This document summarizes the differences between the present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses. It explains that the present perfect is used for finished actions in an undefined time period, while the present perfect continuous is used for unfinished actions. It provides examples of using each tense to describe painting a room. It also discusses using the present perfect continuous to indicate duration by using phrases like "for" or "since". Finally, it notes some verbs like state of being verbs are generally not used in the continuous form.

1. PRESENT PERFECT /PRESENT
PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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2. Finished actions in an undefined time period --- Unfinished action
Present perfect Present perfect continuous
simple
I have painted the We have been painting
room. (the room is the room.
now perfect)
Are they finished painting the room?
past finished Now
No, they aren’t.
action x
Past now
x
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3. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
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4. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS-
DURATION
She has been waiting for an hour in the snow.
Past now
x
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5. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
FOR, SINCE
I have worked (or have been working) here
for ten years.
FOR + a period of time
I have worked (or have been working) here
since 1998.
SINCE + a point of time
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6. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE/CONTINUOUS-
DURATION
They have been working in this company for
10 years
They have worked in this company for 10 years
With (work, live) you can use pp cont, or
simple - for duration.
now
Past
2002 x
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7. State Verbs
• MENTAL PROCESSES.
• Some verbs are not • believe, feel, remember, realize,
normally used in their understand, know, suspect.
continuous form. They • I understand pres. Simple.
• EMOTIONAL STATES
describe states that stay • love, want, prefer, doubt,
the same rather than • I want a dog.
actions or events that • SENSES
change. • smell, hear, see, taste
• This wine tastes good
• POSSESSIONS
• Have, own, belong
• I have a Vespa
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8. DURATION- STATE VS. ACTION VERBS
State Verbs Action verbs
•Ihave known Tom for 10 • Wehave been riding
years. motorcycles since
2002.
•I have been a member of
the tennis club for 11 years. TextI have been playing
•
tennis there for a long
• I have had this watch for 3 time.
years.
• I have been using it
• I have liked pizza since I since I bought it.
was a child
• I’ve been eating it
since I was little.

9. Ongoing event that repeats starting in the past and that
continues until the present.
now
xxxx x
He’s been complaining a lot lately.
He’s been leaving early a lot recently.
He’s been Watching a lot of TV.

10. Difference between present continuous and
present perfect continuous
•
Rob Novis 2013