Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

Hello,
Perhaps you have wondered how you can use the present perfect and the present continuous better.
Take a look at the following...

PRESENT PERFECT

The Form

You have seen that movie many times.

Have you seen that movie many times?

You have not seen that movie many times.

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

I have seen that movie twenty times.

I think I have met him once before.

There have been many earthquakes in California.

People have traveled to the Moon.

People have not traveled to Mars.

Have you read the book yet?

Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.

A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?

B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.

I have been to France three times.

You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.

I have never been to France.

This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.

I think I have seen that movie before.

He has never traveled by train.

Joan has studied two foreign languages.

A: Have you ever met him?

B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:

You have grown since the last time I saw you.

The government has become more interested in arts education.

Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.

My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

Man has walked on the Moon.

Our son has learned how to read.

Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

James has not finished his homework yet.

Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.

Bill has still not arrived.

The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

The army has attacked that city five times.

I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.

We have had many major problems while working on this project.

She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

I have seen that movie six times in the last month.

They have had three tests in the last week.

She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.

My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.

Examples:

I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.

I have been to Mexico in the last year.

I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

I have had a cold for two weeks.

She has been in England for six months.

Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of Present Perfect is normally limited to Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT Non-Continuous Verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You have only seen that movie one time.

Have you only seen that movie one time?

Simple Past / Present Perfect

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

1. A: Did you like the movie "Star Wars?"

B: I don't know. I (see, never)  that movie.

2. Sam (arrive)  in San Diego a week ago.

3. My best friend and I (know)  each other for over fifteen years. We still get together once a week.

4. Stinson is a fantastic writer. He (write)  ten very creative short stories in the last year. One day, he'll be as famous as Hemingway.

5. I (have, not)  this much fun since I (be)  a kid.

6. Things (change)  a great deal at Coltech, Inc. When we first (start)  working here three years ago, the company (have, only)  six employees. Since then, we (expand)  to include more than 2000 full-time workers.

7. I (tell)  him to stay on the path while he was hiking, but he (wander)  off into the forest and (be)  bitten by a snake.

8. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss)  the bus this morning. You (be)  late to work too many times. You are fired!

9. Sam is from Colorado, which is hundreds of miles from the coast, so he (see, never)  the ocean. He should come with us to Miami.

10. How sad! George (dream)  of going to California before he died, but he didn't make it. He (see, never)  the ocean.

11. In the last hundred years, traveling (become)  much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (take)  two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon. The trip (be)  very rough and often dangerous. Things (change)  a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours.

12. Jonny, I can't believe how much you (change)  since the last time I (see)  you. You (grow)  at least a foot!

13. This tree (be)  planted by the settlers who (found)  our city over four hundred years ago.

14. This mountain (be, never)  climbed by anyone. Several mountaineers (try)  to reach the top, but nobody (succeed, ever) . The climb is extremely difficult and many people (die)  trying to reach the summit.

15. I (visit, never)  Africa, but I (travel)  to South America several times. The last time I (go)  to South America, I (visit)  Brazil and Peru. I (spend)  two weeks in the Amazon, (hike)  for a week near Machu Picchu, and (fly)  over the Nazca Lines.

Simple Past / Present Perfect

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

Since computers were first introduced to the public in the early 1980's, technology (change)  a great deal. The first computers (be)  simple machines designed for basic tasks. They (have, not)  much memory and they (be, not)  very powerful. Early computers were often quite expensive and customers often (pay)  thousands of dollars for machines which actually (do)  very little. Most computers (be)  separate, individual machines used mostly as expensive typewriters or for playing games.

Times (change) . Computers (become)  powerful machines with very practical applications. Programmers (create)  a large selection of useful programs which do everything from teaching foreign languages to bookkeeping. We are still playing video games, but today's games (become)  faster, more exciting interactive adventures. Many computer users (get, also) on the Internet and (begin)  communicating with other computer users around the world. We (start)  to create international communities online. In short, the simple, individual machines of the past (evolve)  into an international World Wide Web of knowledge.

The Present Perfect Continuous.

Mary got to the bus stop at 6:00 a.m. She started waiting for the bus then. 

It’s 6:30 a.m., and the bus hasn’t come yet.

Mary has been waiting for it since 6:00 a.m.

She has been waiting for it for 30 minutes.

Jack started doing exercise at 2:00 p.m. It’s 4:00 p.m. He is still doing exercise.

He has been doing exercise since 2:00 p.m.

He has been doing exercise for 2 hours.

Betty began talking on the phone at 3:00 p.m. It’s 4:05 p.m. She is still talking on the phone.

She has been talking on the phone since 3:00 p.m.

She has been talking on the phone for over an hour.

Introduction

Allan Britto is a top notch lawyer. He exceeds in everything he does. He is married to a woman 20 years younger than he is. He has a wonderful 10-year-old daughter. She is what he loves most in the world.

Allan loves extreme sports. He is 45 years old, but he looks much younger because of his excellent physical condition. He loves excellent cooking, fast cars, young women, money, sports and discotheques.

Two weeks ago, his yacht sank, and he was forced to swim to a nearby island.

It is a rock more than an island. There is a coconut tree on it, and that’s about it.

Tell your partners about what this unfortunate man has been doing and what he hasn’t been doing on this rock, I mean, island.

FORM

You have been waiting here for two hours.

Have you been waiting here for two hours?

You have not been waiting here for two hours.

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

Examples:

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?

James has been teaching at the university since June.

We have been waiting here for over two hours!

Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Have you been exercising lately?

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

Lisa has not been practicing her English.

What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT

Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER 

Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Examples:

Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct

Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You have only been waiting here for one hour.

Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

Robin: I think the waiter (forget)  us. We (wait)  here for over half an hour and nobody (take)  our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk)  by us at least twenty times. He probably thinks we (order, already) .

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only)  here for five or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not)  yet! We (sit)  here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even)  us. He (run)  from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not)  in our direction once.

Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

1. Judy: How long (be)  in Canada?

Claude: I (study)  here for more than three years.

2. I (have)  the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

3. I (love)  chocolate since I was a child. You might even call me a "chocoholic."

4. Matt and Sarah (have)  some difficulties in their relationship lately, so they (go)  to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out.

5. John (work)  for the government since he graduated from Harvard University. Until recently, he (enjoy)  his work, but now he is talking about retiring.

6. Lately, I (think)  about changing my career because I (become) dissatisfied with the conditions at my company.

7. I (see)  Judy for more than five years and during that time I (see)  many changes in her personality.

Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

1. It (rain)  all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach.

2. Sid: Where is Gary?

Sarah: He (study, at the library)  for his German test on Wednesday. In fact, he (review)  for the test every day for the last week.

3. You look really great! (You, exercise)  at the fitness center ?

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait)  for you since 1 PM.

5. Tim: What is that sound?

Nancy: A car alarm (ring)  somewhere down the street. It (drive)  me crazy - I wish it would stop! It (ring)  for more than twenty minutes.

6. Joseph's English (improve, really) , isn't it? He (watch)  American television programs and (study)  his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent.

7. Dan: You look a little tired. (You, get)  enough sleep lately?

Michelle: Yes, I (sleep)  relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) a little sick for the last week.

Dan: I hope you feel better soon.

Michelle: Thanks. I (take, currently)  some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of days.

Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.

Mr. Smith: So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background.

Mr. Harris: I (work)  in the insurance industry for over ten years. I worked for Met Life for six years and World Insurance for four and a half. During that time, I heard many good things about Hollings Life Insurance and that's why I (apply)  for the new sales position.

Mr. Smith: Tell me a little about your hobbies and interests.

Mr. Harris: In my spare time, I hike in the mountains outside of town, volunteer at the Sierra Club and play tennis. In fact, I (compete)  in a tennis tournament this weekend.

Mr. Smith: Really, how long (you, play)  tennis ?

Mr. Harris: I (play)  since high school. I love the sport.

Mr. Smith: Great! We like dedication here at Hollings Life. You mentioned you volunteer at the Sierra Club. I (work, currently)  with them on the sea turtle project. We (try)  to create a wildlife sanctuary near the bay.

Mr. Harris: Do you know Frank Harris? He's my brother. He (work, presently)  on the same project.

Mr. Smith: I know Frank quite well. Any brother of Frank's would be a welcome addition to Hollings Life. Just one more thing, we (look)  for somebody who is fluent in Spanish; many of our clients are from Mexico.

Mr. Harris: No problem. I (study)  Spanish since elementary school.

Mr. Smith: Sounds like you are the perfect candidate.