Present Perfect Simple – Present Perfect Progressive

Form

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular verbs Example: I / you / we / they have spoken he / she / it has spoken regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed Example: I / you / we / they have worked he / she / it has worked	form of 'have' + been + verb + ing   Example: I / you / we / they have been speaking he / she / it has been speaking

Result or duration?

Do you want to express what has happened so far or how long an action has been going on yet?

Present Perfect Simple	Present Perfect Progressive
Result (what / how much / how often) I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London twice.	Duration (how long) I have been writing for an hour.

Certain verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple (not in the progressive form).

• state: be, have (for possession only)
  Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.
• senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
  Example: He has touched the painting.
• brain work: believe, know, think, understand
  Example: I have known him for 3 years.

  Exercise 1

  Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).
  1. A: (you / play / ever)  tennis?
  2. B: I (play / only)  tennis once or twice. And you?
  3. A: I (learn)  tennis for two years.
  4. B: (you / take)  part in any competitions yet?
  5. A: I (participate)  in four contests this year.
  6. B: (you / win)  any prizes so far?
  7. A: No, I (win / not)  anything yet. I'm not that good yet. (you / enter / ever)  a contest?
  8. B: I (swim)  for seven years and I (receive / already)  some trophies.
  
  
  
  

  Exercise 2

  Use the verbs in Present Perfect Progressive, if possible. If it is not possible, use the Present Perfect Simple.
  1. We (know)  them for 15 years.
  2. They (watch)  TV for 3 hours.
  3. He (have)  this car for 20 years.
  4. We (work)  for 7 hours without a break.
  5. How long (you / learn)  English?
  6. Mr Smith (be)  in hospital for 5 days.
  7. Steven (hear)  a mouse squeak all night.
  8. (you / see)  Brona?
  9. She (prepare)  dinner for two hours.
  10. Don't worry, they (touch / not)  your gameboy.