Grammar: present perfect and present perfect continuous

Grammar: present perfect and present perfect continuous

By the end of this lesson you will have

• examined how to form and use Present Perfect Continuous tense

• understood the difference in use between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Continuous

Form

Present Perfect vs. Present perfect continuous

I have done vs. I have been doing

Multiple Choice

We focus on the result of an action

• Present Perfect: She has done her homework. Now she can go outside for a walk.

• Present Perfect Continuous: She has been doing her howework since morning.

Multiple Choice

We focus on the duration of the action

• Present Perfect: He has repaired his car. Now he can travel to work.

• Present Perfect Continuous: He has been repairing the car for 2 hours.

Rule #2 Result vs. duration

Present Perfect: focus on result of a finished action

Present Perfect continuous: focus on duration of unfinished action;

Multiple Choice

The action is completed; the result is emphasized

• Present Perfect: I have painted the living room blue.

• Present Perfect Continuous: I have been painting the house this summer.

Multiple Choice

The action is unfinished and in progress

• Present Perfect: I have painted the living room blue.

• Present Perfect Continuous: I have been painting the house this summer.

Rule #1 Finished vs. unfinished action

Present Perfect: focus on result of a finished action

Present Perfect continuous: focus on duration of unfinished action

Multiple Choice

Tell how much/how many times something has been completed

• Present Perfect: She has written 10 messages, but received no reply.

• Present Perfect Continuous: She has been writing messages for 2 hours.

Multiple Choice

Talks about how long something has been happening

• Present Perfect: She has written a few emails this morning.

• Present Perfect Continuous: She has been writing emails for 3 hours.

Rule #3 How much/how many times vs. how long

Present Perfect: tells how much/how many times

Present Perfect continuous: tells how long the action has been happening

Multiple Choice

Unfinished action: something is permanent

• Present Perfect: I have worked here for 30 years and I have no intention to change my job.

• Present Perfect Continuous: I usually work in London, but I have been working in New York for the last 3 months.

Multiple Choice

Unfinished action: something is temporary.

• Present Perfect: She has studied psychology for the last 10 years and she is about to write her book.

• Present Perfect Continuous: I usually study at school but I have been studying at home for the last 6 months.

Rule #4 Permanent action vs. temporary action

Present Perfect: used for permanent unfinished action

Present Perfect continuous: used for temporary unfinished action

Multiple Choice

A recent action, which has either just finished or interrupted. This tense introduces a reason or explanation.

• Present Perfect: She looks really exhausted. She has worked without holidays for 2 years.

• Present Perfect Continuous: She looks really exhausted. She has been working without holidays for 2 years.

Multiple Choice

With state verbs (like, be, believe, hate, love)

• Present Perfect: I've been a teacher since 2018.

• Present Perfect Continuous: I've been being a teacher since 2018.

Rule #5

Present Perfect: used with state verbs (when the verb means state not action)

Present Perfect continuous: used for explanation of the present state or reason for the recent action

Exit ticket

Choose all the possible uses of

Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

Multiple Select

We use present perfect (I have done something...):

• to emphasize result of a finished action, or to say how much/how many times something has been completed

• to emphasize duration of unfinished action or say how long something has been happening

• permanant unfinished actions (long-term)

• with state verbs (like, hate, prefer, be)

Multiple Select

We use present perfect continuous (I have been doing something...):

• for temporary unfinished action

• to emphasize duration of unfinished action or say how long something has been happening

• to emphasize result of a finished action, or to say how much/how many times something has been completed

• to give the reason/explanation for a recent action which has just finished