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Present Perfect Continuous
Present Perfect Continuous
vs.
the Present Perfect
Continuous Tense
Let’s review:
-the forms of each (=structure)
-the difference in meaning between
each tense
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1) the Present Perfect Tense
The Present Perfect has many uses
and is very common in English.
Here is an Example . . . . .
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1) the Present Perfect Tense
I have lived in San Diego for 10 years.
Examples:
Susan has just mopped the floor, so
don’t walk on it!
Or: She hasn’t mopped the floor yet.
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1) the Present Perfect Tense
-Form-
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Past participle for
irregular verbs:
= depends on the particular verb.
Irregular verbs do not take –ed in the simple
past. For these verbs, you must memorize the
past participle form. Do you know the past
participle for these verbs?
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Present Perfect Continuous
Form:
This grammar has 3 parts:
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Negative Form:
hasn’t (=has not) been +–ing
haven’t (=have not) been +–ing
John has not been living in L.A. for
very long. (or hasn’t been living)
I have not been exercising very much
recently.
(or haven’t been exercising)
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More Examples of P.P. Continuous:
Jane started to work in her garden at
8:00 this morning. Now it is 12:00.
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Where’s Kelly?
She’s sleeping.
She’s been sleeping for a long time.
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Difference in Meaning:
The present perfect focuses more on the result
of the action while the present perfect
continuous focuses more on the action itself.
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Note! In English, we don’t usually use stative
(non-action) verbs with continuous tenses.
Example:
Jean got a headache two hours ago.
She still has a headache now.
Example:
1) I have worked at ECC for many years.
-present perfect
2) I have been working at ECC for many years.
-present perfect continuous
Example:
1) I have been knowing Maria for many years.
-INCORRECT
2) I have known Maria for Many years.
-CORRECT
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Review:
3. Present Perfect is often used
for actions that were recently
completed. We often use “just”
in these cases.
-Mark has just finished his Math
homework.
*We also use the present perfect with
YET in negative sentences:
-Mark hasn’t finished his Math
homework yet.
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Review:
4. Present Perfect
Continuous is preferred
when we want to
emphasize the duration
of an action that is
not yet finished.
-Ana has been studying
for three hours! She
should take a break!
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Review:
5. We use the present perfect
continuous when we are focusing on an
activity that has been going on and on
(and is not finished yet).
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