Ex. 4-Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

When the present perfect and present perfect continuous refer to actions that began in the past and continue at the present, either tense can be used with basically the same meaning.

He has taught here for five months.
He has been teaching here for five months.

Other times, the two tenses have different meanings.

He has read about John F. Kennedy. (He finished at some unspecified time in the past.)
He has been reading about John F. Kennedy. (He is still doing it.)

Instructions. Tell whether or not the sentences have the same meaning.

I have lived here for ten years.
I have been living here for ten years.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
He has read the report.
He has been reading the report.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
They have written a book.
They have been writing a book.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
She has taught English since she graduated from college.
She has been teaching English since she got out of college.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
They have gone to the movies a lot lately.
They have been going to the movies a lot lately.
1. Approximately the same meaning.
2. Different meaning.
We have traveled in Europe.
We have been traveling in Europe.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
I’ve watched a lot of basketball games recently.
I’ve been watching a lot of basketball games recently.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning
It’s rained for two hours straight.
It’s been raining for two hours straight.
1. Approximately the same meaning
2. Different meaning