![electricity bill](https://s3.amazonaws.com/smrtenglish.com/smrt-120/Unit%2008/electricitybill.jpg)
A: Why is the bill cheaper than before?
B: Because we've been using less electricity.
Present Perfect Simple or Continuous?
Review
In Grammar 8-1, we studied that the Present Perfect Simple is often used to describe finished past actions that relate to the present:
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/smrtenglish.com/smrt-120/Unit%2008/8-2g2.jpg)
The light has turned green. You can go!
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/smrtenglish.com/smrt-120/Unit%2008/8-2g3.jpg)
The room has been painted blue. It looks much better now.
![](https://s3.amazonaws.com/smrtenglish.com/smrt-120/Unit%2008/8-2g4.jpg)
It's much quieter in here now that I've closed the window.
In this usage, English speakers are focusing on the present result of the completed action:
- The light has turned green. You can go!
- Present result = The light is green now. You can go.
- The room has been painted blue. It looks much better now.
- Present result = Now, the room is blue.
- It's much quieter in here now that I've closed the window.
- Present result = The window isn't open anymore.
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