Present Perfect Simple vs Present Pefect Continuous

1. YEAR 5, EOI CARTAGENA

3. What’s the difference between….?
 They have been reading a book about witches
 They have read a book about witches

4. When we use present perfectpresent perfect
continuouscontinuous, we are interested in the
durationduration of the
action and,usually, this is notnot
finishedfinished.
On the contrary, if we use presentpresent
perfect simpleperfect simple we are more
interested in the resultresult and the
action is usually finishedfinished.

5. What’s the difference between….?
• Ihave do ne thre e e xe rcise s so far this e ve ning .
• Ihave be e n do ing e xe rcise s since this m o rning .
• We have visite d six co untrie s since we le ft thre e
m o nths ag o .
• We have be e n trave lling fo r thre e m o nths.

6. To express how muchhow much of an activity has been
done,
not how long,
we use present perfectpresent perfect.
On the other hand, when we only mention howonly mention how
longlong
the tense is the continuous onecontinuous one.

7. FINISHEDEVENTS
CONNECTEDWITH
PRESENT
• Kate’s had a baby (she’s
got a baby now)
• I’ve broken my leg (my leg
is broken)
COMPLETION OR
ACHIEVEMENT
• At last! I’ve finished!
• Have you done all your
homework?

8. • FINISHED EVENTS WITH EXPRESSIONS OF TIME UP
TO NOW (ever, before, never, already, yet, just lately,
recently)
Have you ever seen a ghost?
Has the toddler stood on his feet yet?

9. ORDINAL NUMBERS
It is the first time I’ve tried
exotic fruit.
SUPERLATIVE
It’s one of the most
interesting books I’ve ever
read.

10. • STARTED IN THE PAST AND STILL GOES ON/ HAS
JUST STOPPED
I’ve been keeping some cans in that
cupboard. Is that OK?
You look hot. Yes, I’ve been running.

11. With HOWLONG/FOR/SINCE, both are
possible. However, present perfect continuous is
preferred for shorter temporary actions.
We’ve lived in London since 1980.
We’ve been living in London since 1980.
We’ve been staying in a hotel for the last month.

12. • PRESENT PERFECT
SIMPLE
Re pe ate d actio ns + ho w
m any tim e s
I’ve played tennis three times
this week.
Fo cus o n re sult
I’ve written 6 reports since
lunchtime.
I’ve learnt all the irregular
verbs in English.
• PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
Re pe ate d actio ns w/o
ho w m any tim e s
I’ve been playing tennis a lot this
week.
Fo cus o n the act and
duratio n
I’ve been writing letters all
morning.
I’ve been learning irregular verbs
all afternoon.