Difference between “have” and “have been”?

Question

Tell me all you know.

First of all I thought they both mean doing a continuous action until the very present, until I saw the other post on pretty much the same topic. I feel what that post provide is incomplete so seek to get a more complete understanding of their difference.

Here is what it says: have is less of a continuous action than have been.

Have worked here, may indicate that you have been working or are working until now. It may also indicate you no longer work here but did in the past. This however sounds to be like a situation in which "had" is more appropriate.

One of the comments on that post, provide an exception. If you say "I have worked here since two years ago" it means you still work here. Now, I am confused how so trivial a preposition may change what "have" means. Hope someone can provide more exceptions like this.

Answer 1

1. I've worked here since two years ago

And

2. I've been working here since two years ago.

The obvious difference between these sentences is the first sentence uses present perfect simple and the second sentence uses present perfect continuous. In many contexts, these tenses are interchangeable. However, we use present perfect continuous to emphasise the continuity of the action or event. Let's take a look at the sentences above, in the first sentence: The continuity of the event is not important. In the second sentence: You emphasise the lenght of time you're working there.

Another important thing about the usage of present perfect continuous and present perfect simple is, present perfect simple is typically used for stative verbs. For instance,

I've known him for six years.

It would sound weird if you say

I've been knowing him for six years.

To conclude, there is no quite difference between these two tenses. But the usage depends on the suitability in a context.

Answer 2

Interesting question. Let's look at two sentences.

1. I have worked at the candy store.
2. I have been working at the candy store.

The first sentence is in the present perfect tense. The second sentence is in the present perfect continuous tense.

The first sentence implies you worked at the candy store in the past but maybe no longer work there. The second sentence implies you are still working at the candy store.

---

I'll give two more comparisons that may help you.

1. I have worked here since two years ago.
2. I have been working here since two years ago.

These examples mean the same thing, even though the second sentence is in the continuous tense and the first is not.

1. I have dated Allison.
2. I have been dating Allison.

The first sentence means you dated Allison in the past, but it implies you are no longer dating. The second sentence means you are still dating Allison in the present.

Answer 3

The comment on the post saying "I have worked here since two years ago" is continuous because of the end phrase "since two years ago". The "since" makes it seem like you are still working at this place. "Have been" is preferred over "have" when it comes to actions that continue into the present. Using "have" may be confusing to the reader.