REVIEW

Present Perfect Simple Past Simple

to talk about a period of time which continues to talk about a period of time which is finished
up to the present moment (since and for): (for):
I’ve lived there for four years (still living) I lived there for four years. (I don’t live there now)

with questions asking for “how long”: with questions asking ​when:
How long have you lived here? (I know you still live When did you move here? (the move is in the past)
here)
*(Sometimes also present perfect cont.)

in the negative, for unfinished actions and for completed actions and events in the past,
​ r ​ yet:
events, often with ​still o often with ​ago​:
I still haven’t sent the email. I sent the email half an hour ago.
I haven’t sent the email yet

for events repeated over a period of time until for events that happened at a particular time in
the present ( they may continue): the past.
You’ve played the saxophone every night Flight 206 landed at one o’clock.

for events which happen in the past at an when the time stated is finished.
unknown or irrelevant time: I spent this morning writing an essay.
I’ve started my essay.
I’ve lost my new camera.

when we talk about a period of time up to the when we talk about past events which are not
present: connected to the present:
I’ve been to Los Angeles but no to New York. I went to Los Angeles but not New York (on a
The team has won several matches. particular trip)

to talk about how many times something to talk about how many times something
happened up to now: happened in the past.
Alex has phoned Ella 3 times. Alex phones Ella three time yesterday

*Present Perfect Adverbs:​ already, before, just, ever, never, so far, recently, several times.
Present Perfect Simple (I have done) and ​Present Perfect Continuous (I have been doing) are both
used to describe events or activities which stopped recently. Some verbs can either go with the
present perfect simple or continuous with little difference in meaning.
These are verbs which describe activities which normally happen over a period of time. (live, study,
wait, work)

Present Perfect Continuous Present Perfect Simple

to talk about how long something has been to talk about how often or how many times
happening: something has happened:
I’ve been driving since five o’clock this morning. I’ve driven there several times before.
The children have been playing happily all morning. The children have played four games of tennis this
We’ve been worrying about her all week. morning.
How long have you been watching TV?

to focus on the activity of event itself (complete to focus on the present result of an activity or
or unimportant): event which is complete:
He’s been reading that book since he got up. I’ve read the newspapers.
I’ve been mending the car (reason why I’m dirty) I’ve ( already) mended the car. ( I’ve finished so we
can go out)

*​Remember → state verbs are not usually used in the present perfect continuous.

EXERCISES