English Grammar

Grammar Reference

Unit 1

Present Perfect Simple and Continuous

Present Perfect Simple

Form ( Has/Have + past participle)

We use the present perfect simple to talk about:

• Something that happened during a period of time that started in the past and goes up to the present.

• I’ve heard this song before.

• A state or situation that began at a specific point in the past, but continuous up to the present.

• He has been a musician most of his life.

• Past Experiences (often used with ever, never, etc.)

• I’ve never flown a plane, but I  have driven  a car.

• An action or event that happened in the (usually recent) past, but which has a result in the present.        

• He isn’t performing now because he’s broken his leg.

Present Perfect Continuous

Form ( has/have + been + present participle (gerund –ing).

• A continuous or repeated activity/event which began in the past and is still in progress now ( or has just finished); we emphasize the duration of the activity – that is, how long.

• I’ve been reading for over an hour.

• A continuous or repeated action/event, which began recently, and will soon end – that is, it is temporary.

• I’ve been staying at my friend’s house since I arrived here, but now I’ve found a flat to rent.

Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous

• Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration (how long) of an activity up to the present or the (very) recent past; Present Perfect Simple emphasizes the result – that is, a particular total (how many).

• I’ve been reading for over an hour.

(present perfect continuous for duration)

• I’ve read nearly fifty pages so far.

(present perfect simple for total result)

• Present Perfect Continuous is NOT used with stative verbs; we use present perfect simple instead.

• I’ve been reading this book for over an hour, but I  haven’t understood what it’s about. (Not - haven’t been understanding).

Stative Verbs

Some verbs are called ‘stative’ or ‘state’ verbs, because they describe a permanent state, feeling or thought rather than an action. We don’t use continuous tenses with stative verbs. They include be, believe, hate, have, know, like, love, need, prefer, seem, think, understand and want.

 I Know  all of his songs. (NOT – I am knowing).

I love African music (NOT – I am loving).

Present Tenses.

Regular actions and habits.

Notice that when we talk about repeated actions, habits and so on in the present, we are referring to something called ‘extended present’ – that is, a period of time which may cover several years in the past and several years into the future.

• We use the present simple to talk about regular habits or actions, permanent states or situations, and things that are always true.

• I usually go to the gym twice a week.

(Regular habit or action)

• Alberto works as theatrical lighting technician.

(Permanent situation)

• Water freezes at about 0º Celsius.

(a law of nature – i.e something that is always true)

• We can also use will to talk about repeated actions which are routine, customary or automatic in a particular situation; notice that it refers to the ( extended) present, NOT only the future. This is often used with when, if whenever, etc. and it is also common to include an adverb of frequency such as usually, normally, often and so on.

• My brother will usually help me if I have a problem.
• When I get home after college, I will normally have a shower and a light snack.

• We can use the Present Continuous to talk about repeated actions in the extended present, but when we do it usually has a specific meaning. We generally use it with always (or synonyms such as forever, continually, etc.) to complain about irritating habits.

• You’re always borrowing my things without asking – it is very annoying!

Action in progress and temporary actions

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