Present Perfect vs Perfect Continuous
Learn the difference and when to use present perfect and present perfect continuous tense.
What is the difference between present perfect and present perfect continuous?
Present Perfect
- Have/Has + past participle
- Focuses on the result of a completed action
- Used for permanent situations
- E.g. I have cleaned the house today.
Present Perfect Continuous
- Have/Has + been + verb-ing
- Focuses on the duration, process or ongoing action
- Used for temporary situations
- Don’t use stative verbs
- E.g. I have been cleaning all morning.
Examples
I have finished the report.
She has been crying all night.
He has painted the whole house.
Practise
Fill the gaps with present perfect or present perfect continuous.
Common mistakes learners make
- Using stative verbs with present perfect continuous
- Mixing up completed and ongoing actions
Common mistakes learners make
- Using stative verbs with present perfect continuous
- Mixing up completed and ongoing actions