Present perfect simple and continuous

1
Present perfect simple and continuous

• Mgr. Ema Jarošová

2
We use

• Present perfect simple

• Present perfect continuous

• To describe an activity that is complete
• Ive read several books about windsurfing.
  (Ive finished them)
• To emphasise the result of a completed action
• Weve already seen that film.
• (we dont want to see it again)

• To decrice an activity that is incomplete
• Ive been reading a book about windsurfing.
  (I havent finished yet)
• To focus on an activity, not the result
• You look tired. What have you been doing?
• Ive been working hard.

3

• Present perfect simple

• Present perfect continuous

• To say how often something has happened
• Hes read that book twice.
• To describe a permanent state
• Shes lived here for six years. (this is her
  home now)

• To emphasise how long an activity has been going
  on
• Hes been reading that book for over two
  weeks.
• To describe a temporary state or activity
• Shes been living here for six months. (But
  she intends to move)

4
We dont use present perfect continuous

• With verbs describing an action that lasts a
  short time
• Begin, break, finish, stop
• Hes started a new job. (not Hes been starting a
  new job)