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What's The Difference Between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

The document discusses the difference between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses. It provides examples showing that the present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of an activity, while the present perfect continuous focuses on the ongoing activity itself. It also explains that the present perfect continuous emphasizes continuity of an action or situation, whether finished or not, while the present perfect tense focuses on completed actions or situations. Finally, it notes that the present perfect continuous is used for more temporary actions while the present perfect describes longer-lasting or permanent situations.

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311 views

What's The Difference Between Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

The document discusses the difference between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses. It provides examples showing that the present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of an activity, while the present perfect continuous focuses on the ongoing activity itself. It also explains that the present perfect continuous emphasizes continuity of an action or situation, whether finished or not, while the present perfect tense focuses on completed actions or situations. Finally, it notes that the present perfect continuous is used for more temporary actions while the present perfect describes longer-lasting or permanent situations.

Uploaded by

Caca Icha
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 DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Present Perfect and Present Perfect

Continuous
Do you know the difference between We've painted the room and We've been
painting the room?

Look at these examples to see how the present perfect simple and continuous are used.

We've painted the bathroom. 


She's been training for a half-marathon.
I've had three coffees already today!
They've been waiting for hours.

We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present
perfect continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or
states which are still connected to the present.

Focusing on result or activity


The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way,
and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way. 

Present perfect simple Present perfect continuous

Focuses on the result Focuses on the activity

You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks


I've been gardening. It's so nice out there.
lovely!

Says 'how many' Says 'how long'

She's read ten books this summer. She's been reading that book all day.
Present perfect simple Present perfect continuous

Describes a completed action Describes an activity which may continue

I've written you an email.  I've been writing emails.

When we can see evidence of recent


 
activity

The grass looks wet. Has it been raining?


 
I know, I'm really red. I've been running!

Ongoing states and actions


We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about
ongoing states.

How long have you known each other?


We've known each other since we were at school. 

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about


ongoing single or repeated actions.

How long have they been playing tennis?


They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.

Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasize that a situation is temporary.

I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so
I've been going to the one in the shopping centre. 
Difference between Present Perfect and
Present Perfect Continuous tenses
The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about a continuous, but not
necessarily finished action or situation.

The present perfect tense is used to talk about a finished action or situation.

Compare:

 I have been gardening since morning. (Focus on continuity)


 I have planted several new saplings. (Focus on completion)
 I have been reading since morning. (Focus on continuity)
 I have read two books since morning. (Focus on completion)

Temporary and permanent

The present perfect continuous tense is used to talk about more temporary actions and
situations; the present perfect tense is used to talk about longer-lasting or permanent
situations.

 That boy has been standing at the gate for hours. (Temporary action or situation)
 The temple has stood on the hill for hundreds of years. (Longer-lasting or
permanent situation)

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