the Present Perfect vs. the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

the Present Perfect the Present Perfect

the Present Perfect vs.

the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Continuous Tense

Let’s review:

-the forms of each (=structure)

-the difference in meaning between each tense

1) the Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect has many uses and is very common in English.

Generally speaking, the Present

Perfect is used to connect the past and the present; we often use this

grammar for an action that started in the past, but is still happening today.

Here is an Example . . . . .

1) the Present Perfect Tense

I have lived in San Diego for 10 years.

Meaning = I moved to San Diego 10 years ago and I still live here today.

The Present Perfect connects the past and the present.

1) the Present Perfect Tense

Another common use of the Present Perfect is . . .

To talk about recently finished actions

(often with just)

(or yet for negative forms)

Examples:

Susan has just mopped the floor, so don’t walk on it!

Or: She hasn’t mopped the floor yet.

1) the Present Perfect Tense -Form-

But . . . what does “past participle” mean?

Past participle for regular verbs:

=

the same

as the simple past tense.

Regular verbs require

–ed

^{in the}

simple past tense. For these verbs, the past participle is the same. What is the past participle for these verbs?

Past participle for irregular verbs:

= depends on the particular verb.

Irregular verbs do

not

^take

–ed

in the simple past. For these verbs, you must memorize the memorize past participle form. Do you know the past

participle for these verbs?

Note: The simple past and the past participle forms are the same for certain verbs.

(i.e., teach, bring, have, send)

2) The Present Perfect Continuous Tense

• The present perfect continuous is often very similar in meaning to the present perfect tense.

• Just like the Present Perfect, we can use this grammar to talk about something that started in the past, but is still happening.

• But the present perfect continuous focuses more on the

continuous action.

^The

emphasis is on the duration of the action.

Example:

It began raining two hours ago.

It is STILL raining now.

*It has been raining for two hours.

This is the present

perfect continuous

tense.

Present Perfect Continuous Form:

This grammar has

3

^parts:

Negative Form:

hasn’t

^{(=has not) been +–ing}

haven’t

(=have not) been +–ing John has not been living in L.A. for

very long. (or hasn’t been living)

I have not been exercising very much recently.

(or haven’t been exercising)

More Examples of P.P. Continuous:

Jane started to work in her garden at 8:00 this morning. Now it is 12:00.

She has been working in her garden for 4 hours!

Wow! That’s a long time!

Where’s Kelly?

She’s sleeping.

She’s been sleeping for a long time.

Sam and Paul are talking in the hallway. They have been talking since their class ended.

Difference in Meaning:

UNLIKE the Present Perfect, the Present Perfect Continuous is never used to talk about recently finished actions.

1)Susan has mopped the floor.

-present perfect (recently finished)

2) Susan has been mopping the floor for 15 minutes.

-p.p. continuous; not finished yet

Difference in Meaning:

The present perfect focuses more on the result of the action while the present perfect

continuous focuses more on the action itself.

Tom and Lucy have been painting all morning! (focus on the activity)

They have just painted the living room. Doesn’t it look great?

(focus on the result)

Note! In English, we don’t usually use stative ^(non-

action) verbs with continuous tenses.

Example:

Jean got a headache two hours ago.

She still has a headache now.

Because “have” is a stative verb, we don’t like to put it in continuous form; so

instead, we use present perfect:

Jean has had a headache for two hours.

She has been having a headache for two hours.

Review:

1. The Present Perfect and the Present

Perfect Continuous can be often be used in the same circumstance.-especially with the verbs live, work, and study (+when we use since/for)

Example:

1) I have worked at ECC for many years.

-present perfect

2) I have been working at ECC for many years.

-present perfect continuous

-In this case, both actions started in the past and continue up to the present time.

Review:

2. However, we DON’T use the Present Perfect Continuous with stative (non-action)

verbs; instead, we prefer to use the Present Perfect.

Example:

1) I have been knowing Maria for many years.

-INCORRECT

2) I have known Maria for Many years.

-CORRECT

Review:

3. Present Perfect is often used for actions that were recently

completed. We often use “just”

in these cases.

-Mark has just finished his Math homework.

*We also use the present perfect with YET in negative sentences:

-Mark hasn’t finished his Math homework yet.

Review:

4. Present Perfect

Continuous is preferred when we want to

emphasize the duration of an action that is

not yet finished.

-Ana has been studying for three hours! She should take a break!

Review:

5. We use the present perfect

continuous when we are focusing on an activity that has been going on and on (and is not finished yet).

However, the present perfect is

preferred when the focus is more on

the result of a recently finished action.