PRESENT

PERFECT
VS
PRESENT
PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
 e.g. He has written 16 books.
PRESENT We use the present perfect tense to
PERFECT talk about things where there is a
connection between the past and the
future.

He started writing books at some

time in the past. So far, he has written
Action 16 books. He may write more books.
completed at
some point in
the past
There is a result in present

NOW
AS WELL AS THE PRESENT PERFECT
SIMPLE, WE CAN USE THE PRESENT
PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE TO
TALK ABOUT EVENTS WITH A
CONNECTION TO THE PRESENT.

Study the following examples:

I have painted the living room blue.

I have been decorating the house this summer.
I HAVE PAINTED I HAVE BEEN
THE LIVING ROOM DECORATING THE
BLUE. HOUSE THIS SUMMER.

The focus is on the

The focus in on the
result.
action – decorating
The activity is – and the action is
finished and we can unfinished.
see the result now.
We use the present perfect continuous when
the focus is on an activity that is unfinished.

PAST
NOW
I’VE READ THAT BOOK I’VE BEEN READING THAT
YOU LENT ME.  BOOK YOU LENT ME. 
I’VE GOT ANOTHER 50 PAGES TO
I FINISHED IT. READ.

The present perfect The present perfect

simple (I’ve read) continuous (I’ve been
gives the idea of reading) suggests
completion. that something is
unfinished.
SHE’S BEEN WRITING SHE’S WRITTEN 10
EMAILS FOR 3 HOURS. MESSAGES.

The present perfect The present perfect

continuous (has been simple (has written)
writing) talks about talks about how
how long something much/how many have
has been happening.  been completed.
THE PRESENT • For
PERFECT IS USED • Since
WITH THE • Already
FOLLOWING TIME
• Yet
EXPRESSIONS:
• Always
• Just
• Ever
• Never
• So far
• Today
• This week/month
• How long
• Lately
• Recently
• Still (in negations)