Explanation
Use the simple present perfect for a result, a finished fact, or a number. Use the present perfect continuous for an activity that started in the past and is still going on, or is very recent and temporary.
For example, "I have been living in Tokyo for five years." Here "have been living" shows one action that started before now and continues now. "For five years" tells the length of time. Japanese often uses one form like "住んでいます" for both ideas, but English asks you to choose the focus.
結果、終わった事実、回数を言いたいときは、単純な現在完了を使います。過去に始まって今も続く動作や、一時的で続いている活動を言いたいときは、現在完了進行形を使います。
例えば "I have been living in Tokyo for five years." では、"have been living" が「過去に始まって今も続いている住み方」を表します。"for five years" はその長さを示します。日本語では「住んでいます」のように1つの形で両方を言えることが多いですが、英語ではどこに焦点を置くかで形を変えます。
Examples
- I have lived in Tokyo for five years. 私は5年間東京に住んでいます。
- I have been living in Tokyo for five years. 私は5年間東京に住み続けています。
- She has written two reports today. 彼女は今日レポートを2本書きました。
- She has been writing reports all morning. 彼女は午前中ずっとレポートを書いています。
- Have you been studying for the test? テストの勉強をずっとしているの？
- We have not seen him since Monday. 私たちは月曜日から彼に会っていません。
Common Mistakes
Japanese learners often use the simple present perfect for a long, still continuing activity. For that meaning, use the continuous form: "I have been studying English since April," not "I have studied English since April." Also, do not use the continuous form with stative verbs like "know": say "I have known her for years," not "I have been knowing her for years."
日本人学習者は、長く続いている動作でも単純な現在完了で言ってしまうことがあります。その意味では、"I have been studying English since April." のように現在完了進行形を使います。逆に、"know" のような状態動詞は進行形にしません。"I have known her for years." が自然で、"I have been knowing her for years." は不自然です。