PPPP

Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous

Let’s differentiate between these two advanced tenses

Mª Carmen Millán

Salgueiro

What do you think the difference is?

I have watched the movie you mentioned to me.

I have been watching the movie you mentioned to me.

What do you think the difference is?

Finishe

d

watchi ng it

I have watched the movie you mentioned to me.

I have been watching the movie you mentioned to me.

Still haven’t seen the end

What do you think the difference is?

to study

I have woken up early

I have been getting up early to study

Something

I have woken up early to study

What do you think the difference is?

I have been getting up early to study

I did this one time.

I don’t normally do

Let’s review the Present Perfect SIMPLE

Present Perfect Simple HAVE/HAS + PARTICIPLE Used to talk about…

- Achievements ✔

He has just finished his third marathon this year.

I have already eaten, so I’m not hungry. No, thanks. (Justificamos algo)

- Completed actions that affect us now ✔

- Unfinished actions that are still I have lived in England for two months.

Let’s take a look at the Pres.Perf.

CONTINUOUS:

Presen t Perfect ContinHAVE/HAS (not) +

1. Action is still going on ✔ I have been working on this project (not finished)

2. To emphasize duration ✔

I have been living in Chiclana for two years now

When do we use either… or?

PresPerf Simple PresPerf Continuous

- Stative verbs

(know, dream, want, wish...)

I have known her for years.

- Dynamic verbs

- Answers: HOW LONG? or wants to emphasize how much time has passed.

- Answers: HOW MUCH/MANY?

She has read the news twice this morning.

- With ‘times’ or superlatives

He has been the best player 3

- With ‘recently’

-Ongoing actions

(fast actions like explode, marry, break... not good options with �� this tense)

Time to practice!