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? Present Perfect Simple

The document explains the differences between the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous tenses, highlighting their common use for actions that started in the past and are still relevant. The Present Perfect Simple focuses on the result or completion of an action, while the Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration or ongoing nature of an action. Guidance is provided on when to use each tense, including examples and notes on stative verbs.

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3 views7 pages

? Present Perfect Simple

The document explains the differences between the Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous tenses, highlighting their common use for actions that started in the past and are still relevant. The Present Perfect Simple focuses on the result or completion of an action, while the Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration or ongoing nature of an action. Guidance is provided on when to use each tense, including examples and notes on stative verbs.

Uploaded by

kevingcruz0303
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

VS
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
Dra.Youselin Rodríguez
WHAT DO THEY HAVE IN COMMON?

Both tenses are used to describe actions or situations that started in the past
and are still happening now or have just finished.
• Often used with “since” and “for”.
• In some cases, both tenses are correct, but they emphasize different things.
(have / has + past participle)
Focuses on the result or the completion of an action.
Also used with stative verbs like know, believe, have, be,
which usually don’t take the -ing form.

We use it to:
PRESENT • Talk about finished actions with present relevance.
PERFECT SIMPLE • Talk about life experiences.
• Describe ongoing states or facts that are still true.

Examples:
• I have known Sarah since college.
• He has worked at the hospital for five years.
• We have visited Rome several times.
(have / has been + verb-ing)
Focuses on the duration or the ongoing nature
of an action.

We use it to:
• Emphasize how long something has been happening.
PRESENT • Describe actions that started in the past and may still
PERFECT be happening now.
CONTINUOUS • Highlight recent activity with visible results.

Examples:
• She has been reading that book all afternoon.
• They have been living abroad since March.
• What have you been doing lately?
Present Perfect Present Perfect
Simple Continuous

I have written I have been writing


three emails today. emails all morning.
SIDE-BY-SIDE
COMPARISON
Tom has learned Tom has been
Spanish. learning Spanish.

We have had that We have been taking


dog for years. care of the dog all day.
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH ONE TO
USE?

Ask yourself:
• Are you emphasizing the result? → Use Present Perfect Simple
• Are you emphasizing the duration or process? → Use Present
Perfect Continuous
• Important tip:
Don’t use continuous with stative verbs (like know, believe, love):
I have been knowing her →
I have known her for years →
Aspect Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Continuous

Structure have/has + past participle have/has been + verb-ing

Focus Result / Completion Duration / Ongoing process

- Completed actions with present - Actions that started in the past and
relevance are still happening
When to use it
- Life experiences - To emphasize how long something
- With stative verbs has been happening
SUMMARY
Common time since, for, ever, never, just,
since, for, lately, recently
expressions already, yet

I have been writing articles all


Example 1 I have written three articles.
morning.

She has lived in New York since She has been living in New York
Example 2
2015. since 2015.

Used with stative


Yes (e.g., know, have, be) No
verbs?

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