PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

VS
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT PRESENT PERFECT

SIMPLE CONTINUOUS

ACTIONS COMPLETED IN THE ACTIONS THAT STARTED IN THE

PAST, WITHOUT MENTIONING PAST AND CONTINUE IN THE PRESENT
WHEN THEY OCCURRED: WITH EMPHASIS IN THE DURATION:

I have studied a lot. He has been reading since 11

am

ACTIONS THAT STARTED IN THE

TO TELL HOW MANY TIMES WE PAST, HAVE JUST FINISHED AND
HAVE DONE SOMETHING: HAVE A VISIBLE RESULT IN THE
PRESENT:
She has seen that movie I am tired because I have been
twice. working for three hours.

kEY WORDS: kEY WORDS:

just how many all day long since

already times...? for
always all night long
yet for
once all morning
never since
twice How long...?
ever
times a long time

With the verbs LIVE, WORK AND STUDY, there is no difference

in meaning:
They've lived in London since 2004.
They've been living in London since 2004.

I've studied French for ten years.

I've been studying French for ten years.

He's worked at the company since 2009.

He's been working at our company since 2009.

THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

FOCUSES ON THE FACT THAT THE
ACTION IS COMPLETED:
I've read the book you recommended.
(I've finished it, so we can talk about
it).
FOCUSES ON THE ACTION ITSELF:
I've been reading the book you
recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but
I'm not finished).

THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE IS THE PREESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

USED WHEN THE ACTION IS FINISHED
AND THE RESULT COMES FROM THE
ACTION BEING FINISHED.
I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.
She's done all her homework, so she can
relax this evening.
I've made a cake. Would you like some?
IS USED WHEN THE RESULT COMES
FROM THE ACTION ITSELF. IT
DOESN'T MATTER IF THE WHOLE
ACTION IS FINISHED OR NOT. The
result is often something we can
see, hear, smell, or feel:
I've been eating dinner, so there are
plates all over the table.
She's been doing her homework, so she's
tired.
I've been making a cake, that's why the
kitchen is such a mess.

WITH STATIVE VERBS (indicate state, DON'T USE PRESENT PERFECT

sense, desire, possession, or opinion) CONTINUOUS WITH STATIVE VERBS:

They've known each other for ten They've been knowing each other for
years ten years.