Present perfect simple and continuous

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3,4

After this lesson, I can distinguish between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous.

Present perfect simple

Present perfect continuous

Past simple

I did this yesterday!

I've never done this!

I've been doing this all my life!

Today

Explanation

Practice

Grammar Theme 2

Subject: past simple <> present perfect simple <> present perfect continuous

Past simple: I read / She watched / They didn't go

Present perfect simple: I have read / She has watched etc.

Present perfect continuous: I have been reading / She has been working, etc. 

Present perfect simple or present perfect continuous?

Compare these sentences:

1. I have read the book you recommended, and I think it's great!

2. I have been reading the book you recommended, but I don't know if I like it yet. 

What is the difference in meaning between the two? (answer on the next slide)

What is the difference? (1. I have read the book / 2. I've been reading the book)

The difference:

1. I have read the book you recommended, and I think it's great!

--> You have definitely finished the book.

2. I have been reading the book you recommended, but I don't know if I like it yet. 

--> You have not finished the book.

Present perfect simple:

We're interested in the result of the activity, not in the activity itself:

Examples:

1. I have read the book. I didn't think it was very good.

2. She has painted her door. It looks great now!

3. Someone has eaten all the chocolates. The box is empty...

Present perfect continuous:

We're interested in the activity (which may be finished, or not - we don't really care):

1. Why are your clothes and hands so dirty? -- Oh, I've been painting my door.

2. Quinn has been eating too much chocolate. He's feeling sick now.

Present perfect simple:

We use it to say how much, how many or how many times we've done something:

1. They've played tennis three times this week.

2. How much homework have you finished so far?

3. Lisa has written ten emails today.

Present perfect continuous:

We use it to say how long we've been doing something:

1. They've been playing tennis for hours now!

2. How long have you been doing your homework? You look tired.

3. Lisa is still writing emails. She's been writing emails all day.

Now it's time for some practice questions:

Look! Somebody ...... that window.

1. has broken
2. has been breaking

You meet someone who is a writer. You ask:

1. How long have you been writing books?
2. How long have you written books?

I'm preparing for my Anglia exam, but I ......... yet.

1. haven't been taking many lessons
2. haven't taken many lessons

You're out of breath. .............?

1. Have you run?
2. Have you been running?

What are all these boxes doing here? --Oh, .......... I need to finish tomorrow.

1. I've cleaned out my room.
2. I've been cleaning out my room.

................................... . I'm glad it's finished now.

1. We've done a lot of exercises.
2. We've been doing a lot of exercises.

Past simple:

The activity has finished. There is no direct relationship with the present.

Examples:

1. I read this book last year. I enjoyed it massively.

2. She went on holiday to Norway and had a good time.

3. The judge didn't introduce herself.

Past simple or present perfect?

Is there a link with the present? Present perfect

No link with the present? Past simple

Are there words like already, since, yet? Present perfect

FYNE JAS = for, yet, never, ever   just, already, since

Are there words like last week, yesterday, in 2021? Past simple

Teddy and Axel __ the shopping yesterday.

1. do
2. have done
3. did
4. has done

Ouch! I can't move! I think I ___ my leg!

1. break
2. broke
3. have broken
4. have been breaking

Yesterday morning, I ___ (catch) the bus.
(long forms only)

Sorry, Mrs. Gibson, I ___ (finish, not) my homework yet.
(long forms only)

I __ in the same village since I ___ born.

1. live / am
2. lived / was
3. have lived / was
4. lived / have been

He ___ the car, because it's still not working.

1. hasn't repaired
2. hasn't repairing
3. hasn't been repairing
4. hasn't been repaired

We __ this quiz for HOURS.

1. have been taking
2. have taken
3. took
4. have taking

I ___ this three times.

1. have been explaining
2. have explained
3. explained
4. have explaining

I'm done! I ___ (paint) my room.
(long forms only)

How well do you understand the difference between these two forms now?

very well, this wasn't new for me

I think I get it, but let me practise to find out

I'm still a bit confused

I literally have no idea what you were just talking about!

What now?

•  complete grammar C
• ask any questions
• Read Theory
• study vocabulary (more words = better reading)