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?
 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

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