Present perfect simple and continuous

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

Grammar Unit 1

Subject: present perfect simple  <-> present perfect continuous

In your book: p. 162 (Grammar Reference)

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

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

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 Cambridge 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, ..........

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.

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!