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Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Continuous.

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Presentation on theme: "Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Continuous."— Presentation transcript:

1 Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Continuous

2 Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Continuous

3 Compare the use of the present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple: The guests have been arriving since about 6 o'clock. Since the operation two months ago, Joe has been learning to walk again. He can already take two or three steps unaided. She's been driving for 3 years now. Mark and Helena have arrived - they're in the sitting room. I have learnt a lot about painting from Paul. We have driven all the way here without a break.

4 We use both the present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple to talk about something that started in the past and which affects the situation that exists now. The difference is that the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity or event which may or may not be finished. The present perfect simple, however, focuses on the effect of the activity or event, or the fact that something has achieved.

5 We use the present perfect continuous to express the idea of activity (a task, piece of work, etc.) in progress until recently or until the time of speaking. Have you been working in the garden all day? You look exhausted. We don’t use present perfect continuous with verbs such as belong, know, (dis)like, and understand that describe unchanging states. Have you known each other long? (not Have you been knowing...)

6 We often use the present perfect simple or continuous to talk about something that has recently finished if we can still see the results. However, we generally use the present perfect continuous with verbs that suggest extended or repeated activity. He’s broken his finger and is in a lot of pain. He’s been playing football all afternoon and needs a shower.

7 We use present perfect continuous rather than the present perfect simple when we draw a conclusion from what we can see, hear, etc. We often use this form to complain or to criticize. Who’s been messing around with my papers? They’re all over the place. You’ve been eating chocolate, haven’t you? There’s some on your t-shirt.

8 When we talk about the result of circumstances or an activity, we use the present perfect simple. When we focus on the process we use either verb tenses. Prices have decreased by 7%. I’ve been using a new kind of paint on the kitchen walls.

9 We use the present perfect continuous to emphasise that an activity is ongoing and repeated, while the present perfect simple, suggests that the activity happened only once or on a specified number of occasions. Joseph has been kicking the football against the wall all day. He has played for the national team in 65 matches so far.


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