Present Perfect
Focus: The result or completion of an action.
Structure: have/has + past participle.
Use Cases:
1. Actions completed at an unspecified time in the past.
2. Actions that have relevance to the present.
3. Life experiences.
Examples:
I have finished my homework. (The result is important now.)
She has visited France twice. (Life experience.)
We have already seen that movie. (Action completed.)
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Present Perfect Continuous
Focus: The duration or ongoing nature of an action.
Structure: have/has + been + present participle.
Use Cases:
1. Actions that started in the past and are still continuing.
2. Recently finished actions with an emphasis on duration.
Examples:
I have been studying for two hours. (The action is ongoing.)
He has been working on the project all morning. (Emphasis on duration.)
They have been waiting for you. (Recently completed action.)
I have worked her for two years.
I have been working here for two years.
Present Perfect.
Emphasizes the fact that the action (working) has been happening over a specific period
and continues into the present.
Example:
I have worked here for 2 years.
Meaning: You started working 2 years ago, and you still work here.
Focus: The period of time or the result of being employed.
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Present Perfect Continuous:
Emphasizes the ongoing nature or the activity itself.
Example:
I have been working here for 2 years.
Meaning: You started working 2 years ago, and you are still working.
Focus: The process or activity of working continuously over the 2 years.
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Key Point:
Both forms can indicate that you are still working. However:
Present Perfect (I have worked) is more about the fact or duration.
Present Perfect Continuous (I have been working) is more about the action itself and its
continuity.
So the choice depends on what you want to emphasize!
Time expressions
Present Perfect
Focus: Result, completion, or fact.
1. With "since":
I have lived in this city since 2015.
She has known him since they were children.
2. With "for":
We have been friends for 10 years.
He has worked here for 3 months.
3. With "lately":
I have felt very tired lately.
She has noticed a change in his behavior lately.
4. With "recently":
They have bought a new car recently.
I have heard some good news recently.
5. With "already":
I have already finished my homework.
She has already visited that museum.
Present Perfect Continuous
Focus: Ongoing action or duration.
1. With "since":
I have been studying English since 2020.
She has been working here since January.
2. With "for":
We have been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes.
He has been exercising for an hour.
3. With "lately":
I have been feeling stressed out lately.
She has been spending a lot of time on her hobbies lately.
4. With "recently":
They have been traveling a lot recently.
I have been practicing piano recently.
5. With "already":
I have already been working on this project for weeks.
She has already been thinking about moving to another city.
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Key Differences:
Present Perfect: Highlights results, facts, or states.
Present Perfect Continuous: Highlights the ongoing nature or duration of an action.
Yes/No and Wh-questions for Present Perfect and Present
Perfect Continuous, using the same time expressions (since,
for, lately, recently, already):
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Present Perfect
Focus: Result, completion, or fact.
Yes/No Questions:
1. Have you lived here since 2010?
2. Has she worked here for two years?
3. Have you felt better lately?
4. Have they visited the museum recently?
5. Have you already finished your homework?
Wh-Questions:
1. How long have you lived here?
2. Since when has she worked here?
3. What changes have you noticed lately?
4. What have they done recently?
5. What have you already completed?
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Present Perfect Continuous
Focus: Ongoing action or duration.
Yes/No Questions:
1. Have you been studying English since last year?
2. Has he been working on this project for hours?
3. Have you been feeling tired lately?
4. Have they been traveling recently?
5. Have you already been practicing the piano for weeks?
Wh-Questions:
1. How long have you been studying English?
2. Since when has he been working on this project?
3. What have you been feeling lately?
4. What have they been doing recently?
5. How long have you already been practicing?
