Learn English – How to ask a person how long he has been working in an office

perfect-constructionspresent-perfecttense

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:

diagram showing past/present/future timeline

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.

(present perfect simple) I've worked here five years and I've loved every moment of it!

(present perfect continuous) I've been working here five years, but it's only recently that I was transferred to this office.

Similarly, one could say:

(present perfect simple) He's worked three hours today [he might work more, or he might go home after this].

(present perfect continuous) He's been working the whole morning [and he's still not done with his work].

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