Download - Present Perfect Simple Continuous

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE & CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

FORM: have / has + past participleUSES:

1. LIFE EXPERIENCESI’ve been to ChinaShe’s ridden a horse


2. ALREADY, JUST & YET

They’ve just leftShe’s already called her friendThey haven’t finished yet


SUPERLATIVES & “THE FIRST, SECOND, LAST TIME”, ETC

It’s the best meal I’ve ever hadIt’s the first time he’s given a speech


3. CONNECTION PAST & PRESENTI’ve sprained my ankle, as you can see

He’s lost his keys


4. HOW LONG / FOR/ SINCE (NON-ACTION VERBS:be, have, know,

like, etc)I’ve known Maria for 10 yearsThey’ve had that car since 2007


5. HOW MUCH / HOW MANY

How many books have you written?

I’ve spent too much money

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FORM: HAVE / HAS + BEEN + VERB + INGUSES:1. “HOW LONG / FOR / SINCE” WITH ACTION VERBS (action started in past & continues now)

How long have you been feeling like this?

She’s been travelling by bus for 5 years


2. REPEATED ACTIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH TIME EXPRESSIONS LIKE ALL DAY,

RECENTLY, ETCI have been arguing with my husband lately.

The phone has been ringing all day.


3. CONTINUOUS ACTIONS THAT HAVE JUST FINISHED (WITH RESULT IN THE PRESENT)

He’s been running all day. He’s dead!

A: Look at your hands! They’re so filthy!B: I know. I’ve been painting the living room

SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?

With “How long?, For & Since” we can use both. However, we prefer the continuous for shorter, temporary actions.We’ve lived in London since 1980We’ve been living in London since 1980We’ve been staying in a hotel for the last month

SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE: Emphasis on the RESULT of the actionI’ve painted my living roomPRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:Emphasis on the DURATION of the actionI’ve been painting my living room