Present_perfectsimpleand continuous_in_English

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

The Present perfect Simple

Form

*Past participle. - Regular verbs: verb+ ed -Irregular verbs: (3rd column)

Use

I have seen the Hunger Games three times

They have finished their homework

James has lived in this town for more than five years

With recently completed actions

TIME EXPRESSIONS

• Recently completed actions. already/ yet / just /

They have just done the washing up.

• Past actions connected with the present.

A) /for / since/ We have been here for a week. We have been here since last Tuesday. B) so far /lately / this week, this month, this year.. We haven´t gone to the capital so far.

• Personal or long lasting experiences. Emphasis on number. never / ever / once, twice, three times, etc.

Have you ever ridden a horse?

Yes. I´ve ridden a horse three times

No, I have never ridden a horse

With long lasting actions: EVER and NEVER

SUMMARIZING: We can use the Present Perfect Simple with long lasting experiences

And we can also use it with recently completed actions

HAVE

As long as they are actions that connect the past with the present…

Long lasting experience (=in my life)

Recently completed action

The Present perfect Continuous

Form

uses

USE:

• Recent past actions. The speaker wants to emphasize the action he7She has been doing.

She’s been trying to contact you all day.

• Actions started in the past and continuing up to the present

The detectives have been searching for clues since yesterday. (They are still searching)  Emphasis on duration and the action itself. It may continue in the present and even in the future I have been waiting for Jim for ages Time expressions : How long / for /since

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE VS. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

What is important is the number of times an action has been done or its result

• Martha has done her homework (=she´s finished it)

• She’s been to Paris twice (number of times she has travelled to Paris)

What is important is the activity. and its duration It may continue in the present and even in the future

• Martha has been doing her homework for three hours (It has taken long).
• I have been waiting for the postman since 4.30 and he hasn´t come yet

FOR and SINCEThey answer the question HOW LONG….? (Cuánto tiempo) which can be answered with both present perfect simple and present perfect continuous.

With FOR and SINCE