present perfect versus perfect cont.

Timespace TravellerLook! Somebody has broken / has been breaking that window.

Which one is correct? To me, 'has broken'.

Look! Somebody has broken / is breaking that window

Has broken.

Has been breaking gives an idea that it was an action over some time. I would say 'Look! someone has been breaking those windows', but not for a single window.

To break is instantaneous. Avoid the continuous for such verbs, except where you can't show longer activity, as in Nona's example.

has been broken

Nona The BritHas broken.

Has been breaking gives an idea that it was an action over some time. I would say 'Look! someone has been breaking those windows', but not for a single window.

what is the difference between the two? when would you use one and when the other? Could you possibly give a context where they would fit?

She has broken the cup!

She has been breaking biscuits into little pieces ever since she was a child! (it is a lifelong nervous habit).

not for a single window.

Actually, it could be for a single window.
Suppose the window had to be broken into tiny pieces for use in some other process, and that because it was a special kind of glass that was very tough, the breaking process was very time consuming.

They have been breaking that window for hours.

(I know - far-fetched - bu