Context : Let say, I have just joined to a company and I want to ask my new friend how long he has been working here.
Using Present perfect:
How long have you worked here ?
Or
using Present perfect continuous tense ?
How long have you been working here ?
According to the image below:
Image credit: http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/presentperfectcontinuous.html
So my answer is using present perfect continuous
because I think he started in the past and he's still working at that office now. Am I right ?
Please include the reason on your answer as well.
Best Answer
Either would be correct in this context.
Generally, the present perfect simple tense describes what has been happened so far, while the present perfect continuous suggests that something is ongoing or unfinished. The distinction isn't strong enough in this question to make a big difference.
Looking at two possible responses to the question might highlight the differences better.
Similarly, one could say: