present+perfect+simple+vs+present+perfect+continuous

Click here to review how to form the present perfect simple. Click here to review how to form the present perfect continuous.

Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning:
 * USES**
 * We use the //Present Perfect Simple// mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result (e.g. //I've studied Medicine//).
 * We use the //Present Perfect Progressive// to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action (e.g. //I've been studying for 5 hours!//).

See the difference between the emphasis on the **result** of the action (present perfect simple) and on the **duration** of the action (present perfect continuous):
 * I've written 5 emails.
 * I've been writing for 2years.

Remember that some verbs are not used in the continuous form: //know, believe, be, have got, hear, smell, understand//​, etc.

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