Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous
- 2. e.g. He has written 16 books. We use the present perfect tense to talk about things where there is a connection between the past and the future. He started writing books at some time in the past. So far, he has written 16 books. He may write more books. PRESENT PERFECT NOW Action completed at some point in the past There is a result in present
- 3. AS WELL AS THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE, WE CAN USE THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE TO TALK ABOUT EVENTS WITH A CONNECTION TO THE PRESENT. I have painted the living room blue. I have been decorating the house this summer. Study the following examples:
- 4. I HAVE PAINTED THE LIVING ROOM BLUE. The focus is on the result. The activity is finished and we can see the result now. I HAVE BEEN DECORATING THE HOUSE THIS SUMMER. The focus in on the action – decorating – and the action is unfinished.
- 5. We use the present perfect continuous when the focus is on an activity that is unfinished. NOW PAST
- 6. I’VE READ THAT BOOK YOU LENT ME. I FINISHED IT YESTERDAY. The present perfect simple (I’ve read) gives the idea of completion. I’VE BEEN READING THAT BOOK YOU LENT ME. I’VE GOT ANOTHER 50 PAGES TO READ. The present perfect continuous (I’ve been reading) suggests that something is unfinished.
- 7. SHE’S BEEN WRITING EMAILS FOR 3 HOURS. SHE’S WRITTEN 10 MESSAGES. The present perfect continuous (has been writing) talks about how long something has been happening. The present perfect simple (has written) talks about how much/how many have been completed.
- 8. I’VE WORKED HERE FOR THIRTY YEARS. We can use the present perfect simple to talk about how long when we view something as permanent. I USUALLY WORK IN LONDON BUT I’VE BEEN WORKING IN BIRMINGHAM FOR THE LAST 3 WEEKS. The present perfect continuous is often used to show that something is temporary.
- 9. SOMETIMES THERE’S REALLY NO DIFFERENCE IN MEANING BETWEEN THE TWO TENSES. THIS IS ESPECIALLY THE CASE WITH VERBS SUCH AS ‘LIVE’, ‘WORK’ AND ‘STUDY’. • I’ve studied French for ten years. • I’ve been studying French for ten years. • They’ve lived in London since 2004. • They’ve been living in London since 2004. • He’s worked at the company since 2009. • He’s been working at our company since 2009.
- 10. • For • Since • Already • Yet • Always • Just • Ever • Never • So far • Today • This week/month • How long • Lately • Recently • Still (in negations) THE PRESENT PERFECT IS USED WITH THE FOLLOWING TIME EXPRESSIONS:
- 11. • For • Since • How long • Lately • Recently THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS IS USED WITH THE FOLLOWING TIME EXPRESSION:
- 12. 1. Linda ……………………………………… (travel) around Europe for three months. 2. She ……………………………………………………… (visit) six countries so far. 3. Jimmy ……………………………………………… (play) since he was five years old. 4. He ……………………………………… (win) the national championship four times. 5. Bill and Andy ………………………………… (make) ten films since they left college. 6. They ……………………………………………… (make) films for many years now. 7. Look! Somebody ………………………………………………… (break) the window. 8. I ………………………………………………… (read) the book you gave all morning. 9. But I …………………………………………………… (not finish) it yet. 10. Sorry I’m late. That’s all right. I …………………………… (not wait) for a long time. 11. Peter …………………………………………… (clean) the windows for some time. 12. So far he ………………………… (clean) five of them and there are two more to go. 13. My brother is an actor. He ……………………………… (appear) in several films. 14. I …………………………………………………… (learn) Chinese for two years now.