3.

4 Present Perfect Simple

and Continuous
When do we use the Present Perfect
Simple and Continuous?
We use the Present Perfect Simple to focus on the result of an
activity. We use the Present Perfect Continuous to focus on the
duration of the activity or on the fact that the activity is
unfinished.

I’ve made a hat. Do you like it?

My mum’s been making a new hat. I can’t wait to wear it

when it’s finished!
A: How long have you been working on that hat?
B: A week. It’s not an easy job. I haven’t made a hat
before!
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 Read the text. How many examples of the Present
Perfect Simple can you find? And how many
examples of the Present Perfect Simple?

People have been wearing jeans for more than 140

years. During that time, jeans have been both work
clothes and fashion clothing. For decades, young
people have been setting new fashion trends for
jeans but, surprisingly, the popularity of their
original indigo blue colour hasn’t changed. Have
you bought any jeans recently?

There are two

threeexamples
examplesofofthe
the
Present
Present
Perfect
Perfect
Simple. Look!
Continuous.

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How do we choose between the Present
Perfect Simple and Continuous?
Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Continuous

They’ve sold a lot of jewellery. They’ve been selling jewellery all day.

She hasn’t chosen her outfit for the party yet. She’s been trying on outfits in her bedroom.

I’ve worked as a fashion designer for three years. I’ve been designing clothes since I was ten.

How long has Matt known Tom?

They’ve been friends for a long time. We can use for and since
with both tenses.

We use the Present

We use the Present Perfect
Perfect Simple when
Continuous when we want to focus Remember that with
we want to focus on
on the duration of the activity state verbs (have, know,
the result (or lack of
or suggest that the activity may be, etc.) you can only use
result) of the activity.
continue. the Present Perfect
Simple.
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 Practice Time
Complete the sentences with the Present Perfect
Simple or Continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1. haven’t had
I ______________________ (not have) anything to eat since breakfast.

have been
2. We ______________________ (learn) English since we were six, and we’ll have to study it next year too.
learning

has never liked (never/like) going to the hairdresser’s.

3. She ______________________

have been
4. They ______________________ (sit) in the classroom for ten minutes, and the teacher still hasn’t arrived.
sitting

’ve known
5. I ______________________ (know) my best friend for five years.

Has anyone
6. ______________________ (anyone / tell) Oliver the good news?
told

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