"I've been working" vs "i was working"

Question

"I've been working" vs "i was working"

Both "I was working" and "I've been working" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "I was working" is used to talk about a specific past action that happened at a particular time in the past. On the other hand, "I've been working" is used to talk about an action that started in the past and is still continuing or has just been completed.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

Use "I've been working" to describe an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has just been completed. It emphasizes the duration or continuity of the action.

Examples:

I've been working on this project for hours.
She's been working at the company for five years.
They've been working on the assignment since morning.

Alternatives:

I have been working
I have been doing work
I have been engaged in work
I have been occupied with work
I have been laboring

Use "I was working" to describe an action that occurred at a specific time in the past. It indicates that the action was ongoing at that time.

Examples:

I was working on my project when you called.
She was working at the office yesterday.
They were working on the assignment all night.

Alternatives:

I worked
I was doing work
I was in the middle of working
I was engaged in work
I was occupied with work

Answer 1

I've been working

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about an action that started in the past and is still continuing or has just been completed.

Answer 2

i was working

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about a specific past action that happened at a particular time in the past.

"I've been working" vs "i was working"

I've been working

i was working

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