Present perfect simple vs. Present perfect continuous

[Nola]

Could anybody explain me the essential difference between the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous?

Thank you all

[Mister Micawber]

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The essential difference is that the former focusses on the act/event (completed or incomplete), and the latter focuses on the action/movement.
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Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Alan]

Hi Nola,

The point about the present perfect continuous is that it indicates that the action will probably go on into the future.

I have worked for 6 hours indicates the period from then (6 hours ago) until now and the indication is that you are now going to stop. I have been working for six hours covers the same period but also hints at the idea that you haven't stopped and will continue to work.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story In short

[Molly]

[Nola]

Thanks everybody for explanation. But what about the difference between the following sentences?
** I lived in the USA for 3 years.
** I have lived in the USA for 3 years.
** I have been living in the USA for 3 years.

Let me know what you think.
Thanks

[Alan]

Hi Nola,

Let's go through them:

(1)I lived in the USA for 3 years. This means at one period in your life you lived there for three years. It has no connection with now.

(2)I have lived in the USA for 3 years. This suggests you are still there or possibly that you lived there for that period of time in answer to a question like: Have you ever lived abroad? This brings the idea of (1) into a present conversation.

(3)I have been living in the USA for 3 years. This suggests that you are still there and the chances are you are going to go on living there.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Adverbs

[Nola]

Meaningly, the Past simple refers only to the past. (Our memories that will never come back)
The present perfect refers to a connection between the past and the present.
The present perfect continuous refers to a connection between the past and the present and it is still ongoing in the future.

Thanks Alan for your help

Nola

[Stew.t.]

Hi Nola

The present perfect suggests a finished point up to the present from the past more so than the continuous.
And if you would want to know how to use them defined by function then this would be as Alan indicates the distinction.

I have been studying English for IT for 2 years (now) versus
I have studied English for IT for 2 years.

The first suggesting that the course is longer than 2 years, that latter suggests a recently finished course.

Although some speakers may not exclusively use these as above, they would be more accurate indicators of the subtleties of their usage.
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[Molly]

[Mohammed Shenashan]

both of them refer to actions started in the past and continue up to the present but the present perfect progressive emphasizes the duration of an action while the present perfect simple emphasizes the result of an action.
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