Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous

The Present Perfect has three main uses.

1. It expresses an action which began in the past and still continues.

Kate and Ken have been married for twenty years. (=They

are still married now.)

She has worked in London for six months. (=She still works

in London now.)

How long have you lived here? (=You still live here now.)

Note the time expressions that are common with this use. We use/or with a period of time, and since with a point in time.

two years ' 1970

a month the end of the lesson

for a few minutes since August

half an hour 800

ages Christmas

2. It expresses an experience that happened at some time in one's life. The action is in the past and finished, but the effects of the action are still felt. When the action happened is not important.

I've been to the States. (I still remember.)

She's written poetry, children's stories and biographies.

(In her writing career)

Have you ever had an operation? (At any time in your life

up to now)

How many times has he been married? (In his life)

Note the adverbs that are common with this use.

Have you ever been to Australia?

I have never tried salmon before. It is very nice.

Note that questions and answers about definite times are expressed in the Past Simple.

When did you go to the States?

Was her poetry published while she was alive?

I broke my leg once, but I didn't have to stay in hospital.

He met his second wife in the dry cleaner's.

3. It expresses a past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.

I've lost my wallet.(I haven't got it now.) The taxi hasn't arrived. (We're still waiting for it.) What have you done to your lip? (It's bleeding.) Peter has shaved his beard off. (He looks different.)

We often announce "news" in the Present Perfect, because the speaker is emphasizing the event as a present fact.

Have you heard? The Prime Minister has resigned.

Susan's had her baby!

I've ruined the meal. It's burnt.

Note the adverbs that are common with this use.

I haven't done my homework yet. (Negative) Has the postman been yet¹? (Question) I've already done my homework. 1've/M.y/ seen some scissors. Now where did I put them? Again, details about definite time will be in the Past Simple. She had a baby boy this morning. It was a difficult birth.

1. The Present Perfect Continuous expresses an activity which began in the past and is still continuing now.

I've been working all day.

How long have you been sitting here?

I've been learning English for three years.

They've been listening to the radio all morning.

2. The Present Perfect Continuous expresses a past activity which has caused a present result.

I've been working all day. (I'm tired now.) Have you been crying? (Your eyes are red.) Roger's been cutting the grass. (I can smell it.)

The past activity might be finished or it might not. The context usually makes this clear.

Look outside the window! It's been snowing! (It has

stopped snowing now.)

I've been writing this book for two years. (It isn't finished.)

Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect Simple

1. When we use the Present We use the Present Perfect Perfect Continuous^ the action Simple when the action is finished, may be finished or not finished.

She's been doing her homework. She's done her homework.

(=Perhaps she has finished it, (=She has finished it.) perhaps she has not.)

2. We use the Present Perfect We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about how Simple to talk about what long something has been in has been achieved in a period progress. of time.

I've been walking all morning. I've walked six kilometres

so far this morning.

How long have you been having How many driving lessons

driving lessons? have you had?

3. We use the Present Perfect We use the Present Perfect Continuous for situations which Simple for situations which are more temporary (continuing are more permanent (continuing for a short time). for a longer time).

He's been living there for just He's always lived there, a few weeks.

I've been working very hard You've worked hard all your

recently. life.

There is sometimes no difference between the Simple and the Continuous.

I've played/I've been playing the piano since I was a boy. I've been living /I've lived in this flat for ten years. How long has she been working/has she worked for the company?

Remember that state verbs rarely take the Continuous. I've had this book for ages. I've always loved sunny days.