Present Perfect Simple & Continuous

1. Introduction The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result. Present Perfect means 'before now'.The Present Perfect does not express when an action happened. If we say the exact time, we have to use the Past Simple. The present perfect tense is also sometimes called the present perfect simple tense. The auxillary verb "have" is always used with the present perfect tense. The present perfect continuous tense refers to an action that started in the past, but has continued to the present or has just finished. The present perfect continous tense uses the auxiliary verb "have - has" and -ing added to the main verb. It puts emphasis on duration.

2. Form 2.1. Present Perfect Simple We form the Present Perfect Simple with have and the past participle (regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs). have/has + -ed (past participle) has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it) have: all other forms Positive and negative: I We 've You (have) lived in They haven't Rome. He 's (has) She hasn't Question: How long have How long has

I we you known Peter? he she 1

Short anwer: Have you been to Egypt?

Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.

Has she ever written poetry?

Yes, she has. / No, she hasn't.

2.2. Present Perfect Continuous The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb have in the corresponding form for the subject of the sentence, followed by the participle 'been' of the auxilary verb be, followed by the -ING form of the main verb. have/has + been + -ing (present participle) Positive and negative: I 've We (have) You haven't They He She It

been working.

's (has) hasn't

Question:

How long

I we have you been they working ? he has she it

Short anwer: Have you been running?

Yes, I have. / No, I haven't. 2

Has he been shopping?

Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.

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3. The Basics of Present Perfect Simple and Continuous

The most important thing to remember about the present perfect is that it can never be used with adverbs which describe finished time periods, such as yesterday, five minutes ago and at three o'clock. If a time adverb is used with the present perfect, it should describe a time period which is unfinished. Example include today and this week. So we say: I've been to the shops twice already today. I went to the shops before toy arrived. Think of the verbs that have the idea of a long time, for example, wait, work, learn, travel, play. These verbs can be found in the Present Perfect Continuous. I've been playing tennis since I was a boy. Think of the verbs that don't have the idea of a long time, for example, find, start, buy, die, lose, break, stop. It is unusual to find these verbs in the Present Perfect Continuous. I've bought a new dress. My cat has died. My radio's broken. Verbs that express a state, for example, like, love, know, have for possession, are not found in the Present Perfect Continuous. We've known each other for a few weeks. NOT We've been knowing each other for a few weeks. How long have you had your car? NOT How long have you been having your car? The Present Perfect Simple looks at the completed action. This is why, if the sentence gives a number or a quantity, the Present Perfect Simple is used. The Continuous is not possible. I've written three letters today. NOT I've been writing three letters today. See the table below for more examples of adverbs of finished and unfinished time. Note that only adverbs which describe past time have been included, and that adverbs that describe duration (for etc) have also been omitted.

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Unfinished Time

Finished Time

today

yesterday

this week

last week

this year

last year

this morning*

this morning*

this afternoon*

this afternoon*

this evening

-

during the last two years

during the summer

since I left school

before I saw you

-

at six o'clock

-

when I met him.

-

five minutes ago

ever**

-

just***

-

Note: * Can be finished or unfinished, depending on the time of day ** ever is only used in questions *** justis used to describe a very recently completed action

4. Use 4.1. Present Perfect Simple The Present Perfect expresses: 1.an action that began in the past and still continuous (unfinished past) We've lived in the same house for 25 years. Peter's worked as a teacher since 2000. Note: Many languages express this idea with a present tense, but in English this is wrong. Peter has been a teacher for ten years. NOT Peter is a teacher for ten years. These time expressions are common with this use: two years a month for a few minutes half an hour ages sinc 1970 e the end of the class August 5

8 o'clock Christmas We use for with a period of time and since with a point in time. 2.an experience that happened at some time in one's life. The action is in the past and finished, but the effects of the action are still felt. When the action happened is not important. I've been to the United States. (I still remember.) How many times has he been married? (in his life) The adverbs ever, never and before are common with this use. Have you ever been to Australia? I've never tried bungee jumping. Questions and answers about definite times are expressed in the Past Simple. When did you go to the United States? He met his second wife in the dry cleaner's.

3.a past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past. The taxi hasn't arrived yet. (We're still waiting for it.) What have you done to your lip? (It's bleeding.) The adverbs yet, already and just are common with this use. I haven't done my homework yet. (Negative) Has the postman been yet? (Question) I've already done my homework. She's just had some good news. ! Be careful with been and gone. He's been to the United States. (experience – he isn't there now) She's gone to the United States. (present result - she's there now)

Present Perfect - Diagram We use the Present Perfect for actions in the past which have a connection to the present. The time when these actions happened is not important.

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We use the Present Perfect for recently completed actions.

We use the Present Perfect for actions beginning in the past and still continuing.

4.2. Present Perfect Continuous We use the Present Perfect Continuous to express: 1.an activity that began in the past and is continuing now. I've been studying English for three years. How long have you been working here? Sometimes there is no difference between the simple and the continuous. I've played I've been playing

the piano since I was a boy.

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If the continuous is possible, English has a preference for using it. The continuous can sometimes express a temporary activity, and the simple a permanent state. I've been living in this house for the past few months. (temporary) I've lived here all my life. (permanent) Remember that state verbs rarely take the continuous form. I've had this book for ages. I've always loved sunny days. 2.a past activity that has caused a present result. I've been working all day. (I'm tired now.) Have you been crying? (Your eyes are red.) Roger's been cutting the grass. (I can smell it.) The past activity might be finished or it might not. The context usually makes this clear. Look out of the window! It's been snowing! (It has stopped snowing now.) I've been writing this book for two years. (It still isn't finished.)

4.3. Changing between the Present Perfect and Past Simple Students often have problems knowing when to switch from using the present perfect to the past simple in conversation. Usually, after starting a conversation with a question in the present perfect, we switch to the past simple to develop the exchange. However, this is not always the case, and we 8

can follow the original question with more questions in the present perfect. Which tense to use depends on the exact situation you are talking about. Consider the following exchange: Jane

Alan

Have you read any good books recently?

Well, yes I have, as a matter of fact.

Oh, well, which books have you read?

I've read 'Wonderful Life' and 'The Language Instinct'.

Really? And what did you think of them?

They were very good. I'd recommend them.

In this conversation, Jane's second question is about books, and, as she is not referring to a particular point in time, and it is still possible for Alan to read more books, it is natural to use the present perfect. For her final question she changes to the past simple, as the time she is referring to (which is not actually stated) is 'when you read them'. Now compare the above with: Jane Have you been to the cinema recently?

Alan Well, yes I have, as a matter of fact.

Oh, what film did you go to see? I went to see Seven. Really? What did you think of it? I thought it was OK. In Jane's second question she uses the singular, 'film', presumably because she's only interested in the film Alan saw most recently. She then uses the past simple, as she is referring to the time 'when you went to the cinema', and she doesn't imagine that the action will be repeated - that is, that Alan will go to see the film again.

4.4. Simple or Continuous? With some verbs it is possible to use both the simple and continuous forms of the present perfect: I've worked here for five years. 9

I've been working here for five years. The first form here can be considered the 'neutral', or normal, form. In this sentence the verb work has the meaning 'have a job', and as such refers to a state and not the activity you actually do when you are working. The sentence simply says how long this (your having the job) has been the case. The second sentence, in the continuous form, would be used in slightly different situations. For example: Jane You put those papers in the green filing cabinet.

Alan You don't have to tell me that I've been working here for five years, you know!

Here the continuous is used to give not just the duration of the state, but also imply a result of the fact that Alan has worked there for five years - he knows where to put the papers. A common situation where the continuous form is used is to imply that the situation is about to change: I've been living here for ten years. I think it's time I moved on. But note that the normal restrictions apply to verbs that don't take continuous forms: I've had this car since 1987. It's time I changed it. NOT I've been having this car since 1987. It's time I changed it.

4.5. Just 'Just' is commonly used with the present perfect simple to show that an action happened very recently. When 'just' is used the result referred to is often indirect, and this form can be used if you want to make it clear that the action is complete while at the same time explaining an indirect result of the action: I've just washed the car, which is why I'm wet.

4.6. Been vs. Gone? Both been and gone can be used as the participle of the verb to go. Compare the following two sentences: He's gone to the shops. (He's at the shops now.) He's been to the shops. (There's food in the fridge.) In the first sentence, we understand that he is at the shops now; in the second we understand that he is not at the shops now but that there is some other result of his going to the shops.

5. Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Simple 10

In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. The present perfect tense links the past and the present. It can be contrasted with the past simple tense. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if it's consequence in the present is important. The past simple tense

The present perfect tense

The present perfect tense may The past simple tense may describe activities or situations which describe completed activities began in the past and are still and past situations continuing • •

• •

• • •

In 1976, 60% of families • were couples with children. In 1981, 34% of children • aged 20-24 lived with their parents.

The number of one person households has grown. Over the past twenty years, the average size of households has fallen.

The past simple may describe activities without linking them to the present

The present perfect may describe completed activities whose impact is felt in the present

• They completed the research in 1972. • They arrived yesterday.

They have completed the research. (meaning: a short time ago; here it is). They have arrived. (meaning: a short time ago; here they are).

With past simple verbs, the time may be specified

With present perfect verbs, indefinite time expressions may be used

They completed the research • in 1972. They arrived yesterday.• The number of one person • households grew last year.

They have just completed the research. They have already arrived. The number of one person households has grown recently.

Compare these sentences:  I've broken my leg last year.  I broke my leg last year. He works as a musician all his  life.  He has worked as a musician all his life.  When have you been to Greece?  When did you go to Greece?  How long do you have your car?  How long have you had your 11

car?

5.1. Form Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple

regular verbs: form of 'have' + regular verbs: infinitive + ed infinitive + ed Example: Example: I worked I / you / we / they have worked he / she / it has worked irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular verbs column of irregular verbs Example: Example: I / you / we / they have spoken I spoke he / she / it has spoken

1.

2.

3.

4.

Exceptions when adding 'ed': when the final letter is e, only add d Example: love - loved save – saved after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled Example: admit – admitted stop – stopped final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English) Example: travel - travelled after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel) Example: worry - worried but: play - played

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5.2. Certain time in the past or just / already / yet? Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened? Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple

certain time in the past just / already / not yet Example: Example: I phoned Mary 2 minutes I have just phoned Mary. ago. Martin has just crashed his Martin crashed his car last car . year. (This is new information.) (This is old information.)

5.3. Certain event in the past or how often so far? Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has happened till now? Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple

certain event in the past whether / how often till now Example: Example: He went to Canada last Have you ever been to Canada? / I summer. have been to Canada twice. I saw three movies last I have seen three movies this week. week. (Last week has finished.)

(This week has not finished yet.)

5.4. Emphasis on action or result? Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result (a past action's consequence in the present)? Past Simple

Present Perfect Simple

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Emphasis on action Example: I bought a new bike.

Emphasis on result Example: I have bought a new bike.

(Just telling what I did in the past.)

(With this sentence I actually want to express that I have a new bike now.)

5.5. Signal Words Past Simple

• • • • •

• • • yesterday • ... ago • in 1990 • the other day • last ... • • •

Present Perfect Simple just already up to now until now / till now (n)ever (not) yet so far lately / recently since for

! Note: It is always for a length of time and since a point in time

6. Present Perfect Simple passive Form has (singular) or have (plural) + been + past participle It

has been

They

have

sold.

Use The uses are the same in the passive as in the active. Examples: 14

• • • • • • • • •

The report has been reviewed. Prices have been increased. He has been kissed. A house has been built by Peter. I have been driven. It has been sold. They have been sold. Two million cars have been produced so far this year. Has she ever been made redundant?

7. Conclusion The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. The present perfect continuous tense refers to an action that started in the past, but has continued to the present or has just finished. The Present Perfect tenses relate past actions and activities to the present. Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: we use the Present Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We use the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.

7. 1.

Form

7.1.1. Present Perfect Simple We form the Present Perfect Simple with have and the past participle (regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs). have/has + -ed (past participle) has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it) have: all other forms Positive and negative: I worked in a We 've factory. You (have) They haven't

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He She

's (has) hasn't

Question: I we you known Peter? he she

How long have How long has Short anwer:

Have you always lived in Budapest?

Yes, I have. No, I haven't.

7.1.2. Present Perfect Continuous The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb have in the corresponding form for the subject of the sentence, followed by the participle 'been' of the auxilary verb be, followed by the -ING form of the main verb. have/has + been + -ing (present participle) Positive and negative: I 've We (have) You haven't They He She It

been working.

's (has) hasn't

Question:

How long

I we have you been they working ? he has she it 16

Short anwer: Have you been running?

Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.

Has he been shopping?

Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.

7.2. Use They are used: 1. to express unfinished past. He's worked here for ten years. Have you been waiting long? The verb action began in the past and still continues. In this use there is little difference between the simple and the continuous. If the continuous is possible in English, it tends to be used. However, remember that state verbs rarely take the continuous form. 2. to express the present result of a past event. (The past event is usually recent.) A You've changed. What have you done to yourself? B I've lost a lot of weight. I've been taking exercise, and I've been watching my diet. I've just finished reading an excellent book. In this use, the simple emphasizes the completed action, and the continuous emphasizes the repeated activity. 3. to express a past experience, the time of which is not specified. Have you ever been in a plane crash? I have. I've heard this story before. (The experience happened sometime in my life, but exactly when is not important.) The continuous is unusual in this use.

7.3. Present Perfect Simple vs. Continuous 1. The simple expresses a completed action. I've painted the kitchen, and now I'm doing the bathroom. 17

The continuos expresses an activity over a period and things that happened during the activity. I've got paint in my hair because I've been decorating. Because the simple expresses a completed action, we use it if the sentence gives a number or quantity. Here, the continuous isn't possible. I've been reading all day. I've read ten chapters. She's been eating ever since she arrived. She's eaten ten biscuits already. 2. Some verbs don't have the idea of a long time, for example, find, start, buy, die, lose, break, stop. These verbs are more usually found in the simple. Some verbs have the idea of a long time, for example, wait, work, play, try, learn, rain. These verbs are often found in the continuous. I've cut my finger. (One short action.) I've been cuting firewood. (Perhaps over several hours.)

7.4. Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Simple 1. The Present Perfect is for unfinished actions. The Past Simple is for completed actions. Compare:

Present Perfect

Past Simple

I've lived in Texas for six years. (I still live there.)

I lived in Texas for six years. (Now I live somewhere else.)

I've written several books. Shakespeare wrote 30 plays. (I can still write some more.) (He can't write any more.) 2. We can see that the Present Perfect refers to indefinite time and the Past Simple refers to definite time by looking at the time expressions used with the different tenses. Present Perfect – indefinite

I've done it

Past Simple – definite yesterday. last week. two days ago. at 8 o'clock. I did it in 1987. when I was young. for a long time.

for a long time. since July. before. recently.

! Be careful with this morning/afternoon, etc. 18

Have you seen Amy this morning? (It's still morning.) Did you see Amy this morning? (It's the afternoon or evening.)

7.5. Present Perfect Simple passive Form has (singular) or have (plural) + been + past participle It

has been

They

have

sold.

Use The uses are the same in the passive as in the active. Examples: Two million cars have been produced so far this year. (unfinished past) Has she ever been made redundant? (past experience) 'Have you heard? Two hundred homes have been washed away by a tidal wave!' (present importance) Coca-Cola has been produced for over 100 years. That castle has been visited by many tourists. A Picasso painting has been stolen from the Prado Museum. The bill has been paid by Kerrie. A letter has been written by Rita. The postcard has been sent. The door has been closed. The money has been spent. Trees have been planted

in the street.

8. LITERATURE 1. John and Liz Soars, New Headway, English Course, Pre-

Intermediate, Student's Book, (p136, 142) 2. John and Liz Soars, New Headway, the THIRD edition,

Intermediate, Student's Book, (p143,144,148) 3. John and Liz Soars, Headway, Upper-Intermediate, Student's

Book, p111 19

4. Mustafa Tanović, Gramatika engleskog jezika, Mostar 2002.

(p20-26) 5. Dr. Branko Ostojić, Englesko-bosanski i Bosansko-engleski riječnik, «Svjetlost», 1998. 6. Vlastimir Kalman, Antonija Šober-Alkalaj, «Engleski 1 sa rješenjima vježbanja», XIII izdanje, «Svjetlost» Sarajevo, 1998. (p78-80) 7. Vlastimir Kalman, Antonija Šober-Alkalaj, «Engleski 2 sa rješenjima vježbanja», VIII izdanje, «Svjetlost» Sarajevo, 2000. (p56-59) 8. Antonija Duić, Zvonka Filipović, Maja Šenoa, «English Course», stage 2, fourth edition, Centar za učenje stranih jezika u Zagrebu, 1980. (p130,151,152)

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