Present Perfect Simple vs Present Perfect Continuous

Look! ... that window.

• Somebody has broken

• Somebody has been breaking

Answer explanation

It's a completed action.

You look tired. ... hard?

• Have you been working

• Have you worked

Answer explanation

Action that happened until now. You can show its effect now (you look tired).

‘ ... in a factory?’ ‘No, never.’

• Have you ever been working

• Have you ever worked

Answer explanation

They're asking about a completed action.

Where’s Lisa? Where ... ?

• has she gone

• has she been going

Answer explanation

Completed action.

This is a very old book. ... it since I was a child.

• I've had

• I've been having

Answer explanation

Have meaning possession does not usually take a continuous form.

‘Have you been busy?’ ‘No, ... TV.’

• I've watched

• I've been watching

Answer explanation

We focus on the process, not the completion of the action.

My brother is an actor. ... in several films.

• He's been appearing

• He's appeared

Answer explanation

We're talking about a past experience and it's completed.

‘Sorry I’m late.’ ‘That’s all right. ... long.’

• I haven't been waiting

• I haven't waited

Answer explanation

We focus on the process, not the completion of the action.

Are you OK? You look as if ... .

• you've been crying

• you've cried

Answer explanation

The action continued until now and we can see the effects of the past action in the present (she has been crying).

‘Is it still raining?’ ‘No, ... .’

• it has been stopping

• it has stopped

Answer explanation

The action is completed.