present perfect simple vs present perfect continuous
TRANSCRIPT
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time beforenow. The exact time is not important. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecificexpressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already,yet, etc.
STRUCTURE
Positive--------- Subject + (have/has) + past participle + complement.
Negative-------- Subject + (have/has) + not + past participle + complement.
Question-------- (Have/has) + Subject + past participle + complement?
EXAMPLES
I have [I've] talked to Peter.
She hasn't gone to work.
Have they learned English?
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
The present perfect continuous expresses the meaning? until now? and makes the connection
between the past and present. Since it is continuous, it usually connotes an idea of continuity.
It is often used with prepositional phrases: for + amount of time and since + point in time.
STRUCTURE
Positive--------- Subject + (have/has) + been + present participle + complement.
Negative-------- Subject + (have/has) + not + been + present participle + complement.
Question-------- (Have/has) + Subject + been + present participle + complement?
EXAMPLES
They have [They've] been talking for three hours.
She hasn't [She's not] been studying English for very long.
Have they been talking for a long time?