PRESENT PERFECT or PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS? | the difference

Summary

In this lesson, Arnel explains the key differences between the present perfect and present perfect continuous tenses, breaking them down into simple steps. The present perfect focuses on actions completed in the past with a connection to the present, while the present perfect continuous emphasizes ongoing actions or their evidence. Arnel explores examples using both tenses and clarifies when certain verbs, especially stative ones, should only be used in the present perfect. The video concludes with a quiz to reinforce the differences and a friendly reminder to engage with the content and subscribe.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Present Perfect tense (have/has + past participle) is used to describe actions that started in the past and are completed, with a connection to the present.
• 😀 The Present Perfect Continuous tense (have/has been + verb-ing) is used to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue into the present or actions with visible evidence in the present.
• 😀 Present Perfect indicates that the action is finished, while Present Perfect Continuous highlights that the action is still in progress or has observable results.
• 😀 Stative verbs (e.g., be, know, belong) are not used in the Present Perfect Continuous, as they describe states or situations that don’t typically change over time.
• 😀 Example of Present Perfect: 'The movers have taken our stuff to the new house.' The action is finished.
• 😀 Example of Present Perfect Continuous: 'The movers have been taking our stuff to the new house.' The action is ongoing.
• 😀 The Present Perfect Continuous is often used to express temporary actions or new situations that started in the past and are continuing into the present.
• 😀 We use Present Perfect Continuous when we want to show visible evidence of a past action continuing into the present, like sweating after running.
• 😀 With verbs like 'live' and 'work', the Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous are often interchangeable, as they both can indicate ongoing situations.
• 😀 Use the Present Perfect when talking about finished past actions with a connection to the present, such as life experiences or completed tasks.
• 😀 Use the Present Perfect Continuous when focusing on actions that are temporary, ongoing, or show visible effects in the present, such as 'My roommate has been acting really odd lately.'

Q & A

What is the difference between the present perfect and the present perfect continuous tenses?

The present perfect is used to describe actions that started in the past and are completed with a present result (have/has + past participle). The present perfect continuous, on the other hand, emphasizes the ongoing nature of the action (have/has been + verb-ing), often indicating that the action is still happening or its effects are still visible.

Can you give an example of the present perfect tense?

An example of the present perfect tense is: 'The movers have taken our stuff to the new house.' This indicates that the action of moving is finished, and the present situation is that the house is empty.

What is an example of the present perfect continuous tense?

An example of the present perfect continuous tense is: 'The movers have been taking our stuff to the new house.' This suggests that the action of moving is still ongoing, and the movers are still in the process of moving items.

What does 'ongoing evidence' mean in the context of the present perfect continuous?

'Ongoing evidence' refers to situations where the action may have finished, but there is still a visible effect in the present. For example, 'I’ve been running'—the running is complete, but the person is still sweating, which is the ongoing evidence of the past action.

What are stative verbs, and why can't they be used in the present perfect continuous?

Stative verbs describe situations or states that are generally unchanging, such as 'be,' 'know,' and 'belong.' These verbs cannot be used in the present perfect continuous because they do not describe actions that can be ongoing. For example, you say 'I have known about this' but not 'I have been knowing about this.'

Can you use the present perfect continuous with the verb 'know'?

No, you cannot use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs like 'know.' The correct form is 'I have known about this,' not 'I have been knowing about this,' as the state of knowing is not ongoing in the same way an action can be.

Why can’t you say 'I have been breaking my foot' in the present perfect continuous?

You cannot say 'I have been breaking my foot' because breaking a bone is a quick, one-time event. The present perfect continuous is used for actions that are ongoing or have a prolonged effect, but breaking something happens quickly, so it is not used in this form.

When would you use the present perfect continuous instead of the present perfect?

You would use the present perfect continuous when describing a temporary or new situation, or when an action started in the past and is still continuing into the present. For example, 'My roommate has been acting really odd lately,' indicating that the odd behavior began in the past and is still continuing.

What is the difference between 'I’ve lived in Texas since 2015' and 'I’ve been living in Texas since 2015'?

Both sentences essentially mean the same thing in terms of living in Texas, but the present perfect ('I’ve lived') emphasizes the fact that you’ve been living there for a period of time, while the present perfect continuous ('I’ve been living') suggests that this is an ongoing situation that started in the past and continues into the present.

How do you know if a verb is stative or dynamic when choosing between the present perfect and the present perfect continuous?

Stative verbs generally describe states or situations that do not change, such as 'be,' 'know,' and 'belong,' and they are used with the present perfect tense. Dynamic verbs, on the other hand, describe actions or events that can be ongoing and are often used with the present perfect continuous. For example, 'I have worked' (dynamic) vs. 'I have been working' (also dynamic but with emphasis on ongoing action).