PAST ACTIONS OR STATES WHICH ARE

STILL CONNECTED TO THE PRESENT

 I have been working as an English teacher for 10

years.

 I have worked as an English teacher for 10 years.

 I’ve lived in Elche since I was born.

 I’ve been living in Elche since I was born.

PAST ACTIONS OR STATES WHICH ARE
STILL CONNECTED TO THE PRESENT

With the Present Perfect Continuous, you emphasize

that the activity has been repeated or happened
for a long time:

 I have been calling you all day. Where the hell

are you?

 I’m so sorry… How long have you been waiting?

PAST ACTIONS OR STATES WHICH ARE
STILL CONNECTED TO THE PRESENT

CAREFUL!!!
State verbs CANNOT be in the continuous form:

 I have known David since I came to Spain.

 My parents have had this house for 50 years

now.
 H OW LONG ?
H OW MUCH / MANY ?

 I have been reading this book for 5 hours.

How long? 5 hours

 I have read 130 pages.

How many? 130 pages

 FOCUS ON RESULT ?
FOCUS ON ACTIVITY / DURATION ?

Present Perfect Simple: focus on result

 You’ve cleaned the bathroom! It looks lovely!

 I’ve baked a cheesecake. Wanna try it?

Present Perfect Continuous: focus on activity itself.

 I’ve been gardening because it’s so nice out

there.

 The kids have been playing all morning, they

have so much energy.
 FINISHED ? UNFINISHED ?

 She has been reading a book about Halloween.

 She has read a book about Halloween.

SHORT ACTIONS THAT ARE FINISHED
 PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

Use the present perfect simple with actions which are

short and complete. For example: start, break,
finish…

 Ouch! I’ve cut my finger.

 Teacher, can I leave? I’ve finished my homework.

 PRESENT EVIDENCE 
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

 Put your shoes on. The grass is wet.

It has been raining.

 What’s been going on here?

The children have been cooking.

 BE CAREFUL!

I’ve been breaking my leg.

I’ve broken my leg.

I’ve been knowing them for ages

I’ve known them for ages.

I’ve been living here for many years.

I’ve lived here for many years.

 GOOD LUCK!

TIME FOR EXERCISES