PRESENT TENSE

I. Present simple
The simple present (also called present simple or present indefinite) is a verb
tense which is used to show repetition, habit or generalization. Less commonly, the
simple present can be used to talk about scheduled actions in the near future and, in
some cases, actions happening now. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples,
and simple present exercises.

Simple Present Forms

The simple present is just the base form of the verb. Questions are made
with do and negative forms are made with do not.

 Statement: You speak English.
 Question: Do you speak English?
 Negative: You do not speak English.

In the third person singular, -s or -es is added. Questions are made with does and

negative forms are made with does not.

 Statement: He speaks English.
 Question: Does he speak English?
 Negative: He does not speak English.

Complete List of Simple Present Forms

Simple Present Uses

USE 1 Repeated Actions

Use the simple present to express the idea that an action is repeated or usual. The
action can be a habit, a hobby, a daily event, a scheduled event or something that
often happens. It can also be something a person often forgets or usually does not
do.

Examples:

 I play tennis.
 She does not play tennis.
 Does he play tennis?
  The train leaves every morning at 8 AM.
 The train does not leave at 9 AM.
 When does the train usually leave?
 She always forgets her purse.
 He never forgets his wallet.
 Every twelve months, the Earth circles the Sun.
 Does the Sun circle the Earth?

USE 2 Facts or Generalizations

The simple present can also indicate the speaker believes that a fact was true
before, is true now, and will be true in the future. It is not important if the speaker is
correct about the fact. It is also used to make generalizations about people or things.

Examples:

 Cats like milk.
 Birds do not like milk.
 Do pigs like milk?
 California is in America.
 California is not in the United Kingdom.
 Windows are made of glass.
 Windows are not made of wood.
 New York is a small city. It is not important that this fact is untrue.

USE 3 Scheduled Events in the Near Future

Speakers occasionally use simple present to talk about scheduled events in the near
future. This is most commonly done when talking about public transportation, but it
can be used with other scheduled events as well.

Examples:

 The train leaves tonight at 6 PM.

 The bus does not arrive at 11 AM, it arrives at 11 PM.
 When do we board the plane?
 The party starts at 8 o'clock.
 When does class begin tomorrow?

USE 4 Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

Speakers sometimes use the simple present to express the idea that an action is
happening or is not happening now. This can only be done with non-continuous
verbs and certain mixed verbs.

Examples:

 I am here now.
 She is not here now.
 He needs help right now.
 He does not need help now.
 He has his passport in his hand.
 Do you have your passport with you?

Simple Present Tips

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You only speak English.
 Do you only speak English?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Once a week, Tom cleans the car. Active

 Once a week, the car is cleaned by Tom. Passive

Present simple

Level: beginner

The present tense is the base form of the verb:

I  work in London. 

But with the third person singular (she/he/it), we add an –s:

She works in London.

Present simple questions

Look at these questions:

Do you play the piano?
Where do you live?
Does Jack play  football?
Where does he come from?
Do Rita and Angela live in Manchester?
Where do they  work?

We use do and does to make questions with the present simple. We use does for the third

person singular (she/he/it) and do for the others.

We use do and does with question words like where, what and when:

Where do Angela and Rita live?

What does Angela do?
When does Rita usually get up?

But questions with who often don't use do or does:

Who lives in London?

Who plays football at the weekend?
Who works at Liverpool City Hospital?

Here are some useful questions. Try to remember them:

Where do you come from? What work do you do?

Do you come from …? Do you like …?
Where do you live? Do you know …?
Do you live in ...?  

Present simple questions 1

Present simple questions 2
Present simple questions 3
Present simple questions 4

Present simple negatives

Look at these sentences:

I like tennis but I don't like football. (don't = do not)

I  don't live in London now.
I  don't play the piano but I play the guitar.
 They don't work  at the weekend.
John doesn't live in Manchester. (doesn't = does not)
Angela  doesn't drive to work. She goes by bus.

We use do and does to make negatives with the present simple. We use doesn't for the third

person singular (she/he/it) and don't for the others.
Present simple negatives 1
Present simple negatives 2

Present simple and present time

We use the present simple to talk about:

 something that is true in the present:

I'm nineteen years old.

I'm a student.
He  lives in London.

 something that happens regularly in the present:

I  play football every weekend.

 something that is always true:

The human body  contains 206 bones.

Light travels at almost 300,000 kilometres per second.

We often use adverbs of frequency like sometimes, always and never with the present simple:

I  sometimes go to the cinema.

She never plays football.

Here are some useful sentences. Complete them so that they are true for you and try to
remember them:

My name is … . I'm a(n) … .

I'm … years old. I … at the weekend.
I come from … . I often … .
I live in … . I never … .

Complete these sentences so that they are true for a friend and try to remember them:

Her/His name is … . She's/He's a(n) … .

She's/He's … years old. She/He … at the weekend.
 She/He comes from … . She/He often … .
She/He lives in … . She/He never … .

Present simple 1
Present simple 2
Present simple 3
Present simple 4
Present simple 5
Present simple 6
Present simple 7

Level: intermediate

Present simple and future time

We also use the present simple to talk about:

 something that is fixed in the future:

The school term starts  next week.

The train leaves  at 19.45 this evening.
We fly to Paris next week.

 something in the future after time words like when, after and before and after if and unless:

I'll talk to John when I see him.

You must finish your work  before you go home.
If it rains we'll get wet.
He won't come unless you ask  him.
Present simple 8

Level: advanced

We sometimes use the present simple to talk about the past when we are: 

 telling a story:

I was walking down the street the other day when suddenly this man comes up to me
and  tells me he  has lost his wallet and asks me to lend him some money. Well, he looks a
bit dangerous so I'm not sure what to do and while we  are standing there …

 summarising a book, film or play:

Harry Potter goes to Hogwarts School. He has two close friends, Hermione and …

Shakespeare's Hamlet is the Prince of Denmark. One night he sees his father's ghost. The
ghost  tells him  he  has been murdered  …

II. Present continuous

The present continuous (also called present progressive) is a verb tense which is
used to show that an ongoing action is happening now, either at the moment of
speech or now in a larger sense. The present continuous can also be used to show
that an action is going to take place in the near future. Read on for detailed
descriptions, examples, and present continuous exercises.

Present Continuous Forms

The present continuous is formed using am/is/are + present participle. Questions
are indicated by inverting the subject and am/is/are. Negatives are made with not.

 Statement: You are watching TV.
 Question: Are you watching TV?
 Negative: You are not watching TV.

Complete List of Present Continuous Forms

Present Continuous Uses

USE 1 Now

Use the present continuous with normal verbs to express the idea that something is
happening now, at this very moment. It can also be used to show that something is
not happening now.

Examples:

 You are learning English now.

 You are not swimming now.
 Are you sleeping?
 I am sitting.
 I am not standing.
 Is he sitting or standing?
 They are reading their books.
 They are not watching television.
  What are you doing?
 Why aren't you doing your homework?

USE 2 Longer Actions in Progress Now

In English, "now" can mean: this second, today, this month, this year, this century,
and so on. Sometimes, we use the present continuous to say that we are in the
process of doing a longer action which is in progress; however, we might not be
doing it at this exact second.

Examples: (All of these sentences can be said while eating dinner in a restaurant.)

 I am studying to become a doctor.

 I am not studying to become a dentist.
 I am reading the book Tom Sawyer.
 I am not reading any books right now.
 Are you working on any special projects at work?
 Aren't you teaching at the university now?

USE 3 Near Future

Sometimes, speakers use the present continuous to indicate that something will or
will not happen in the near future.

Examples:

 I am meeting some friends after work.

 I am not going to the party tonight.
 Is he visiting his parents next weekend?
 Isn't he coming with us tonight?

USE 4 Repetition and Irritation with "Always"

The present continuous with words such as "always" or "constantly" expresses the
idea that something irritating or shocking often happens. Notice that the meaning is
like simple present, but with negative emotion. Remember to put the words "always"
or "constantly" between "be" and "verb+ing."
Examples:

 She is always coming to class late.

 He is constantly talking. I wish he would shut up.
 I don't like them because they are always complaining.

Present Continuous Tips

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs / Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present continuous with these verbs,
you must use simple present.

Examples:

 She is loving this chocolate ice cream. Not Correct

 She loves this chocolate ice cream. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You are still watching TV.

 Are you still watching TV?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Right now, Tom is writing the letter. Active

 Right now, the letter is being written by Tom. Passive

Present Continuous
(also called Present Progressive)

We often use the Present Continuous tense in English. It is very different

from the Present Simple tense, both in structure and in use.

How do we make the Present Continuous tense?

The structure of the Present Continuous tense is:

subjec + auxiliary be + main verb

t

conjugated in Present  
Simple

am, are, is present participle (-ing)

The auxiliary verb (be) is conjugated in the Present Simple: am, are, is

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the

main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Continuous tense:

  subject auxiliary verb   main  

verb

+ I am   speaking to you.

+ You are   reading this.

   subject auxiliary verb   main  
verb

- She is no staying in London.

t

- We are no playing football.

t

? Is he   watching TV?

? Are they   waiting for John?

How do we use the Present Continuous tense?

We use the Present Continuous to talk about:

 action happening now

 action in the future

Present Continuous for action happening now

a) for action happening exactly now

I am eating my lunch.

past present future

The action is happening  

 now.

Look at these images. Right now you are looking at this screen and at the
same time...

the pages are the candle is the numbers are

turning burning spinning

b) for action happening around now

The action may not be happening exactly now, but it is happening just
before and just after now, and it is not permanent or habitual.

John is looking for a new job.

past present future

   

  The action is happening  

"around" now.

Look at these examples:

 Muriel is learning to drive.

 I am living with my sister until I find an apartment.
Present Continuous for the future
We can also use the Present Continuous tense to talk about the future - if
we add a future word!! We must add (or understand from the context) a
future word. "Future words" include, for example, tomorrow, next year, in
June, at Christmas etc. We only use the Present Continuous tense to talk
about the future when we have planned to do something before we speak.
We have already made a decision and a plan before speaking.

I am taking my exam next month.

past present future

  !!!

  A firm plan or programme exists The action is in

now. the future.

Look at these examples:

 We're eating at Joe's Cafe tonight. We've already booked the table..
 They can play tennis with you tomorrow. They're not working.
 When are you starting your new job?

In these examples, a firm plan or programme exists before speaking.

The decision and plan were made before speaking.

How do we spell the Present Continuous tense?

We make the Present Continuous tense by adding -ing to the base verb.
Normally it's simple: we just add -ing. But sometimes we have to change
the word a little. Perhaps we double the last letter, or we drop a letter. Here
are the rules to help you know how to spell the Present Continuous tense.

Basic rule Just add -ing to the base verb:

 work → working

play → playing

assist → assisting

see → seeing

be → being

Exception If the base verb ends in consonant + stressed vowel +

consonant, double the last letter:

s t o p

  consonant stressed consonant

vowel

vowels = a, e, i, o, u

stop → stopping

run → running

begin → beginning
 Note that this exception does not apply when the last syllable
of the base verb is not stressed:

open → opening

Exception If the base verb ends in ie, change the ie to y:

lie → lying

die → dying

Exception If the base verb ends in vowel + consonant + e, omit the e:

come → coming

mistake → mistaking

Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the

Present Continuous tense is sometimes called the Present Progressive
tense.

Present continuous

Level: beginner

The present continuous is made from the present tense of the verb be and the –ing form of a
verb:

I  am working
 You  are playing

He  is talking

She  is living

It  is eating

We  are staying

They  are sleeping

We use the present continuous to talk about:

 activities at the moment of speaking:

I'm just leaving work. I'll be home in an hour.

Please be quiet. The children are sleeping.
Present continuous 1
Present continuous 2

 future plans or arrangements:

Mary  is going to a new school next term.

What are  you  doing next week?
Present continuous 3
Present continuous 4

Present continuous questions

We make questions by putting am, is or are in front of the subject:

Are  you listening?
Are  they coming to your party?
 When is  she going home?
What am I doing here?
Present continuous questions 1
Present continuous questions 2

Present continuous negatives

We make negatives by putting not (or n't) after am, is or are:

I'm not doing that.
You  aren't  listening. (or You're not listening.)
They aren't coming to the party. (or They're not coming to the party.)
She isn't going home until Monday. (or She's not going home until Monday.)
Present continuous negatives 1
Present continuous negatives 2

Stative verbs
We do not normally use the continuous with stative verbs. Stative verbs include:

 verbs of thinking and feeling:

believe love recognise understand

dislike hate remember want
know prefer suppose wish
like realise think  (= believe)  

 verbs of the senses:

appear look smell taste

feel seem sound  

 others:

agree belong need own

be disagree owe possess

We normally use the simple instead:

 I understand you. (NOT  I am understanding you.)
This cake tastes wonderful. (NOT This cake is tasting wonderful.)

Level: intermediate

We also use the present continuous to talk about:

 something which is happening before and after a specific time:

At eight o'clock we are  usually having breakfast.

When I get home the children  are doing their homework.

 something which we think is temporary:

Michael is at university. He's studying history.

I'm working in London for the next two weeks.

 something which is new and contrasts with a previous state:

These days  most people are using email instead of writing letters.

What sort of clothes are teenagers wearing nowadays?
What sort of music are  they listening to?

 something which is changing, growing or developing:

The children  are growing up  quickly.

The climate is changing rapidly.
Your English  is improving.

 something which happens again and again:

It's always raining in London.

They are always arguing.
George is great. He's always laughing.

Note that we normally use always with this use.

 
Present continuous 5

Level: advanced

We can use the present continuous to talk about the past when we are:

 telling a story:

The other day I'm just walking down the street when suddenly this man comes up to me and
asks me to lend him some money. Well, he's carrying a big stick and he looks a bit
dangerous, so I'm wondering what to do …

 summarising a book, film or play:

Harry Potter is a pupil at Hogwarts school. One day when he is playing Quidditch he sees a
strange object in the sky. He wonders what is happening

III. Present perfect

Present Perfect
f t g+ p
The present perfect is a verb tense which is used to show that an action has taken
place once or many times before now. The present perfect is most frequently used to
talk about experiences or changes that have taken place, but there are other less
common uses as well. Read on for detailed descriptions, examples, and present
perfect exercises.

Present Perfect Forms

The present perfect is formed using has/have + past participle. Questions are
indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. Negatives are made with not.

 Statement: You have seen that movie many times.

 Question: Have you seen that movie many times?
 Negative: You have not seen that movie many times.

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

Present Perfect Uses

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the present perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time
before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the present perfect
with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I
was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN
use the present perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once,
many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

 I have seen that movie twenty times.

  I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes in California.
 People have traveled to the Moon.
 People have not traveled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is

best to associate present perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the present perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have
the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The present perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

 I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe
you have been there once, or several times.
 I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
 I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the present perfect to talk about change that has happened over a
period of time.

Examples:

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the
Asian studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the present perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the present perfect to say that an action which we expected has not
happened. Using the present perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action
to happen.

Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the present perfect to talk about several different actions which have
occurred in the past at different times. Present perfect suggests the process is not
complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she
is sick.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the present perfect it means that something has happened at some
point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not
important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do
this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this
month, so far, up to now, etc.
Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three
different companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the
year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires simple past. "In
the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific
time, so it requires present perfect.

Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With non-continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the

present perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until
now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which
can be used with the present perfect.

Examples:

 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of present perfect is normally limited to non-continuous

verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and
"study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT non-continuous
verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT
 The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only seen that movie one time.

 Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Many tourists have visited that castle. Active

 That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive

Present perfect

Level: beginner

The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past
participle of a verb.

We use the present perfect:

 for something that started in the past and continues in the present:

They've been married  for nearly fifty years.

She has lived in Liverpool all her life.

 when we are talking about our experience up to the present:

I've seen  that film before.

I've played the guitar ever since I was a teenager.
He  has written three books and he is working on another one.

We often use the adverb  ever to talk about experience up to the present:

My last birthday was the worst day I have ever had.

and we use never for the negative form:

Have  you  ever met George?

Yes, but I've never met his wife.
Present perfect 1
Present perfect 2

 for something that happened in the past but is important in the present:

I can't get in the house. I've lost my keys.

Teresa isn't at home. I think she has gone shopping.
Present perfect 3
Present perfect 4

have been and have gone

We use have/has been when someone has gone to a place and returned:

A: Where have you been?
B: I've just been out to the supermarket.

A: Have  you  ever been to San Francisco?

B: No, but I've been to Los Angeles.

But when someone has not returned, we use have/has gone:

A: Where's Maria? I haven't seen her for weeks.

B: She's gone to Paris for a week. She'll be back tomorrow. 
have been and have gone

Present perfect with time adverbials 

We often use the present perfect with adverbials which refer to the recent past:

recently just only just

Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of monkey.

We have just  got  back from our holidays.
or adverbials which include the present:

so far       until now      up to now

ever  (in questions)
yet (in questions and negatives)

Have  you  ever seen a ghost?

Where have you been up to now?
A: Have  you  finished your homework  yet?
B: No, so far I've  only done my history.

After a clause with the present perfect we often use a clause with since to show when
something started in the past:

I've worked  here since I left school.

I've been watching that programme every week since it started.
Present perfect with time adverbials 1
Present perfect with time adverbials 2

Be careful!

We do not use the present perfect with adverbials which refer to a finished past time:

yesterday last week/month/year in 2017 when I was younger etc.

I have seen that film yesterday.

We  have  just  bought a new car last week.
When we were children we have been to California.

but we can use the present perfect with adverbials which refer to a time which is not yet finished:

today this week/month/year now that I am 18 etc.

Have you seen Helen today?
We  have bought a new car this week.

Present perfect and past simple 1

Present perfect and past simple 2

Level: intermediate

Present perfect continuous

The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has been and the -ing form of the verb.

We normally use the present perfect continuous to emphasise that something is still
continuing in the present:

She has been living in Liverpool all her life.

It's been raining for hours.
I'm tired out. I've been working all day.
They have been staying  with us since last week.

We do not normally use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs. We use

the present perfect simple instead:

I've  always  been liking liked John.

Present perfect continuous 1
Present perfect continuous 2

Present perfect for future

We normally use the present simple to talk about the future in clauses with before, after,
until,  etc.:

I'll keep looking until I find my book.

We'll begin when everyone arrives.

but we can also use the present perfect:

I'll keep looking until I have found my book.

We'll begin when everyone has arrived.

Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it

gives speakers of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses
concepts or ideas that do not exist in those languages. In fact,
the structure of the Present Perfect is very simple. The problems come with
the use of the tense. In addition, there are some differences in usage
between British and American English.

In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense,

as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to check your
understanding.
The Present Perfect tense is really a very interesting tense, and a very
useful one. Try not to translate the Present Perfect into your language. Just
try to accept the concepts of this tense and learn to "think" Present Perfect!
You will soon learn to like the Present Perfect tense!

How do we make the Present Perfect tense?

The structure of the Present Perfect is:

subjec + auxiliary have + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple  

have, has past participle

The auxiliary verb (have) is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has

The main verb is invariable in past participle form: -ed (or irregular)

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the

main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Perfect tense:

  subject auxiliary verb   main  

verb

+ I have   seen ET.

+ You have   eaten mine.

   subject auxiliary verb   main  
verb

- She has no been to Rome.

t

- We have no played football.

t

? Have you   finished?  

? Have they   done it?

Contraction with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect in speaking, we often contract the
subject and auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this in informal writing.

I have I've

You have You've

He has He's
She has She's
It has It's
John has John's
The car The car's
has
 We have We've

They have They've

 You've told me that before.

 John's seen Harry Potter.

In negative sentences, we may contract the auxiliary verb and "not":

 You haven't won the contest.

 She hasn't heard from him.
He's or he's???
Be careful! The 's contraction is used for the auxiliary
verbs have and be. For example, "It's eaten" can mean:
 It has eaten. (Present Perfect tense, active voice)
 It is eaten. (Present Simple tense, passive voice)
It is usually clear from the context.

How do we use the Present Perfect tense?

This tense is called the Present Perfect tense. There is always a connection
with the past and with the present.

We use the Present Perfect to talk about:

 experience
 change
 continuing situation

Present Perfect for experience

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about experience from the past.
We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to
know if you did it:

I have seen an alien.

He has lived in Bangkok.
 Have you been there?
We have never eaten caviar.

past present future

!!!  

The action or state was in the In my head, I have a  

past. memory now.

Connection with past: the event was in the past

Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event;
I know something about the event; I have experience of it

Present Perfect for change

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about a change, or new information:

I have bought a car.

past present future

- +  

Last week I didn't have a Now I have a car.  

car.

John has broken his leg.

 past present future

+ -  

Yesterday John had a good Now he has a bad  

leg. leg.

Has the price gone up?

past present future

+ -  

Was the price $1.50 Is the price $1.70  

yesterday? today?

The police have arrested the killer.

past present future

- +  

Yesterday the killer was Now he is in prison.  

free.

Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present

Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past
Americans do use the Present Perfect but less than British speakers.
Americans often use the Past Simple tense instead. An American might
say "Did you have lunch?", where a British person would say "Have you
had lunch?"

Present Perfect for continuing situation

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about a continuing situation. This
is a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will
probably continue into the future). This is a situation (not an action). We
usually use for or since with this structure.

I have worked here since June.

He has been ill for 2 days.
How long have you known Tara (for)?

past present future

   

The situation started in the It continues up to (It will probably

past. now. continue into the
future.)

Connection with past: the situation started in the past.

Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.

For and Since with Present Perfect tense

We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

 We use for to talk about a period of time: five minutes, two weeks, six

years
 We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday
 for since

a period of a point in past time

time

------------ -•----------

20 minutes 6.15pm

three days Monday

6 months January

4 years 1994

2 centuries 1800

a long time I left school

ever the beginning of time

etc etc

Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present

Perfect tense:

 I have been here for twenty minutes.

  I have been here since 9 o'clock.
 John hasn't called for six months.
 John hasn't called since February.
 He has worked in New York for a long time.
 He has worked in New York since he left school.
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses
only.

IV. Present perfect continuous

The present perfect continuous (also called present perfect progressive) is a verb
tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up
to the present moment. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration,
or the amount of time that an action has been taking place. Read on for detailed
descriptions, examples, and present perfect continuous exercises.

Present Perfect Continuous Forms

The present perfect continuous is formed using has/have + been + present
participle. Questions are indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. Negatives
are made with not.

 Statement: You have been waiting here for two hours.

 Question: Have you been waiting here for two hours?
 Negative: You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

Present Perfect Continuous Uses

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the present perfect continuous to show that something started in the past
and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since
Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the present perfect continuous.

Examples:
  They have been talking for the last hour.
 She has been working at that company for three years.
 What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
 James has been teaching at the university since June.
 We have been waiting here for over two hours!
 Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the present perfect continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for
two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately."
We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:

 Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

 She has been watching too much television lately.
 Have you been exercising lately?
 Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
 Lisa has not been practicing her English.
 What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT

Remember that the present perfect continuous has the meaning of "lately" or
"recently." If you use the present perfect continuous in a question such as "Have you
been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A
question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke
on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or
feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense
incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that non-continuous verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for mixed verbs cannot
be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using present perfect continuous with these
verbs, you must use present perfect.

Examples:

 Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct

 Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always,
only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only been waiting here for one hour.

 Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Recently, John has been doing the work. Active

 Recently, the work has been being done by John. Passive

Present Perfect Continuous

The Present Perfect Continuous uses two auxiliary verbs together with a

main verb.

In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect

Continuous tense, as well as the use of for and since, followed by a quiz to
check your understanding.

Note that continuous tenses are also called progressive tenses. So the

Present Perfect Continuous tense is sometimes called the Present Perfect
Progressive tense.
How do we make the Present Perfect Continuous
tense?
The structure of the Present Perfect Continuous tense is:

subjec + auxiliary have + auxiliary be + main verb

t

conjugated in Present Simple past participle  

have, has been present participle

The first auxiliary (have) is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has

The second auxiliary (be) is invariable in past participle form: been

The main verb is invariable in present participle form: -ing

For negative sentences we insert not after the first auxiliary verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and first auxiliary verb.

Look at these example sentences with the Present Perfect Continuous

tense:

  subject auxiliary   auxiliary main verb  

verb verb

+ I have   been waiting for one hour.

+ You have   been talking too much.

- It has not been raining.  

   subject auxiliary   auxiliary main verb  
verb verb

- We have not been playing football.

? Have you   been seeing her?

? Have they   been doing their homework?

Contraction with Present Perfect Continuous

When we use the Present Perfect Continuous tense in speaking, we often
contract the subject and the first auxiliary verb. We also sometimes do this
in informal writing.

I have been I've been

You have been You've been

He has been He's been

She has been She's been
It has been It's been
John has been John's been
The car has The car's been
been

We have been We've been

They have been They've been

  I've been reading.
 Jenny's been helping us recently.

In negative sentences, we may contract the first auxiliary verb and "not":

 I haven't been playing tennis.

 It hasn't been snowing.

How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous

tense?
This tense is called the Present Perfect Continuous tense. There is usually
a connection with the present or now.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about:

 past action recently-stopped

 past action still-continuing

Present Perfect Continuous for past action just stopped

We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about action that
started in the past and stopped recently. There is usually a result now.

I'm tired because I've been running.

past present future

!!!  

Recent action Result now  

 I'm tired [now] because I've been running.

  Why is the grass wet [now]? Has it been raining?
 You don't understand [now] because you haven't been listening.

Present Perfect Continuous for past action continuing

now
We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about action that
started in the past and is continuing now. This is often used
with for or since.

I have been reading for 2 hours.

past present future

Action started in past. Action is continuing now.  

 I have been reading for 2 hours. (I am still reading now.)

 We've been studying since 9 o'clock. (We're still studying now.)
 How long have you been learning English? (You are still learning now.)
 We have not been smoking. (And we are not smoking now.)

For and Since with Present Perfect Continuous

tense
We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

 We use for to talk about a period of time: three hours, two months,

one decade
 We use since to talk about a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday

for since
 a period of a point in past time
time

------------ -•----------

30 minutes 10.00am

four days Friday

3 months March

2 years 2010

3 centuries 1700

Ages I left school

Ever the beginning of time

Etc etc

Look at these example sentences using for and since with the Present

Perfect Continuous tense:

 I have been studying for three hours.

 I have been watching TV since 7pm.
 Tara hasn't been feeling well for two weeks.
  Tara hasn't been visiting us since March.
 He has been playing football for a long time.
 He has been living in Bangkok since he left school.
For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually used with perfect tenses
only.
The present perfect continuous is used to refer to an unspecified time between 'before now'
and 'now'. The speaker is thinking about something that started but perhaps did not finish in
that period of time. He/she is interested in the process as well as the result, and this process
may still be going on, or may have just finished.

Actions that started in the past and continue in the present

She has been waiting for you all day (= and she's still waiting now).
I've been working on this report since eight o'clock this morning (= and I still haven't
finished it).
They have been travelling since last October (= and they're not home yet).

Actions that have just finished, but we are interested in the

results
She has been cooking since last night (= and the food on the table looks delicious).
It's been raining (= and the streets are still wet).
Someone's been eating my chips (= half of them have gone).

Forming the present perfect continuous

The present perfect continuous is made up of two elements: the present perfect of the verb 'to
be' (have/has been), and the present participle of the main verb (base+ing)

Subjec +has/have been +base+ing

t

She has been swimming

Affirmative: She has been / She's been running.

Negative: She hasn't been running.
Interrogative : Has she been running?
Interrogative negative: Hasn't she been running?
Example: present perfect continuous, TO LIVE

Affirmative Negative Interrogative

I have been living I haven't been living Have I been living?

You have been living You haven't been living Have you been living?

He, she, it has been He hasn't been living Has she been living?
living

We have been living We haven't been living Have we been living?

You have been living You haven't been living Have you been living?

They have been living They haven't been living Have they been living?

Verbs without continuous forms

With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the simple present perfect instead
(verbs such as: know, hate, hear, understand, want).
I've wanted to visit China for years.
She's known Robert since she was a child.
I've hated that music since I first heard it.
I've heard a lot about you recently.
We've understood everything.

Download this explanation in PDF here.

 Unfinished actions
1: To say how long for unfinished actions which started in the past and continue to
the present. We often use this with 'for' and 'since' (see the the present perfect
simple page for more about 'for' and 'since').

 I've been living in London for two years.

 She's been working here since 2004.
 We've been waiting for the bus for hours.

This use is very similar to how we use the present perfect simple, and often it's
possible to use either tense. Of course, with stative verbs, we can't use the present
perfect continuous.

 I've been here for hours.

 NOT: I've been being here for hours.
 2: For temporary habits or situations. The action started in the past and continues to
the present in the same way as with use number 1, but we don't answer the questions
about 'how long' so clearly. Instead, we use a word like 'recently'.

 I've been going to the gym a lot recently.

 They've been living with his mother while they look for a house.
 I've been reading a lot recently.

This is very similar to the use of the present continuous for temporary habits and
often either tense is possible.

Finished actions
3: Actions which have recently stopped (though the whole action can be unfinished)
and have a result, which we can often see, hear, or feel, in the present. We don't use a
time word here.

 I'm so tired, I've been studying.

 I've been running, so I'm really hot.
 It's been raining so the pavement is wet.

The present perfect simple has a very similar use, which focuses on the result
of the action, whereas the present perfect continuous focuses on the action
itself. See my page here about the difference between the present perfect
simple and the present perfect continuous for more explanation.

Present perfect simple and continuous

Do you need more help with your English? Take an online English course or class.

Do you know the difference between We've painted the room and We've been painting the
room?
Look at these examples to see how the present perfect simple and continuous are used.

We've painted the bathroom. 

She's been training for a half-marathon.
I've had three coffees already today!
They've been waiting for hours.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation
We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous
(have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.

Focusing on result or activity

The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect
continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way. 
 Present perfect simple Present perfect continuous

Focuses on the result Focuses on the activity

You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks lovely! I've been gardening. It's so nice out there.

Says 'how many' Says 'how long'

She's read ten books this summer. She's been reading that book all day.

Describes a completed action Describes an activity which may continue

I've written you an email.  I've been writing emails.

  When we can see evidence of recent activity

The grass looks wet. Has it been raining?

 
I know, I'm really red. I've been running!

Ongoing states and actions

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing states.

How long have you known each other?

We've known each other since we were at school. 

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about ongoing single or
repeated actions.
How long have they been playing tennis?
They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.

Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasise that a situation is temporary.

I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to
the one in the shopping centre. 

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.