This document discusses the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses in English. The present perfect simple is used to describe life experiences, events that have already happened or just happened, connections between past and present, durations of time, and amounts. The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of an action and is used with time expressions or to describe continuous actions that have recently finished. The key difference between the tenses is that the simple focuses on the result of an action while the continuous focuses on the duration.

1. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE &
CONTINUOUS

2. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
FORM: have / has + past participle
USES:
1. LIFE EXPERIENCES
I’ve been to China
She’s ridden a horse

3. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
2. ALREADY, JUST & YET
They’ve just left
She’s already called her friend
They haven’t finished yet

4. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
SUPERLATIVES & “THE FIRST, SECOND,
LAST TIME”, ETC
It’s the best meal I’ve ever had
It’s the first time he’s given a speech

5. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
3. CONNECTION PAST & PRESENT
I’ve sprained my ankle, as you can see
He’s lost his keys

6. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
4. HOW LONG / FOR/ SINCE (NON-
ACTION VERBS:be, have, know, like, etc)
I’ve known Maria for 10 years
They’ve had that car since 2007

7. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
5. HOW MUCH / HOW MANY
How many books have you written?
I’ve spent too much money

8. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
FORM: HAVE / HAS + BEEN + VERB + ING
USES:
1. “HOW LONG / FOR / SINCE” WITH ACTION
VERBS (action started in past & continues now)
How long have you been feeling like this?
She’s been travelling by bus for 5 years

9. PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
2. REPEATED ACTIONS, ESPECIALLY WITH
TIME EXPRESSIONS LIKE ALL DAY, RECENTLY,
ETC
I have been arguing with my husband
lately.
The phone has been ringing all day.

10. PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
3. CONTINUOUS ACTIONS THAT HAVE JUST
FINISHED (WITH RESULT IN THE PRESENT)
He’s been running all day. He’s dead!
A: Look at your hands! They’re so filthy!
B: I know. I’ve been painting the living room

11. SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE:
Emphasis on the RESULT of the action
I’ve painted my living room
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
Emphasis on the DURATION of the
action
I’ve been painting my living room