PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

& CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

FORM: have /
participle
USES:
1. LIFE
Ive been to
Shes ridden

has + past

EXPERIENCES
China
a horse

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

2. ALREADY, JUST & YET
Theyve just left
Shes already called her
friend
They havent finished yet

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

SUPERLATIVES & THE FIRST,
SECOND, LAST TIME, ETC
Its the best meal Ive ever had
Its the first time hes given a
speech

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

3. CONNECTION PAST & PRESENT
Ive sprained my ankle, as you
can see
Hes lost his keys

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

4. HOW LONG / FOR/ SINCE (NONACTION VERBS:be, have, know,
like, etc)
Ive known Maria for 10 years
Theyve had that car since
2007

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

5. HOW MUCH / HOW MANY
How many books have you
written?
Ive spent too much money

PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
FORM: HAVE / HAS + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES:
1. HOW LONG / FOR / SINCE WITH ACTION VERBS
(action started in past & continues now)

How long have you been feeling like

this?

Shes been travelling by bus for 5 years

PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
2. REPEATED ACTIONS, ESPECIALLY
WITH TIME EXPRESSIONS LIKE ALL DAY,
RECENTLY, ETC
I have been arguing with my husband
lately.
The phone has been ringing all day.

PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
3. CONTINUOUS ACTIONS THAT HAVE JUST
FINISHED (WITH RESULT IN THE PRESENT)
Hes been running all day. Hes dead!
A: Look at your hands! Theyre so
filthy!
B: I know. Ive been painting the
living room

SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE:
Emphasis on the RESULT of the
action
Ive painted my living room
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
Emphasis on the DURATION of the
action
Ive been painting my living room