PRESENT PERFECT /PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

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Finished actions in an undefined time period --- Unfinished action

I have painted the room. (the room is now perfect)

Nowx

past

We have been painting the room.

finishedaction

nowx

Past

Are they finished painting the room?No, they aren’t.

Present perfect simple

Present perfect continuous

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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

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PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS- DURATION

nowx

Past

She has been waiting for an hour in the snow.

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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLEFOR, SINCE

I have worked (or have been working) here for ten years.

FOR + a period of time

I have worked (or have been working) here since 1998.

SINCE + a point of time

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PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE/CONTINUOUS- DURATION

nowx

Past

They have been working in this company for 10 years

They have worked in this company for 10 years

With (work, live) you can use pp cont, or simple - for duration.

2002

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State Verbs

• Some verbs are not normally used in their continuous form. They

describe states that stay the same rather than actions or events that

change.

• MENTAL PROCESSES.• believe, feel, remember, realize,

understand, know, suspect.• I understand pres. Simple.• EMOTIONAL STATES• love, want, prefer, doubt, • I want a dog.• SENSES• smell, hear, see, taste• This wine tastes good• POSSESSIONS• Have, own, belong• I have a Vespa

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DURATION- STATE VS. ACTION VERBS

• I have known Tom for 10 years.

• I have been a member of the tennis club for 11 years.

• I have had this watch for 3 years.

• I have liked pizza since I was a child

• We have been riding motorcycles since 2002.

• I have been playing tennis there for a long time.

• I have been using it since I bought it.

• I’ve been eating it since I was little.

Text

State Verbs Action verbs

Ongoing event that repeats starting in the past and that continues until the present.

He’s been complaining a lot lately.He’s been leaving early a lot recently.He’s been Watching a lot of TV.

nowxxxxx

•

Difference between present continuous and present perfect continuous

Rob Novis 2013