When Both Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive are Correct

For many verbs, there is a clear difference between the present perfect and present perfect progressive tenses. However, for verbs such as live, work, study, and teach, things can be a bit more nuanced. These are actions that are typically ongoing over extended periods, and there is often no significant difference in meaning between the two tenses. This article will explore when both present perfect and present perfect progressive can be used, and how they are used in different contexts.

Living, Working, and Studying: A Common Ground

When discussing actions like live, work, study, and teach, it is common for native speakers to use the present perfect progressive. For example:

I’ve been living here since 2009.

However, if you use the simple present perfect instead, such as:

I’ve lived here since 2009

it is equally correct and conveys the same meaning. Both sentences indicate that the action of living in this place began in the past and continues up to the present moment.

Focus on Duration vs. Completion

The choice between the present perfect and present perfect progressive often depends on the emphasis you want to place on the duration of the action. The present perfect continuous (present perfect progressive) focuses on the duration of the action, suggesting that the situation is still current. For example:

Tom: Are you a resident of Middleville?

Sally: Oh yes. I’ve been living here since 2009.

In this context, Sally’s response strongly emphasizes that she has been living in Middleville for a long time and that this situation is still ongoing. The use of the present perfect continuous highlights the duration of her residence.

Similarly, for work, you might see:

Charlie: I’m a relative old-timer at Acme Hardware. I’ve been working here for two years.

Molly: That’s nothing! I’ve worked here since 2009.

Here, Molly’s response emphasizes both the duration of her employment and the fact that she started working there a long time ago and continues to do so.

Using Present Perfect to Emphasize Duration

While the present perfect continuous (present perfect progressive) is often used to emphasize duration, you can also use the present perfect to highlight the long duration of an action. For example:

Jill: I’m a relative old-timer here. I moved to Middleville in 2015.

Jack: That’s nothing! I’ve lived here since 2009.

Jack’s response uses the simple present perfect to emphasize that he has been living in Middleville for a significantly longer period than Jill, without needing to use the continuous form.

The Role of Time Markers

When using the present perfect progressive, it is important to include a time marker such as “since” or “for” to indicate the duration of the action. Without a time marker, the tense shifts to the simple present perfect, which does not require a specific time reference. For example:

Tom: Are you a resident of Middleville?

Sally: Oh yes. I’ve lived here since 2009.

Here, “since 2009” provides the necessary context that the action is still ongoing.

When using the simple present perfect, it is technically incorrect to use “since” as a time marker:

Tom: Are you a resident of Middleville?

Sally: Oh yes. I’ve lived here since 2009.

While this might be heard in casual conversation, it is not grammatically correct in formal writing or speech. However, it does not change the meaning of the sentence.

Similarly, the use of “for” is acceptable:

Tom: Who has been working here the longest?

Molly: I’ve worked here for 10 years.

This sentence correctly uses “for” to indicate the duration of Molly’s work.

Conclusion

Both the present perfect and present perfect progressive can be used when discussing ongoing actions like live, work, study, and teach. The choice between the two often depends on the emphasis you want to place on the duration of the action. Regardless of which tense you choose, the core meaning remains the same: the action has been ongoing until the present.