1. PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE & CONTINUOUS1

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

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

4. SUPERLATIVES & “THE FIRST, SECOND, LAST TIME”, ETC
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 4

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

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 6

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

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 8

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. 9

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 10

11. SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS?
With “How long?, For & Since” we can use both. However, we prefer the continuous for shorter, temporary actions.
We’ve lived in London since 1980
We’ve been living in London since 1980
We’ve been staying in a hotel for the last month 11

12. 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 12