The document summarizes the differences between the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses in English. The present perfect simple is used to denote a completed action connected to the present through its result. It is used for recently completed actions. The present perfect continuous emphasizes the continuing nature of the past activity and shows that something started in the past and has continued up to the present. It indicates an action that was in progress quite recently and affects the present situation. The document provides examples of how to use each tense properly based on whether the action is completed or ongoing, and how it relates to the present.

1. Present Perfect Simple
VS
Present Perfect Continuous

2. Present Perfect Simple

3. Present Perfect (Simple) Have(has) + Participle II
They have been here for a month.
Have you just arrived at the station?
He hasn’t done the task.
past present future
Used to denote a completed action connected
with the present through its result
past present future
Used for recently completed actions
• I’ve bought a good dictionary. Look at it.
• You can’t see her, she has gone home.
• He told me his name, but I’ve forgotten
it.
• “Is Sally here?” – “No, she’s gone out”
• I have known him for 2 years.
• Ow! I’ve cut my finger!
• I can’t find my key. I think I’ve lost it.
Forsince ever, just, already, before, never, not … yet, lately, so far, always.
action
action connection

4. Present Perfect (Simple)
morning afternoon evening
7 a.m 12 p.m 18 p.m
Used to denote a period of time
which is not over yet.
Today
This morning
This week
This month
This year
• I’ve drunk four cups of coffee today.
• Have you had a holiday this year?
• I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you?
• Rob hasn’t worked hard this term.
BUT if the period is over, The Past Simple is used.
action
moment of
speaking

5. Present Perfect (Simple)
In special questions introduced by:
Where
How
Who
What
Why
What … for
both the Present Perfect and
the Past Simple are possible.
The choice of tense in such cases is
situational.
• Why have you done this to me? (I’m upset)
• Why did you do this? (at a certain past
moment)
In when –questions only Past Simple
is used
• When did you go there?
• When did it happen?

6. Present Perfect (Simple)
It’s the (first) time something has happened
This is
• Don is having a driving lesson. It’s his first one. It’s the first time he has driven a car.
• This is the first time he has eaten sushi.
• Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That’s the third time he’s phoned her this evening.

7. Present Perfect Continuous

8. Present Perfect Continuous Have (has) + been + V-ing
I’ve been living in Moscow for twenty years.
He has been working since nine o’clock.
Has he been working since nine o’clock?
He hasn’t been working since nine o’clock.
past present future
moment of
speaking
Serves to express an action in progress which began before
the moment of speaking and continues into it.
In this case either the starting point of the action or the
period of time during which it has been in progress is
indicated.
• It has been raining ever since
midnight, and it’s still drizzling.
• I’ve been sitting at my computer for
quite a while ago.
• I’ve been keeping diaries all my life.
past present future
action began
action began
in process
in process
action has
just stopped
Action was in progress quite recently and which
affects the present situation, explains the state of
things at the present moment.
• There are puddles everywhere. It has been
raining hard.
• Don’t tell mother what I’ve been saying.
• Where have you been? I’ve been looking for
you everywhere.
How long, forsince