Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense

recent events, especially news

Have you heard? President Trump has announced that he and his wife were infected by covid-19!

action at unspecified time in the past

Have you (ever) finished reading the Bible?

I've been to Labuan Bajo

with state verbs, to say how long a situation has existed.

we use for, since or how long

recent events that have a result in the present

https://forms.gle/t76giX18YFyphzPZ7

Exercise

Present Perfect Continuous

Action that have been happening recently and repeatedly

with dynamic verbs to say how long an action has been in progress.

we use for, since or how long

to explain a current situation in terms of recent events.

https://forms.gle/jG88kyXGPNkqqmye6

Exercise

points of contrast

we use the simple form to emphasize that an action is complete.

Compare

I've been reading The Little Prince. (I'm half way through)

I've read The Little Prince. (It was great!)

If we specify an exact number of occasions, we cannot use the continuous form.

We've been arguing a lot.

We've argued twice this week.

(NOT we've been arguing ...)

we can use the simple or continuous form with already and just.

I have already used it.

I have already been using it.

I have just spoken with Tasya.

I have just been speaking with Tasya.

However, we do not use the continuous form with yet.

Has he gone yet?

(NOT Has he been going yet?)

https://forms.gle/oj1bNRj9Xx4AqV1x8

exercise