The document summarizes key aspects of the present perfect simple and present perfect continuous tenses in English. It discusses their forms, definitions, differences between them, and provides examples of each. An exercise is included for learners to practice using these tenses correctly. The summary focuses on the key elements covered in the document at a high level.

1. Western University
1

2. Contents
- Present Perfect Simple
- Present Perfect Simple Vs Past Simple
- Present Perfect Continuous
- Present Perfect Simple Vs Continuous
- Exercise
2

3. Present Perfect Simple and
Continuous
I. Present Perfect Simple
1. Form
Positive: Sub + have/has + past participle +
obj
Negative: Sub + have/has + not + V3 + obj
Question: Have/Has + sub + V3 + obj ?
3

4. Wh-Question + have/has + sub + V3+
obj
Negative:
Have/Has + not + sub + V3 + obj?
Wh-Question + have/has + not + sub + V3+
obj?
2. Definition
A. The Present Perfect Simple is used to express an activity
which began in the past and continues to the present. It
possibly goes on into the future, as well.
4

5. Example:
•I've lived in the same flat for five years. (From past until
now)
• How long have you known each other? (From the starting
time till now)
• I've met a lot of famous people. (Now you still meet them)
5

6. • Comparison between For and Since
two months
a few months
For ages
1 year ago
1979
the end of year 1
Since Valentine day
November
6

7. Note: We use For with a period of time and Since with a
point of time.
Since 2010 For 1 year 2011 now
B. The Present Perfect is to express a past action that has a
present result. The action is usually in the recent past.
7

8. Example:
• I have lost my wallet. (I've not got it now.)
• The taxi hasn't arrived yet. (We're still waiting for it.)
• I've just had lunch. (I am not hungry now.)
 The adverb expression “Already, Just, and Yet” are also
used in this second definition.
Note:
Sub + have/has + yet + to + V1
=
Sub + have/has + not + V3 + yet
8

9. Example:
• I have yet to think about getting married = I have not
thought about getting married yet.
C. Present Perfect Simple is used to express an experience
that happen at some time in one's life.
Example:
• Have you ever had an operation?
• I've been to Preah Vihea twice.
• It's the first time he has lost $100. (He has never lost $100
before.)
9

10. Note:
• I've been to United State. (Experience: I am not there now.)
• I've gone to United State. (Present result: I am there now.)
D. The Present Perfect is used to say that an action which
we expected has not happened. We are still waiting for the
action to happen.
Example:
• James has not finished his homework yet. (He wants to
finish.)
10

11. • Susan hasn't mastered Japanese but she can
communicate. (She needs to master at it.)
• The rain hasn't stopped. (She wants to go out.)
II. Present Perfect Simple Vs Past Simple
• The Present Perfect is for unfinished action or refers to
indefinite time.
• The Past Simple is for completed actions or refers to
definite time by looking at the time expression used with the
different tense.
Present Perfect Simple
- I have lived in Phnom Penh for one year. (Now I still live
there.)
11

12. - Rain has sung several songs. (He can still sing some more)
- I have recently stopped speaking to her. (Indefinite time)
- Have you seen Helen this morning? (it is still in the
morning)
Past Simple
- I lived in PP for one year. (You now live somewhere else)
- Rain sang tan popular songs. (He can’t sing anymore)
- I stopped speaking to her yesterday. (Definite time)
- Did you see Helen this morning? (Now it is the afternoon or
evening)
12

13. III. Present Perfect Continuous
1. Form
Positive:
Sub + have/has + been + V-ing + obj
Negative:
Sub + have/has + not + been + V-ing
+O
Question:
Have/Has + S + been + V-ing + O?
Wh-Question + have/has + S +
been + V-ing + O?
13

14. Negative Question:
Have/Has + not + S + been + V-ing + O?
Wh-Question + have/has + not + S +
Example: been + V-ing + O?
- You have been working here for three months.
- We haven’t been waiting for him.
- What have you been doing?
- Have you been running?
14

15. 2. Definition
A . The perfect continuous expresses an activity, which
began in the past and is still continuing. One is used to
express an activity that continuous to the present.
Example:
- I’ve been learning English for four years. (You learned from
the past until now.)
- Rosaline has been trying to lose weight for ages. (She
always tries to do this)
- I have been looking for my cousins, but I haven’t found
them yet.
15

16. B. The present perfect continuous are used to express a
past activity that has caused a present result.
Example :
- I’m hot because I’ve been running.
- Has she been crying? Her eyes are red.
- Look outside the window. It been has raining.
- Her shoes are muddy; she’s been digging in the garden.
- I have been writing this book for one year. It still isn’t
finished.
16

17. IV. Present Perfect Simple Vs Continuous
Sometime there is little or no difference in meaning with both
of them.
Example:
- How long have you worked here?
- How long have you been worked here?
- He has taught English for 12 years.
- He has been teaching English for 12 years.
- It has rained for days.
- It has been raining for days.
17

18. Think of the verbs that have the idea of long time, for
example wait, work, teach, learn, travel, play, etc, these
verbs can be found in present perfect continuous.
Example:
- I’ve been playing football since I was ten years old.
- Danny has been waiting here for hours.
- They have been travelling abroad for two weeks.
Think of the verbs that have the idea of a short time for
Example find, start, buy, die, lose, break, stop, etc, and state
verbs such as :like, love, know, it is unusual to find these
verbs in the present perfect continuous.
18

19. Example:
- My dog has died. (Not: has been dying)
- My father has stopped smoking for mouth. (Not: has been
stopping)
- We’ve known each other for five years. (Wrong)
- How long has john loved her?
- How long has john been loving her? (Wrong)
19

20. Exercise
Put the verb in the brackets into correct tense, Present
Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous.
1. I am exhausted! I………………………… (work) all
day, and I…………………… (not finish) yet.
2. Someone………………… (take) my bike. I…………………
(look) for it for ages, but I……………………………..(not
find) them yet.
3. I………………………………………… (visit) many
countries over the past few years.
4. The government of Cambodia……………( Build) 50
bridges. They are so easy to travel when we have a holiday.
20

21. 5. It is the first time of the girl
I………………………………………………. (ever/meet).
6. Tom now is unconscious.
He………………………………….….… (hit) by his enemy.
7. Romeo and Juliet……………………………………………..
(love) each other for ages.
8. I………………………….,…………………………... (write)
two letters in Japan today.
9. I……………………………………………
(paint) my living room. I finished last night.
10. Teacher……………………….(teach)
English at Western University for several
years.
21

22. Thanks for your attention !
Any Questions ?
22