Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

I suppose that these two forms of present tense confuse, raise lots of questions and annoy the English language learners. In my opinion, the most of the irritation is caused by the range of different meaning and situations these forms are used at.

We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.

So I want to point out the differences between Past Simple and Present Perfect, Present Perferct and Present Perferct Continuous.

Past Simple vs Present Perfect

When the time of an action is not important or not specified (it's not mentioned at all), you can use Present Perfect.

Use Past Simple when details about the time or place that an action occured are given or requested (yesterday, few weeks ago, in certain year, month, etc.)

I have been to Paris.

I was in Paris last year.

Present Perferct and Present Perferct Continuous.

The Present Perfect Continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed. The present perfect simple is generally neutral. To take long story short you can ask the question "How long ... " to the Present Perfect Continuous.

We've been looking forward to this holiday for ages. = How long have you been looking forward?

He's broken his leg and is in a lot of pain. = We can't ask "How long has he broken his leg?"

Present Perfect is mostly about result and Present Perfect Continuous - process.