Present perfect Use

For past experiences.We don’t say when it happened.

Present perfect Examples

Present perfect Use

• For unfinished actions which started in the past and are still true now, especially with be, have (possession), and know.

• Use with for, since and the question How long?.

Present perfect Examples

• We’ve had this car for six months.• I’ve known them for several years.• How long have you been married?• Since 1998.

Present perfect Typical errors

• NOT We have this car for …• NOT I know her for…• NOT How long are you ….• use for + a period of time (an hour / two

days / three months / a long time / ages )• use since + a point in time (1 o’clock /

Tuesday / November / 2004 / I left school.)

Present perfect Use

• For an action in the past which has recently finished. (You can often see the results of the action when you speak).

Present perfect Examples

• They’ve painted the house themselves.• Look! I’ve cut myself.

Present perfect Use

• Used with just, already, and yet.

Present perfect Examples

• He’s just arrived.• They’ve already finished.• She hasn’t finished yet.• Has she finished yet?

Present perfect continuousUse

• For unfinished actions which started in the past and are still going on now.

Present perfect continuous Examples

I’ve been learning English for five years. (I started learning English five years ago and I’m

still learning English now.)

How long has he been working here?(He started working here at some time in the

past and is still working here now.

Present perfect continuous Typical errors

! Don’t use the present coninuous like this:NOT I am learning English since last year. How long is he working here?! Do not use the continuous form with state

verbs like: be, seem, have, know, understandI’ve known him for many years.NOT I’ve been knowing him for many years.

Present perfect continuousUse

• For a continuous action in the past which has recently finished. (You can often see the results of the action when you speak.)

Present perfect continuous Examples

You’re all wet. What have you been doing?I’ve been washing the car.

Note the difference: I’ve been writing emails all morning.I’ve written a dozen emails this morning.NOT I’ve been writing a dozen emails…

Put the verbs in the present perfect simple or continuous

1. How long _________ their car? (have) It’s new. _________ it. (buy)2. _________ a job yet? (she/find) No, _________ one for ages. (she/look for)3. How long _________ ? (rain) _________ (it/just/start)

How long have they had their car? (have) It’s new. They’ve just bought it. (buy)2. Has she found a job yet? (she/find) No, she’s been looking for one for ages.

(she/look for)3. How long has it been raining? (rain) It has just started (it/just/start)

Put the verbs in the present perfect simple or continuous

4. You look tired. What _________ ? (do) _________ all night. (study)5. _________ the new Spielberg film yet? Yes, _________ . (already/see) It’s very good.6. _________ that book I lent you yet? (finish)

_________ it for ages. (read)

4. You look tired. What have you been doing? I’ve been studying all night. (study)5. Have you seen the new Spielberg film yet? Yes, I’ve already seen it. (already/see) It’s very

good.6. Have you finished that book I lent you yet?

(finish) You’ve been reading it for ages. (read)

Make questions with How long…?

1. Keven’t got a new car.2. They’re living in Paris.3. I know Anne very well.4. Mark’s studying Russian.5. David and Vanessa are married.6. I’m waiting for the bus.

1. Keven’t got a new car.2. They’re living in Paris.

3. I know Anne very well.

4. Mark’s studying Russian.

5. David and Vanessa are married.

6. I’m waiting for the bus.

How long has he had it?How long have they been

living in Paris?How long have you known

Anne?How long has M. been

studying Russian?How long have D. and V.

been married?How long have you been

waiting for the bus?

1. Sono in dieta da un mese e ho già perso 4 chili.2. Non sei venuto alla lezione ieri, vero?3. Nessuno degli studenti ha letto il libro.4. Lavoro dalle 6.00 di questa mattina e sono

assolutamente esausta.5. Si sono innamorati non appena si sono

conosciuti.6. Dove sei stato? Sono tre ore che ti aspetto!7. La settimana scorsa abbiamo letto un articolo

molto interessante.