PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE PRESENT PERFECT

1) Recent activity: to emphasize the recency of a past activity.

1) Indefinite time in the past
we often use lately or recently Example: She's been working
(experience). Emphasis is on the
hard recently
completed action at an indefinite
2) Emphasis on the duration or length of an activity Example:
time in the past. Example: Susan's
Jack has been painting for 4 hours.
written 3 books.
3) Recently finished activity with a present result Example:
2) Emphasis on QUANTITY
I've been working in the garden, that's why my hands are so
Example: I've read 300 pages of
dirty.
Tom Smith's latest book.
4) No difference in meaning. Often the present perfect
3) Duration from past to present (see
progressive and the present perfect can have the same
#4 of present perfect progressive)
meaning. This is often the case with verbs of living,
Example: Peter has worked for that
occupation or vocation) Example: I've been living in Leghorn
company for 5 years.
for 3 years. OR I've lived in Leghorn for 3 years

The Present Perfect Tense - When to use

1. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives
or not. It is not important when we did it.

Examples
I have been abroad two times.
Anna has never broken a leg.
Have you ever eaten sushi?

Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.

2. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to
now.

Examples
I have been a teacher for more than ten years.
We haven't seen Janine since Friday.
How long have you been at this school?

Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.

3. We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present.

Examples
I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now.
Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now.
Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready?

Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the
result in the present.
PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE

1. How to form the Present Perfect Progressive: Present Perfect of BE + GERUND (-----ING)

I have been playing

You have been playing

He has been playing

She has been playing

It has been playing

We have been playing

They have been playing

Examples:

Ivan is studying English. He started studying in October.

IVAN HAS BEEN STUDYING ENGLISH SINCE OCTOBER.

Ana is also studying English. She started studying three months ago.

ANA HAS BEEN STUDYING ENGLISH FOR THREE MONTHS.

2. Complete the following sentences using the Present Perfect Continuous:

a) Mike collects baseball cards. He started in 1985.

Mike ____________________________ baseball cards since 1985.

b) Mr. & Mrs. Smith make wine. They started in June.

Mr. & Mrs. Smith ____________________________ wine since June.

c) Ivan rides horses. He started when he was six.

Ivan ____________________________ horses since he was six.

d) Ana plays tennis. She started last year.

Ana ____________________________ tennis since last year.

3. FOR and SINCE

FOR tells us how long the action has been going on.

SINCE tells us when the action started.

Examples:

I've been waiting for the bus for 10 minutes.

We've been sitting here since three o'clock.

Ivan's been studying English since October.

Ana's been studying English for three months.

4. Questions with HOW LONG?

How long has Mike been collecting baseball cards?

____________________________________________________________________________

How long has Ana been playing tennis?

____________________________________________________________________________

How long have we been sitting here?

____________________________________________________________________________

How long has Ivan been studying English?

____________________________________________________________________________

5. Ask questions:

a) I collect antiques.

How long ______________________________________________________?

b) My brother plays the guitar.

How long ______________________________________________________?

c) Ivan uses the internet.

How long ______________________________________________________?

d) Ana listens to pop music. How long

______________________________________________________?

6. Student interaction.

Student A makes a statement, Student B asks a question with "how long?"

Examples:

A: I drive a tractor.

B: How long have you been driving a tractor?

A: My father plays golf.

B: How long has he been playing golf?

EXERCISE:

Put the verbs in the correct form of the Present Perfect Progressive.
1. I (work) for this company for seventeen years.

____________________________________________________________

2. Ana (talk) on the phone for over an hour.

____________________________________________________________

3. Ivan (listen to) Ana for over an hour.

____________________________________________________________

4. How long (it, rain)?

____________________________________________________________

5. Billy (study) Spanish for two years.

____________________________________________________________

6. The police (look for) the bank robber for weeks.

____________________________________________________________

7. India and Pakistan (fight) since 1948.

____________________________________________________________

8. Ivan (wait for) the bus for almost an hour.

____________________________________________________________

9. How long (Ana, play) the piano?

____________________________________________________________

10. My parents (live) in that house since 1977.

____________________________________________________________