Present Perfect Simple

The structure: Subject + has/have + verb (past participle)

Actions which happened Actions that happened Actions which were

in the past, but we do in the past and their completed a short time
not mention when results are obvious in ago (usually with just)
exactly the present
E.g., I have just bought
E.g., I have lost my E.g., Derek has washed this CD.
sunglasses. his car

Time expression: always, ever, never, before, so far, yet, already, just, once, twice, for,
since, how long, recently, etc

Note: Have/has gone means that someone has gone somewhere and is still there
(E.g., Joan has gone to the gym – she is still there)

Have/has been means that someone has visited a place but has come back (E.g.,
Joan has been to China – Now she is back)

Present Perfect Continuous

The structure: Subject + has/have + been + verb (+ing)

Actions which started in Actions which were

the past and continue up
to the present
E.g., The children have
been watching TV for four
hours.
happening for a period of
time in the past and may
have finished, but their
results are obvious in the
present
E.g., He is exhausted. He has
been cleaning the house all
day.

Time expression: for, since, how long, all day/week, etc

 Past Perfect Simple vs Past Simple

We use the Present Perfect Simple: We use the Past Simple:

- For actions that happened in the
past but we don’t say when
exactly.
E.g., I have tasted Mexican food.
-For actions that started in the past and
are still happening in the present.
E.g., Ted has worked as a waiter for two
years. (He is still working)
-For actions that happened at the
definite time in the past
E.g., I tasted Mexican food last night.
-For actions that started and were
complete in the past.
E.g., Ted worked as a waiter when he was
a student. (He is not working now)

Present Perfect Simple vs Present Perfect Continuous

We use the Present Perfect Simple: We use the Present Perfect

Continuous:
-To emphasize the result of an action. -To emphasize the duration of an action.
E.g., I have called him three times this E.g., I have been calling him since 9
morning. o’clock.