Present Perfect (Pp) – to have + V III

1. Resultative Perfect: action that happened at an unstated time in the past and whose result is visible in the present

We have installed a new, more efficient computer system in the company.

(the exact time is unknown or unimportant. What is important is the
fact that we now have a new computer system which is more efficient)
I have recovered from my illness. (I’m now well again)
Ann doesn’t look very well. She has had flu.
She has broken her leg. (Her leg is broken) vs She broke her leg yesterday.

2. Continuative Pp: action or state which started in the past and continues up to the present – Since, For

I have known Mary for 2 years. How long have you known her?
I have been a teacher since 1980. How long have you been an engineering consultant
I haven’t spoken to her ever since. for this company?
She has made several phone calls since coffee break.

Verbs which do not take continuous forms: → Pp

feel think (cred) like have need

smell mean love own cost
see believe hate possess depend
taste know want belong contain
hear understand care owe matter
sound realize prefer concern
appear suppose wish consist
seem expect forgive include
look (=seem) remember dislike involve
be forget refuse lack
mind promise need
doubt agree deserve
suppose disagree measure
imagine surprise weigh
feel (have an opinion)
(general
(perception) (mind) (emotion) (possession) characteristic)

3. Pp of experience: what has happened, once or more than once, within the speaker’s experience
It may be accompanied by adverbs of indefinite time or frequency.
(ever, never, often, seldom, sometimes, always, twice, just, yet, already
lately, recently, before, after, because etc)

I have already seen this movie.

The research team has already issued a report, which will be made public on Monday.
Paul hasn’t solved the problem yet.
He has just left.
I have always walked to work.
I haven’t seen much of him lately.
Have you ever traveled by plane?
How often have you been abroad so far?
I have traveled to Italy twice.
Our company has received the international quality award twice.
4. Uncompleted period of time: reference to a time period which is not finished at the moment of speaking
(perioada in mijlocul careia inca ma aflu: actiunea se mai poate repeta in cadrul aceluiasi interval)

today, all day (long), this year, this month, this week, this century, in the 21st century,
these days, this term etc.

(July) We have traveled a lot this summer.

(September) We traveled a lot this summer.

We have worked hard this month.

We have launched two new models this year.
I’ve been very busy these days.

PAST Pp

Yesterday for two years

Two years ago since 2000
Last week ever since
When I was 10 since I was 10
When I was a kid so far, up to now, up to the present
In my childhood How long … ?
In the 20th century
In 1982
Dead persons

Yes, I saw it yesterday. Have you seen this movie?

Shakespeare wrote many great plays.

N.B. Future tenses are never used in adverbial temporal clauses (when, as soon as, while, till/until,
whenever, before, after).
Instead we use the corresponding form of the present tense: Future simple → Present simple
Future Cont. → Present Cont.
Future Perfect → Present Perfect

As soon as the lesson ends, Tom will go out to play.

I’ll give her the message when she comes back.
While I am filling in a telegram form, he will be withdrawing some money from the bank counter.
We will have a press conference as soon as we have received the company’s annual report.

Pp
1. Momentul actiunii absent
2. Since, For (verbele care nu primesc -ing)
3. Adverbe nedefinite
4. Perioada in mijlocul careia ma aflu
Pp Continuous – have been + Ving

1. Since, For – activity which started in the past and continues up to the present and may go on in the future as well.
Continuative value
I’ve been playing the piano since I was 10. -- iterative meaning
They’ve been sleeping for 2 hours.
She’s been talking on the phone for an hour.
The children have been playing in the park since 4 pm.
We’ve been living in this house for 20 years.
John has been working here since he left school.
How long have you been teaching here?

2. An action which has started in the past and lasted for some time. The action may have (recently) finished or may still
be going on, but it is relevant to the current situation because its result is visible in the present. “Resultative”

I’m tired … I’ve been checking all those pieces of furniture.

You’re covered in paint! What have you been doing?

I’ve been decorating the living room.

His eyes are bloodshot. He’s been revising for an exam (all night).
He has oil on his face. He’s been servicing the car.

I’ve been thinking of you.

3. To express anger, irritation or annoyance – “emotive” reading; Emotional value

You've been asking for money over and over again.

Somebody has been giving away our plans.