Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous

Present Perfect Simple or

Present Perfect Continuous

2014

Present Perfect Simple

- We use the Present Perfect Simple when we express that an action is completed, finished recently or emphasises its result.

- The main verb form is, Have + past participle verb (3rd column)

Has

- Puts emphasis on the result.

Example:

They haven't eaten three cupcakes.

- Action that is still going on.

Example:

The party has already started.

Examples and Uses...

Action that stopped recently.

Example:

He has watered the plants.

Finished action that has an influence on the present

Example:

I have lost my cellphone.

Examples and Uses...

Action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example:

I have never been to Disney World.

Examples and Uses...

Already. Ever. Just. Never. Not yet. So far. Till now. Up to now.

Words that can help you to identify Present Perfect Simple.

State: be, have (for possession only)Example: We have had a dog for a month.

Senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touchExample: She hasn't tasted the caviar.

Brain work: believe, know, think, understandExample: I have believed him for ages.

Verbs that can only be used with Present Perfect Simple.

Present Perfect Continuous

• We use the Present Perfect Progressive when we emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.

• The main verb form is,

Have + BEEN + verbing

Has

Puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)

Example:

Tom has been walking for hours. Action that recently stopped or is still going on.

Example:

I have been working here since 1999.

Examples and Uses...

Finished action that influenced the present

Example:

We have been studying all afternoon.

Examples and Uses...

All day. For years. Since 1993. How long? The whole week

Words that can help you to identify Present Perfect Continuous

We can't use with Present Perfect Continuous verbs related to:

Senses , Brain work or States

I have been thinking about you (It suggests the action is unfinished)

It's better to say...

I have thought about you

Let's compare the following sentences:

She’s been writing emails for 3 hours.(It focus in the action. Progress)

She’s written 10 emails.(It focus in the result. Completed)

LET'S PRACTICE

I. Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive)

1. I (play) football for five years.

2. My team (win / only) two matches so far.

3. The others (be / always) better.

4. Are we not there yet? We (walk) for hours.

5. But we (cover / only) an area of five miles so far.

6. I (finish/just) my homework.

7. I (work) on this essay since two o'clock.

8. Jane (go out) with Bob for seven years.

9. Martin (date) three girls this week.

10. How long (wait / you) for us?

1.I have been playing football for five years.

(Emphasis in the duration)

2. My team has only won two matches so far.

(Emphasis in the result)

3. The others have always been better.

(Emphasis in the result. Verb Be isn't used with

Progressive form)

4. Are we not there yet? We have been walking for hours.

(Emphasis in the duration)

How long have you been waiting(i) for us?

5. But we have only covered an area of five miles so far.

(Emphasis in the result)

6. I have just finished my homework.

(Emphasis in the result)

7. I have been working on this essay since two o'clock.

(Emphasis in the result)

8. Jane has been going out with Bob for seven years.

(Emphasis in the duration)

9. Martin has dated three girls this week.

(Emphasis in the result)

10. How long have you been waiting for us?

(Emphasis in the duration)

1. A: (you / play / ever) tennis?

2. B: I (play / only) tennis once or twice. And you?

3. A: I (learn) tennis for two years.

4. B: (you / take) part in any competitions yet?

5. A: I (participate) in four contests this year.

6. B: (you / win) any prizes so far?

7. A: No, I (win / not) anything yet. I'm not that good yet. (you / enter / ever) a contest?

8. B: I (swim) for seven years and I (receive / already) some trophies.

II. Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present

Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: Have you ever played tennis? (Result)

2. B: I have only played tennis once or twice. And you?

(Result)

3. A: I have been learning tennis for two years.

(Duration)

4. B: Have you taken part in any competitions yet?

(Duration)

5. A: I have participated in four contests this year.

(Result)

6. B: Have you won any prizes so far?

(Result)

7. A: No, I haven't won anything yet. I'm not that good yet. Have you ever entered a contest?

(Result)

8. B: I have been swimming for seven years and I have already received some trophies.

(Duration - Result)

Material selected byDanitza Lazcano Flores

Teacher of EnglishMaster in Education andEducational counselor