TTO2 Present perfect vs. present perfect continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• vwo
• Leerjaar 2

GRAMMAR REVISION 

Goals:

• Explain when to use Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present Perfect

Present perfect continuous

Have/Has been

+

Verb (ww)

+

ing

Present Perfect Continuous

How does it work?

Sentences that illustrate difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous (1):

I’ve been decorating the house this summer (P.P.C).
The focus is on the action taking place – decorating – and the action is unfinished.

I’ve painted the house blue (P.P).
The focus is on the finished result. The activity is finished but we can see the result now.

Sentences that illustrate difference between the present perfect and present perfect continuous (2):

It has been raining for the past two days (P.P.C)

You emphasise the fact that something has been happening a lot recently.

I have worked here for most of my life (P.P.)

This action has started in the past and is still ongoing at present.

Let's practice!

Fill in the correct form of the verb in brackets. Think about whether you need to use the present perfect or the present perfect continuous.

_____ (they/arrive) already?

I ____ (clean) all morning! I'm fed up with it!

The students ____ (finish) their exams. They're very happy.

Luke ____ (never/be) abroad.

I ____ (read) your book all day. It's interesting, but I'm only on chapter 4.

I ____ (have) my dog for 4 years.

It ____ (not/rain) for three hours! Only about one hour.

For the next exercise ...

Complete the sentences with the verb play in the correct tense. If you're not sure, look at the article on p.52 to find the sentences.

He _____ (play) music for more than 40 years.

He _____ (play) hundreds of concerts.

Complete the rules and match them with the correct sentence.

He has been playing music for more than 40 years.

He has played hundreds of concerts.

continuous

simple

1

2

Do you understand the difference between the present perfect simple and continuous?

😒🙁😐🙂😃

Now practice by yourself!

Do grammar ex. 3+4 and vocabulary ex. 1 on p. 53