Simple Past vs Present Perfect and Present Perfect Progressive

Front

Present Perfect or Present Perfect Progressive: Use

Back

These tenses show that something started in the past but was not completed. The action continues up to the present and may continue into the future.

Front

When we use the following verbs:

live, work, teach, wear and study

the meaning is the same in the present perfect of present perfect progressive

Back

I've lived in Miami for 2 years.

I've been living in Miami for 2 years.

I've worked in the hotel for 3 months.

I've been working in the hotel for 3 months.

Front

Using "for" and "since"

Back

"For" is used for a period of time to show how long a present condition has been true.

I've worked here for 9 years.

"Since" is used with a point of time to show when a present condition started.

I've worked here since last year.

Front

Time expressions like:

for the past week, for the last two weeks, for the past year mean the action is not completed.

Back

I've taken English classes for the past six months.

I've been working on this homework for the last hour.

Front

Present Perfect for Indefinite Time

Back

The present perfect is used without "for" or "since" to show that something happened at an indefinite time in the past and was completed.

She's posted new photos.

Front

We can add adverbs of time like:

already, yet, ever, never, lately, and recently

already, yet, just and recently are also used with the simple past in American English.

Back

I've already finished my homework.

I haven't had breakfast yet.

Have you seen Lina lately?

Front

Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

Use the present perfect for things that might happen again in a time period. Use the simple past for things that probably won't happen again in that time period.

Back

She's done three posts this week.

She did three posts this week.

(today, this morning, this year)