Matching Pairs Present PerfectOnline version Present Perfect Simple and Continuous by Sofia Tsou 1 To say how many times 2 To explain the 'side effects' of an activity, e.g. why the kitchen is a mess 3 When the action is more important 4 To talk about a finished activity 5 To talk about a recent action which might not be finished 6 To talk about life experience 7 When the result is more important 8 To say how long They have been to Spain. You have been working here for 10 years. I have already washed the dishes. He has been studying all afternoon. We have cooked dinner. She has been running. I have watched this movie three times. We have been cooking dinner.