Present Perfect (Simple and Continuous)

The present perfect relates the past to the present. It looks back from now into
the past and expresses what has happened before, but is still important now.

Often the Simple form expresses complete actions, while the Continuous is
about activities which take time.

Simple: Have/has + past participle I have forgotten my passport.

Continuous: Have/has + been + -ing I have been waiting for half an hour.

The Present Perfect is used to express lifetime experience, unfinished past,

and past actions with a result in the present.

1. Lifetime experience (often used with ever or never)

Have you ever been to Scotland? (in your life up to now)

I have travelled all over the world.
My mother has never flown in a plane.
Have we met somewhere before?

2. Unfinished past (something which started in the past and is still true now)

I've known her for six years. (I still know her)

How long have you lived in Smithdown Road? (you still live there now)
She hasn't seen him for years. (up till now)

We can use the continuous for this, when it expresses an activity over time:

I've been working there for five years.

How long have you been waiting for?
What have you been doing this week?
I've been going to the gym every day.

3. A past action with a result in the present

I've just had breakfast. (that's why i'm not hungry now)
I'm tired (now) because I've been working all day
Have you been crying? (your eyes are red now)

Sometimes this is used to give news of recent events:

The president has been shot. (it's news now)

She has just had a baby. (it's news now)
The price has gone up. (it's more expensive now than before)

Present Perfect Simple & Continuous TP2020

Compare the use of tenses in these sentences. Discuss which tense is used
and why? (all sentences are correct)

1. She has lived in London for two years.

She lived in London for two years.

2. My husband always bought me flowers on my birthday.

My husband has always bought me flowers on my birthday.

3. I've written a letter to my solicitor.

I've been writing a letter to my solicitor.

4. What have you done to your hair?

What have you been doing this week?

5. She has travelled to most countries in Europe.

She travelled round Europe last year.

6. Have Wigan ever won the FA Cup?

Did Wigan win the FA Cup?

7. Who's eaten my biscuits?

Who's been eating my biscuits?

Now ask and answer the following questions, then try to continue each
conversation for a few minutes. Use present perfect but remember to use past
simple tense when you use words which refer to a specific time.

Example: Which countries have you been to?

I've been to Africa. I went to Nigeria in 2002. It was a fantastic experience. I
had a great time. I also went to America a couple of years ago.

1. Which places have you been to in the UK?

2. How long have you known your classmates?

3. Have you seen any good films (or TV programmes) recently?

4. Have you read any good books recently?

5. Have you done anything interesting this week?

6. What's the best job you've ever had?

7. Have you ever had an accident?

Present Perfect Simple & Continuous TP2020