GRAMMAR

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SNAPSHOT
Present Perfect
Simple v. Present Perfect Continu-
ous
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

Use
We use the present perfect simple to talk about events and experiences in the
past without mentioning a specific time of when they occurred.

Affirmative statements
We have seen so many beautiful works of art in Florida.
We have learned a lot about Art Deco.

Negative statements
I have never seen so many beautiful hotels and museums.
I have not visited the Performing Arts Center in Miami yet.

Questions
What is your favorite place you have seen this week, Allison?
What have you learned about Art Deco?

We use both the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous to
talk about situations that start in the past and continue to the present. Both can
use ‘since’ and ‘for’ to help express time. Refer back to the previous Grammar
Snapshot for a review of ‘since’ and ‘for.’

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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Use
Affirmative statements
Suzie’s father has been working as a musician for over 50 years.
We have been walking and taking pictures all week.

Negative statements
She has not been taking pictures today.
We have not been visiting for very long.

Questions
How long has Suzie’s father been working as musician?
How long has Suzie been playing music in Miami?

We also use the present perfect continuous to talk about an activity that started in
the past, continues to the present and is also in progress in the current moment.

Present Perfect Continuous This sentence expresses an action that is in pro-

gress right now and expresses how long it has been
We have been sitting at the cafe for the past hour. in progress.

We do not use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs such as love, like,
or know. Remember we learned about this in the Grammar Snapshots from Unit
1. For stative verbs, use the Present Perfect Simple to talk about a situation that
began in the past and continues to the present.

Incorrect
I have been knowing about Art Deco for a long time.

Correct
I have known about Art Deco for a long time.

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