USE
1.
We use Present Perfect Simple to focus on the result of an activity.
She has painted six pictures.
(How many pictures has she painted? - Six pictures. Result - six pictures.)
We use Present Perfect Continuous to focus on the activity itself.
She has been painting for two hours.
(How long has she been painting? - For two hours. Activity - painting.)
2.
We often use Present Perfect Simple with the verbs that have the idea of a short time or a single action (break, buy, cut, find, finish, lose, start, stop, etc.)
James has broken the cup.
We often use Present Perfect Continuous with the verbs that have the idea of a long time or a repeated action (learn, live, play, rain, study, teach, try, wait, work, etc.).
It's been raining for two hours.
3.
We usually use Present Perfect Simple with the question words "How much / How many".
How many pictures has she painted?
We usually use Present Perfect Continuous with the question words "How long".
How long has she been painting?
4.
We use Present Perfect Simple with the words "just, already, ever, never, yet".
I have just finished my homework.
We do not use Present Perfect Continuous with the words "just, already, ever, never, yet".
NOT: I have just finishing...
5.
We use Present Perfect Simple with stative verbs (understand, believe, remember, etc.)
Ann has known Jason for five years.
We do not use Present Perfect Continuous with stative verbs (understand, believe, remember, etc.)
NOT: Ann has been knowing...
6.
We use Present Perfect Simple with the verb "be".
I've been much happier recently.
We do not use Present Perfect Continuous with the verb "be".
NOT: I've been being...
7.
We use Present Perfect Simple with the verb "have" (possession).
I've had this car since 2020.
We do not use Present Perfect Continuous with the verb "have" (used for possession),
NOT: I've been having...
But we use Present Perfect Continuous with the verb "have" (used for action).
I've been having classes with this teacher for five months.
8.
We usually use Present Perfect Continuous with the words "since, for, how long, all (day), recently, lately", except:
- stative verbs;
- the verb "have" (used as possession);
- the verb "be";
- the result is more important than the action.
In these cases, we use Present Perfect Simple.