Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Progressive
| Present Perfect Simple | Present Perfect Progressive |
|---|---|
| Form | Form |
| - AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES | - AFFIRMATIVE SENTENCES |
| subject + have/has + past participle | subject + have/has + been + base form + -ing |
| - NEGATIVE SENTENCES | - NEGATIVE SENTENCES |
| subject + have/has + not + past participle | subject + have/has + not + been + base form + -ing |
| - INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES | - INTERROGATIVE SENTENCES |
| have/has + subject + past participle | have/has + subject + been + base form + -ing |
| Use | Use |
| 1. Present impact of past actions/recent events | 1. Unfinished continuous or repetitive actions |
| > The baby is developing separation anxiety because her mum has started working again. | > The baby has been crying for twenty minutes. |
| 2. Unfinished actions started in the past | 2. Recently finished actions with evidence |
| > I haven’t met the doctor this month. (from the first day of the month till now) | > That child is tired, he has been running around the whole afternoon. |
| 3. Unfinished periods of time | 3. Unfinished activities in a period of time |
| > Mrs Hollister has worked as a midwife for 20 years. (she’s still working) | > Mum has been cooking all day. (both day and cooking haven’t finished yet) |
| 4. Present result of completed actions in a period of time | |
| > The baby has eaten three times since this morning. | |
| 5. Finished past events with no time reference | |
| > We ’ve had many good baby-sitters. | |
| Time Expressions | Time Expressions |
| just, ever, never, already, yet, for (total duration), since (beginning of duration), still, so far, recently, this/these + time expression, today, how long? | for (total duration), since (beginning of duration), recently, this/these + time expression, today, how long? |
| > How long have you been in hospital? – For one week. | > Dad has been painting the baby’s room since two o’clock. |
20. Complete the following sentences with the Present Perfect Simple or the Present Perfect Progressive of the verb given.
1. It’s 10.30 already, but the baby ___________ (not eat) yet this morning.
2. It’s incredible, the baby ___________ (sleep) all morning and hasn’t woken up yet!
3. We ___________ (be) to the doctor’s three times this month.
4. Look at the boys’ clothes! They must ___________ (play) in the rain.
5. I am exhausted, I ___________ (clean) the boy’s room since 8 o’clock this morning.
6. That doctor ___________ (be) as a paediatrician for 30 years.
7. Susan is losing weight now because she ___________ (start) exercising.
8. I ___________ (not have) any trouble breastfeeding my children.
9. I ___________ (see) Daniel twice recently.
10. Gosh, your daughter ___________ (grow) taller!