To choose the correct verb form between Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous, it's important to understand the nuances between these two tenses.
I'm very sorry that I have (broken/been breaking) your cup.
- Correct: broken
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used here because "breaking a cup" is a completed action with a present result (the cup is broken).
Oh, it's not ready! You have (written/been writing) this composition for the whole day.
- Correct: been writing
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration of an ongoing activity that has not been completed.
Ann's clothes are covered in stains. She has (painted/been painting) since morning.
- Correct: been painting
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous indicates an ongoing activity that has been happening over a period of time.
I have (known/been knowing) her for many years.
- Correct: known
- Explanation: "Know" is a stative verb, and stative verbs are typically used in the Present Perfect Simple when expressing duration.
Where is Tom? I haven't (seen/been seeing) him today.
- Correct: seen
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used for actions that have occurred at some indefinite time in the past, such as not seeing Tom today.
You are so dirty! What have you (done/been doing)?
- Correct: been doing
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous is used to ask about an activity that has been happening recently and has visible results (being dirty).
This is the best book I have ever (read/been reading).
- Correct: read
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used for life experiences or achievements, especially when the action is complete.
Someone has (eaten/been eating) my sweets. They are nearly all gone but the box was quite full a week ago.
- Correct: eaten
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used because the action of eating the sweets is complete, and there is a noticeable result.
Where have you been? I have (waited/been waiting) for you for ages.
- Correct: been waiting
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration of the waiting, which started in the past and continues to the present.
Look! Somebody has (stolen/been stealing) your luggage.
- Correct: stolen
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used to indicate a completed action with a present result (the luggage is gone).
You have (driven/been driving) all day. Let me drive now.
- Correct: been driving
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the ongoing nature of the activity up to the present moment.
You are very red. Have you (run/been running)?
- Correct: been running
- Explanation: Present Perfect Continuous is used to explain a recent activity that has a visible effect (being red).
She has (had/been having) twelve driving lessons up to now.
- Correct: had
- Explanation: Present Perfect Simple is used here to indicate a completed series of lessons up to the present.
In summary, the Present Perfect Simple is often used for completed actions with present relevance, life experiences without specifying time, and with stative verbs. In contrast, the Present Perfect Continuous is used for actions that started in the past and are still continuing or have recently stopped, with an emphasis on the duration.
