Perfect (Simple & Continuous) - GE 9 - 7

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE (PPS)

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE	Example
For states that started in the past and continue in the present.	Even Chinese people I have known for years are amazed at how fast things have changed.
For experiences in our lives up to now.	I have visited many modern cities.
For completed actions that happened recently, but we don’t say exactly when.	I have just got back from my bike ride and I am in my hotel room.
With superlatives.	Shanghai is the one of the most spectacular cities I have ever seen in my life
To talk about change.	The city authorities have become more and more concerned about pollution.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS	Example
For longer actions that started in the past and continue in the present.	He has been working in China for 20 years.
For longer actions that have recently finished, but have a result in the present.	Today I have been cycling around the Pudong area of the city, and I am both exhausted and exhilarated by the experience.
For actions that happened repeatedly in the past and still happen in the present.	I have been coming to China for nearly 25 years.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE	PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
a. I have known Eddy for about 5 years. b. He hasn’t called me since Friday. c. What have you done today?	a. I have been living here since 2006. b. She has not been working very hard. c. Who have you been talking to?
We have completed something or something has been completed: I have done my homework. (the homework is finished now).	To emphasize the actions we have been doing. I have been doing my homework. (we don’t know if the homework is finished or not).
With verbs that describe short actions: Break – start – find – lose – buy – stop – finish. I have been breaking have broken my glasses.	With verbs that describe longer actions: Learn – study – rain – try – play – read – wait. I have been learning English for 6 years.

Both

With work and live, both forms are possible:

- My sister has worked here for ages.

- My sister has been working here for ages.

- She has lived in London since 2011.

- She has been living in London since 2011.

Often use these words:

For – since – just – yet – already – still – ever – never – recently – lately.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

With this week, this month, this morning, this evening if it is still that time of day.

 

How long	How many
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS	PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
How long something has been happening.	How many things have been completed.
My company has been building skyscrapers here since 1993. How long has your company been building skyscrapers?	This year we have built 5 new apartment blocks. How many (+noun) apartment blocks have you built?

For state verbs must use PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE with how long :

How long have you had your car?