Present Perfect Simple

EMPOWER B2 PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE & PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUO

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We use the present perfect simple:

• to talk about experiences without saying when they happened

He’s tried to run a marathon four times in his life.

• for experiences during any present period of time

What have you learnt so far this year? 

• with superlatives

She’s the nicest person I’ve ever met.

• for recent completed actions which have a result in the present.

Oh no! I’ve broken my key.

• ​with already, just and yet

I’ve already done the shopping, I’ve just put the food in the oven, but I haven’t laid the table yet. 

• to talk about how long with state verbs (with for / since)

​I’ve known them for years but I haven’t seen them since January. 

• with how many, how much and how often to talk about experiences

How many essays have you written? 

Why Present perfect

We often use present perfect for talking about something which happened in the past which is important now.

My teacher has given me some homework. (= I have the homework to do now.)

I’ve forgotten. (= I can’t remember now.)

She’s broken her leg. (= Her leg is still broken now.)

We also use present perfect with just for talking about a recent action.

My sister's just made a cake.

Is the present perfect only used for recent events?

No, not at all. We also use it for life experiences which happened at any time in the past. The person’s life, which continues in the present, is the link to the present.

She’s won a Nobel prize

I've been to Finland before.

We use the present perfect continuous: 

• when a recently completed action has a result now

She’s tired because she’s been training hard. 

• to describe repeated activities which started recently

I’ve been going to the gym a lot recently. 

• to talk about unfinished activities using how long and for / since

We’ve been walking since the sun came up. 

​Present Perfect Continuous

​FORM: have/has been Ving

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​I have been working here since 2019.

Why present perfect continuous

Because we’re more interested in the action than the result.

Watch out!!!!!

No present perfect cont with certain verbs.

understand, know, etc

I've known her for a long time :)

I've been knowing him for a long time :(

Multiple Choice

She’s furious with her husband because --------------their new car.

• he’s been crashing

• he's crashed

Multiple Choice

How long -----------your laptop?

• have you been having

• have you had

Multiple Choice

How long have you here?

• waited

• have been waiting

Fill in the Blanks

I (work) ---------------- in this compony for a very long time.

Fill in the Blanks

She (live) ---------- in Dubai 2 years ago.

Fill in the Blanks

We (have) ----------- a holiday for ages.

Multiple Choice

How many times have you ------------ that film?

• seen

• been seeing