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If the Present Perfect is used to focus on the completed action and on the result, why do we say:

"I have been cycling (Present Perfect Continuous) all day and my legs are really tired now."

The action of cycling has completely finished.

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    Not necessarily. You might say it while you were still cycling.
    – Kate Bunting
    Jan 6, 2021 at 12:23
  • The present perfect is not the same as present perfect continuous.
    – gotube ♦
    May 2, 2022 at 3:34

2 Answers 2

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This use of the present perfect continuous focuses on an action that has recently stopped but its effects are still apparent. The action = cycling all day (duration) has recently stopped but the effects = tired legs are still continuing.

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You have been cycling all day

Situation 1: You have just finished cycling.(but the action continued until now)

Situation 2: You are still cycling.

Visualize yourself cycling and telling someone that you have been cycling all day.

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