Differences between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE VS PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Present perfect simple...

Uses the auxiliary verb have, followed by the participle.

Is used to talk about: 

• Actions that happened in the past but we don't say when. ex. We have studied abroad.
• Actions that started in the past and continue now. (For this cases we use for or since) ex. I have lived here since two years ago.
• Something that happened in the past but has a consequence in the present. ex. I have lost my keys, so I can't use my car.
• Actions that have finished recently. (For this cases we use just) ex. I have just finished my homework.
• Experiences and personal achievements. ex. I have travelled to Japan.
• Past actions that happened repeatedly. ex. I have bought here a lot of times.
• Superlatives. ex. Is the ugliest thing I've ever seen.

Present perfect continuous...

Uses the auxiliary verb have, followed by been and the verb in -ing.

Is used to talk about:

• Actions that have been done repeatedly in the past and still in progress. ex. She has been triying to reach that for a long time.
• Past actions that happened repeatedly and have a consequence in the present. ex. You have been running all day and now your body hurts.
• Emphasize how long we have being doing an action. (For this cases we use for) ex. I have been falling for thirty minutes.

EMMA ÁLVAREZ