Present perfect simple & Present perfect continuous

Present perfect simple & Present perfect continuous

Unit 3

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS -We use it for an action that happens over a period of time leading up to the present

"We've been waiting (=action) for twenty minutes" (= period of time=lasts up to the present, still waiting)"That burglar alarm has been ringing since eight o´clock this morning"

-We use it for repeated actions up to now

"Natasha has been playing piano since she was four"

-We also use it to talk about an action which ends just before the present

"I've been swimming. That´s why my hair is wet"

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

"We've finished our tour of Scotland"

"We've been touring Scotland"

"The wind has blown a tree over"

"A strong wind has been blowing all day"

"Vicky's here at last. She's run all the way"

"Vicky is out of breath. She's been running"

"I've been writing an essay. I'm tired now"

"I've written an essay. I can hand it in now"

WE NORMALLY USE THE CONTINUOUSFORM WHEN WE SAY "HOW LONG"

WE NORMALLY USE THE SIMPLE FORMWHEN WE SAY "HOW MUCH/HOW MANY"

"Rachel has played at least twenty CDs"

"Rachel has been playing music all day"

"Ive been ironing shirts since ten o'clock"

"I've ironed eight shirts"