Unit 10. Present perfect continuous and simple

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

We are interested in the result of activity, not in the activity itself. The ceiling was white. Now it is blue. She has painted the ceiling. Has painted is the present perfect simple.

- My hands are very dirty. I've been repairing the car - She's been smoking too much recently.   She should smoke less.

- The car is OK again now. I've repaired it. - Somebody has smoked all my cigarettes.   The packet is empty.

We use the continuous to ask or say how long. - How long have you been reading that book? - Mary is still writing letters.   She's been writing letters all day.

We use the simple to ask or say how much. - How many pages of that book have you read? - Mary has written ten letters today.

There are some verbs ( know / like / believe ) that are normally not used in the continuous:

• I've known about it for a long time. (not I've been knowing)