD a great time and now I have an experience.
Or can it mean that I still have a great time.

(Because: I've been learning English for 2 years - So you're still learning, aren't you ?! )

Does "I have been having a great time" exist? If yes, what would be the difference? (I know- continuous is focused on the action, and simple on the result....)

Another one:
I have been waiting for two hours. - You're still waiting, aren't you?
And I noticed when I say that it's STILL happening I use continuous. Is only continuous still happening? And simple is already finished? You know what I mean?

Thanks!
LS

Dimsumexpress · Accepted Answer

louiST: I have had a great time.

In form, it is correct. Example: You invited me and my wife to you villa for the weekend. Before I depart, chances are, we would be more likely to say to you: "thank you so much for inviting us. We had a wonderful time". The wonderful time came to an end.

louiSTI've been learning English for 2 years -

In Jan 2010, you began learning English. You met a new friend recently and during the chat, you said: " I've been learning English for 2 years". That's perfect English!

louiST"I have been having a great time"

Again, in formit is correct and it is possible one can say that with the right context. More likely version is " I am having a good time here...."

louiSTI have been waiting for two hours.

Your friend told you to meet her at a local Startbuck at 1 pm. So you arrived on time. After consuming three cups of Latte and two hours of surfing on the internet, you finally saw your friend walking in with shopping bags. Then you can screaming at her " what's matter with you? I've waiting for you for two hours! The creaming may not be a good thing, but giving her a piece of your mind certainly is reasonable.

Even though the waiting at that moment is finished and technically "had been.." would be more grammatically correct, conversationally and practically, people are more likely to express the unhappy emotion in present perfect continuous.

This link may help you untangle these "perfect cobweb":

http://www.grammaring.com/the-difference-between-present-perfect-and-present-perfect-continuous

Dimsumexpress · Answer

MY fingers and my mind are out of sync again. It should be:
" what's matter with you? I've [been] waiting for you for two hours!"

LouiST · Answer

Thank you so much! Very nice answer, even though I haven't a villa yet. <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/> haha

Present perfect

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