The document summarizes the continuous and perfect aspects in English grammar. It discusses how the continuous aspect is formed using a verb to be plus the verb-ing form, and provides examples of its uses to emphasize actions in progress, temporary actions, and repeated actions. It notes some stative verbs like "like" cannot be used in the continuous aspect. The perfect aspect is formed using have/has plus the past participle, and is used to show a connection between two time periods, such as the present perfect connecting the past to the present.

1. The Continuous
and
Perfect Aspects
2014

2. The Continuous Aspect
The continuous tenses are formed with...
VERB TO BE + VERBING
They include:
- The Present Continuous.
- The Past Continuous.
- The Present Perfect Continuous.
- The Past Perfect Continuous.

3. 1. To emphasize an action in progress at a particular
moment:
Don't interrupt her; she's explaining the continuous aspect.
2. To talk about temporary or incompleted actions:
They were studying in silence when one of their cell phones
rang.
3. To emphasize that an action is repeated:
We've been having a lot of homeworks recently.
When do we use the Continuous Aspect?

4. 4. The actions are temporary. But if they are more
permanent, we use the simple tense:
I'm going out a lot at the moment.
(Something that it wasn't common in me)
I go out a lot.
(It's a habit)
5. To emphasize that an action lasts for some time:
I've been waiting for my prince charming for a very long time.
When do we use the Continuous Aspect?

5. Stative Verbs
LIKES AND DISLIKES
- Like – Dislike
- Love – Hate.
- Enjoy – Prefer
- Want – Wish.
These verbs are not used in the continuous aspect.
They can be divided in:
VERBS OF THE MIND
- Believe or Think - Doubt.
- Forget – Remember.
- Guess – Know.
- Imagine – Realize.
- Recognize – Suppose.
- Think.
VERBS OF THE SENSES
- Feel - Hear.
- See - Smell.
- Touch.
OTHER...
- Belong – Depend on – Weigh.
- Have or Possess – Fit.
- Mean – Measure – Want.
- Need – Own – Seem.

6. Stative Verbs
Some Stative Vebs can be
used in the continuous aspect
when their meaning is
dynamic or describe an
action:
A: Hey! Smell this lotion.
B: Just a moment. I'm
smelling this one.

7. The Perfect Aspect
The Perfect Tenses are formed with:
HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE VERB
They include:
- The Present Perfect.
- The Past Perfect.

8. When do we use it?
1. To Show a connection between two times.
1.1.The Present Perfect show a connection
between the past and present:
I've lived here since 1990.
(Ongoing activity connected to the present)
I've been in Caboriú three times.
(Life experience connected to the present)

9. When do we use it?
I've lost my car keys.
(Recent event connected to the present)
1.2. The Past Perfect Expresses a
connection between a past event and
a previous past event.
The class had finished before they arrived.
(They missed their formative English test)

10. The Present Perfect can be
used to emphasize completion
(end or finish):
She has read 4 books this
week.
They've bought you a
wonderful present for your
birthday.

11. Material selected by
Danitza Lazcano Flores
Teacher of English
Master in Education
and
Educational counselor