Present Perfect simple and Continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• ISK
• WO
• mavo
• Leerjaar 6

Present Perfect simple and Continuous

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

.I've had three coffees already today

They've been waiting for hours.

We've painted the bathroom.

She's been training for a half-marathon.

Grammar explanation

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.

Present Perfect Simple

focuses on the result   :   You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks lovely!   

Says 'how many' :                                                                                               

                                                     She's read ten books this summer.                                                                     

Present Perfect Simple

Describes a completed action:       I"ve written you an email.                                                      

Present Perfect Continuous

Focuses on the activity   :     I 've been gardening. It's so nice out there. 

Says 'how long'  :    She's been reading that book all day.    

                                                                

Present Perfect Continuous

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. 

You look nice! Have you...your hair cut?

1. been having
2. has
3. had

I've ___ English for three years and soon I'm going to be using it at work.

1. been learning
2. has learned
3. learned

Are you OK? B: Yeah, I'm fine! I'm not crying. I've ___ onions!

1. been chopping
2. chop
3. chopped

Finally! We ___ our house!

1. have sold
2. had selling
3. have been selling

Sorry, I'm late! How long ___?

1. had you waited
2. have you waited
3. have you been waiting