Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present, they both have similarities and difference on structure but mainly in usage. 

• The present perfect usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focus on the activity itself in some way.  

  Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasize that a situation is temporary. For example: 

  I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to the one in the shopping center. 

​ Present Perfect

Focuses on the result

Says 'How many'

Describes a completed action

Present Perfect Continuous

Focuses on the activity

Says 'How long

Describes an activity that may continue

When we can see evidence of recent activity