From Practice to Theory

PRESENT PERFECT OR PRESENT PERFECT

CONTINUOUS

Mariana Kolarska

a recent action which

happened at an

unstated time in

the past

They have just moved into a new

house.

an action which

started in the past and is

still continuing in the present ;

state verbs

He has been a yoga teacher since 2002.

an action which has

recently finished and the result is visible in

the present

She has made a strange but beautiful

cake.

personal experien

ce or change

Tom has visited Uganda .

personal experien

ce or change

John has put on weight.

How do we form present perfect?

QUESTION

have has

participle II+

listen

ed

looked

wante

d

broug

ht

writte

n

Expressions

LatelyRecently

So farEver

Never

since for

just

yet

She has already /just washed the car.

I haven’t seen him since Monday.

I haven’t seen him for 3 days.

Have you called a taxi yet?She hasn’t finished yet.

alread

y

John has broken the vase in the sitting room.

experience

unstated time in the

past

result

change

The Smiths have tried different extreme sports.

change

result

experience

unstated time in the

past

Have you seen Carl lately?

change

unstated time in the

past

started in the past and

continues in the present

experience

Jenny has just finished the book.

results

experience

unstated time in the

past

change

COMMENT

Match the

pictures to the

sentences

1 2

Olivia has been making a cake for three hours.

She has just finished with it.

1

2

an action which

started in the past

and continues

in the present,

the emphasis is on the duration

1 2

Olivia has been making a cake for three hours.

She has just finished with it.

1

2

COMMENT

Match the

pictures to the

sentences

Mary has been eating chocolate all morning.

She has a stomach ache.

1

2

1 2

an action which

started in the past

and lasted for

some time. It

may have finished

or still be going on.

The result is visible in

the present.

Mary has been eating chocolate all morning.

She has a stomach ache.

1

2

1 2

How do we form present perfect

continuous?

QUESTION

have has

participle I+

lookin

g

writin

g dying

planning

been +

Expressions

sinceforall

morninglately

since for

lately

all morning

He hasn’t been feeling well lately.

They have been reading for 3 hours.

They have been reading since 9 am.

Jane has been cleaning the house all morning.

I … this essay for two hours.

write

have written

have been writing

am writing

Tom is not here, he … the room.

is leaving

leaves

has just left

has been leaving

Mary and John … a lot of countries in Asia.

visit

have been visiting

have visited

are visiting

Have you … talked to a famous person?

never

yet

ever

already

Dear Katie,How are you?

I’m finally in New York and I

………………………… a wonderful

time. -------------------------

------------

am having

have

I ………………………

…time to write because we

……………….. busy

every day.

-------------------------

------------

haven’t had

not/have; be

are

I ………………………

…a lot of

fascinating people so far! I

……………….. some friends.

-------------------------

------------

have met

meet; even/make

have even made

New York is so different from Radomir. The

noise

……………….. me up at night.

-------------------------

------------

keep

is keeping

We ……………….. much sightseeing

yet, but we

…………………..out every night.

-------------------------

------------ not / do; go

haven’t done

go

The group leader

……………….. us to the Statue

of Liberty.

-------------------------

------------ take

has taken

I ………………..

forward to hearing from you

Mariana

-------------------------------------

look

‘m looking

SPEAKING

Share with us about any experience you’ve gained lately or change in your life.

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hobbiesfood

Use Present Perfect Tense