Unit 2. Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

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We use Present Perfect if:

1 an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. 

I think I have met him once before.

2 you describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

I have been to France three times.

It means that that you have had the experience of being in France. 

3 we talk about change that has happened over a period of time

The government has become more interested in arts education.

4  we list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Man has walked on the Moon.

Our son has learned how to read.

5 we talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

The army has attacked that city five times.

I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.

We use Present Perfect Continuous for:

1 an activity that has recently stopped or just stopped. There is a connection with now:

You're out of breath. Have you been running? (you're out of breath now)

Paul is very tired. He's been working very hard. (he's tired now)

Why are your clothes so dirty? What have you been doing?

2 an activity which is still happening

How long have you been learning English? (you're still learning English)

Tim is still watching television. He's been watching television all day.

3 actions repeated over a period of time:

Debbie is a very good tennis player. She's been playing since she was eight.

State verbs

There are some verbs (for example, know/like/believe) that are normally not used in the continuous:

I've known about it for a long time. (not 'I've been knowing')

For a list of these verbs, see Unit 1

Time expressions

Just = a short time ago:

'Would you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.'

already = something happened sooner than expected

'Don't forget to post the letter, will you?' 'I've already posted it.’

Yet = 'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences

Has it stopped raining yet?

I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.

Ever, never

Have you ever eaten caviar? (in your life)

We've never had a car.

Recently, lately, so far, up to now, until now / till now

We haven't heard from him recently (=lately / of late).

since or ever since with a specific month, year or a period in the past

I have been jogging in this park since 2002. 

He has been staring at the wall ever since he heard the news.

for with a number of hours, days, months, years

She’s been talking on the phone for 3 hours.

Present Perfect

Present Perfect Continuous:

Result

The ceiling was white. Now it is blue. She has painted the ceiling.

has painted is the present perfect simple.

Here, the important thing is that something has been finished. 'Has painted' is a completed action. We are interested in the result of the activity (the painted ceiling), not in the activity itself.

Duration

Ann's clothes are covered in paint. She has been painting the ceiling.

has been painting is the present perfect continuous

We are interested in the activity. It does not matter whether something has been finished or not. In this example, the activity (painting the ceiling) has not been finished.

Emphasis on completion

I have done my homework. (Meaning: My homework is completed now.)

Duration

I have been doing my homework. (Meaning: That's how I have spent my time. It does not matter whether the homework is completed now.)

desired result

I have washed the car. (Result: The car is clean now.)

unwanted side effect

Why are you so wet? - I have been washing the car. (side effect: I became wet when I was washing the car. It does not matter whether the car is clean now.)

since the last time

I haven't played that game for years. (Meaning: It's years ago that I last played that game.)

since the beginning

I haven't been playing that game for an hour, only for 10 minutes. (Meaning: It's not even an hour ago that I started to play that game.)

permanent

James has lived in this town for 10 years. (Meaning: He is a permanent resident of this town.)

temporary

James has been living here for a year. (Meaning: This situation is only temporary. Maybe he is an exchange student and only here for one or two years.)