Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Sandra Sarmento

USE

Both tenses are very similar.

There are sentences where we can use the Present Perfect or the Present Perfect Progressive.

The focus in the progressive form is on the course of the action.

It has rained since Monday. → (It has rained - at least once or now and then.)

It has been raining since Monday. → (It has been raining every day since Monday.)

Poll

What have you done this year?

• I have studied

• I have stayed at home

• I have watched series

• I have read books

Poll

What have you been doing today?

• I have been studying

• I have been sleeping

• I have been using the cellphone

• I have been playing games

• I have been relaxing

Multiple Select

Which sentences are correct?

• She’s been writing a book. (present perfect continuous - focus on the action)

• She’s written a book. (Present perfect simple – focus on the result)

• They’ve been negotiating the contract. (focus on the action, it’s not important if it’s finished or not)

• They’ve negotiated the contract. (focus on the result,the negotiation is finished)

Multiple Select

Which sentences are correct?

• I‘ve known him for ten years

• I‘ve been knowing him for ten years

• I‘ve been belonging to the tennis club for 25 years

• I‘ve belonged to the tennis club for 25 years

Multiple Choice

We ________ cars since 1 o'clock and we aren't finished. (repair)

• have been repairing

• have repaired

• repaired

• have repairing

Multiple Choice

Fortunately, I ______ my credit card. Here it is. (find)

• have been finding

• have found

• have founded

Multiple Choice

I ________ my keys since we came home. Where are they?! (look for)

• have looked for

• looked

• have been looking for

Multiple Choice

How many puddings ____ she ____ ? (make)

• has she been making

• has she made

Multiple Choice

What ____ you _____ ? You are so dirty! (do)

• have you been doing

• have you done

Multiple Choice

Why are you crying? - I ____a film. (watch)

• have watched

• have been watching

Multiple Choice

Joy _____ you a letter. Look! (send)

• has sent

• has been sending

• have sent

Multiple Choice

How many times _____ Charles______ New York?

• has Charles visited

• has Charles been visiting

• have visited

Multiple Choice

He ________ his essay all day, but he ________ yet.

• have been writing - haven't finished

• have written - have finished

• has been writing - hasn't finished

Multiple Choice

You look dirty. What _______ all day?

• have you been doing

• have done

• has you done

Multiple Choice

When the action/event is more temporary we often use present perfect continuous. When it is more permanent we often use present perfect simple.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

"She’s tired because she’s been working hard."

Why was the present perfect continuous used?

• Present perfect continuous is used to talk about an activity/event that has finished

• Present perfect continuous is used to talk about an activity/event that has recently finished and has a result or consequence now