present perfect continuous and simple

Ann's clothes are covered in paint. She has been painting the ceiling. Has been painting is the present perfect continuous. We are interesting in activity. It does not matter whether something has been finished or not. In this example (painting the ceiling) has not been finished.

The ceiling was white. Now it is blue. She has painted the ceiling. Has painted is the present perfect simple. Here, the important thing is that something has been finished. 'Has painted' is a completed action. We are interested in the result of the activity (the painted ceiling), not in the activity itself.

Compare these examples:

My hands are very dirty. I've been reparing the car. She's been smoking too much recently. She should smoke less. It's nice to see you again. What have you been doing since we last met? Where have you been? Have you been playing tennis?

The car is OK again now. I've repaired it. Somebody has smoked all my cigarettes. The packet is empty. Where's the book I gave you? What have you done with it? Have you ever played tennis?

We use the continuous to ask or say how long (for an activity that is still happening): How long have you been reading that book? Mary is still writing letters. She's been writting letters all day. They've been playing tennis since 2 o'clock.

We use the simple to ask or say how much, how many or how many times (completed actions): How many pages of that book have you read? Mary has written ten letters today. They've played tennis three times this week.

QUIZ:

Germany hasn't won the World Cup or Germany hasn't been winning the World Cup	Click for answer Germany hasn't won the World Cup
I've sold my bike to Mike or I've been selling my bike to Mike?	Click for answer I've sold my bike to Mike
John's just swum or John's just been swimming?	Click for answer John's just been swimming
I've started flying lessons or I've been starting flying lessons	Click for answer I've started flying lessons
David's cooked or David's been cooking?	Click for answer David's been cooking
Have you stopped eating or Have you been stopping eating?	Click for answer Have you stopped eating