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present perfect simple vs continuous video

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present perfect simple vs continuous video

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Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous - The Difference between these Two Tenses (+ FREE PDF)

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More examples/online exercises

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30 mph (miles per hour)

Many people do more than 30 mph through this town. It's very dangerous.

badly

She did very badly on the exam, so she'll have to retake it.

your best

Don't worry about getting everything correct. Just do your best.

business

It's been a pleasure doing business with you.

chores

I have to go home and do some chores this afternoon.

a course

John has decided to do a course in computing this autumn.

a crossword

She sat on the sofa, doing a crossword and drinking tea.

damage

The storm has done a lot of damage to the house.

the dishes / the washing up

I really hate doing the dishes. I'm hoping to buy a dishwasher this year.

a drawing

The little boy spent hours doing a drawing.

your duty

He has to do his duty and look after his elderly parents.

an exam

I have to do three exams and write a huge essay this term.

exercise

Julie likes doing exercise, especially running.

an exercise

The teacher asked us to do a lot of grammar exercises over the holidays

someone a favour

My friend did me a huge favour and lent me some money.

the gardening

David often spends Sunday afternoons doing gardening.

good

She helps homeless people and tries to do good.

you good

You should eat your vegetables. They'll do you good!

your hair

Allie spends ages doing her hair in the morning.

harm

I spilt coffee on my suit and tried to clean it, but I did more harm than good. It looks even worse now!

homework

Have you finished doing your homework?

housework

Let's do the housework quickly this morning, then we can go out for lunch.

the ironing

My mother listens to the radio while she does the ironing.

a job

I think the students did a great job with this essay. It's excellent.

the laundry / the washing

He did the laundry, cleaned the house, and made dinner.

your nails

Jenny likes to do her nails each week.

a painting

There was an old man sitting on the bank of the river, doing a painting.

paperwork

Does everybody hate doing paperwork?

research

I'm doing some research for my thesis at the moment.

the shopping

I'll do the shopping tomorrow morning. We need milk, bread, pasta and bananas.

time (= be in prison)

He broke into a bank, was caught by the police, and now he's doing time.

well

My sister is doing well in her new job.

work

Unfortunately, Lucy does a lot of work at the weekends.

your worst

I've bought all new winter clothes:- boots, a coat and a very warm hat. Weather, do your worst!

amends

I'm so sorry that I upset you. How can I make amends?

an appointment

She had toothache, so she made an appointment with the dentist for the following day.

arrangements

Okay, so we're going to go on holiday in September. Let's make some arrangements. I'll find a hotel, and you can look at flights.

an attempt

I know we might not catch the plane, but let's at least make an attempt to be on time.

believe

The children's favourite game is to make believe that they are kings and queens from long ago.

certain

I think the café opens at six, but let's make certain. I don't want to be standing in the street waiting!

a change

I've made some changes to the document.

a choice

Which job are you going to take? You need to make a choice.

a comment

My mother made a comment about my shoes.

a complaint

The food took so long to arrive that Julie made a complaint to the manager.

a confession

I'd like to make a confession. I was the one who ate the last of the chocolate.

a date

I'd love to see you soon. How about if we make a date for next week?

a decision

I've made my decision. I'm going to go back to university.

a difference

Going to the gym has really made a difference to how I feel.

a discovery

When John was last in London he made a discovery - a beautiful little café in a quiet street.

an effort

You're not trying hard enough! Make an effort!

an error

He made several errors on the report, and the boss told him to rewrite it.

your escape

The bank robbers took £10,000 from the safe and then made their escape.

an exception

Usually the children aren't allowed to watch TV but I made an exception today since the weather was so horrible.

an excuse

Why was Lisa late? Did she make an excuse?

a face

The child took a bite of the broccoli and made a face.

a fire

We put up our tent, made a fire, and had a hot drink.

a fool of yourself

You shouldn't sing in front of everyone! You'll make a fool of yourself.

a fortune

Lucy made a fortune when she sold her company. Now she doesn't have to work.

friends

She loved university and made lots of friends.

fun of

The children love to make fun of the teacher,- but only when she's not looking.

a fuss

It's okay! I'm fine, it's just a cough. Don't make a fuss!

an impression

Jenny certainly made an impression last night! All my friends are asking about her.

a joke

The interview was very tense at the beginning, but then John made a joke, and after that it was much more relaxed.

a journey

Because of the snow, try not to make any journeys which are not absolutely essential.

a list

First, I must make a list of all the things I need to do.

a loss

Their business made a loss the first year, but did much better after that.

love

The hero and the heroine made love in the film.

a mess

What a mess you've made! Can't you tidy up a bit?

a mistake

She made so many mistakes in her essay that the teacher couldn't understand it.

money

John made a lot of money in his twenties and was able to retire at the age of 35.

a move

Look how late it is! Let's make a move.

a noise

Please try not to make a noise when you come home, because I'll be asleep.

an observation

Could I make an observation? I don't think some of our customers like the new adverts.

an offer

She made an offer on a house. She's nervous because she'll find out today if it has been accepted, and she really wants to buy that house.

a payment

Hello? I'd like to make a credit card payment, please.

a phone call

I'm going to go outside and make a phone call. It's too noisy in here.

plans

David is making plans to move to Paris.

a point

The professor used lots of examples to make his point.

a prediction

The journalist made a prediction about the economy, but in the end it wasn't correct.

a profit

His business made a profit from the beginning.

progress

Finally, after being stuck in a traffic jam for an hour, we're making some progress! We'll arrive by 8pm.

a promise

I must study hard today. I made a promise to my mum that I wouldn't fail any more exams.

a remark

John was upset because the boss made a negative remark about his work.

a reservation

Could you call the restaurant and make a reservation for tonight?

a scene

Susie made a scene in the café when her order was wrong. She shouted at all the staff and demanded to speak to the manager.

a sound

Don't make a sound! We need to be completely quiet.

a speech

The bride's father often makes a speech at her wedding.

a suggestion

Could I make a suggestion? How about going out for dinner?

sure

I don't think I left the gate open, but I'm just going to go and make sure.

the bed

Could you please make the bed before you leave the house? Otherwise it looks so messy with the duvet and the pillows everywhere.

time (=find time to do something)

Everybody's busy, but you need to make time to study. Otherwise you won't be able to get a better job.

trouble

That employee is trying to make trouble. He is always telling the boss bad things about his colleagues.

a visit

I'll call you this afternoon.- I need to make a visit to my granny this morning.

your mind up

Do you want chocolate or strawberry ice cream? Make your mind up quickly!

your way

After the film, John made his way to a café, where he had two cups of coffee and some cake.

Do some exercises!

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Reading section from WB unit 1

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More practice

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What's the difference?

Download this explanation in PDF.

We use both of these tenses for finished and unfinished actions.

The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. It's often used with stative verbs:

I've known John for three years.

The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. (Of course, we don't use the present perfect continuous with stative verbs):

She's been living here for three years.

Sometimes there's really no difference in meaning between the two tenses. This is especially the case with verbs such as 'live', 'work' and 'study':

They've lived in London since 2004.

They've been living in London since 2004.

I've studied French for ten years.

I've been studying French for ten years.

He's worked at the company since 2009.

He's been working at our company since 2009.

Sometimes, there is a difference in meaning:

1: The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed. The present perfect simple is generally neutral:

They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of time).

They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).

2: On the other hand, the present perfect simple is often used when we're talking about how much or how many. This isn't possible with the present perfect continuous:

She's drunk three cups of coffee this morning.

She's drunk at least a litre of coffee today.

(NOT: she's been drinking three cups of coffee this morning).

3: The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself, while the present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed:

I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished).

I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).

We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:

Have you read the book yet?

She's finished her work already.

This difference is often used to talk about different kinds of results in the present. The present perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished:

I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.

She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.

I've made a cake. Would you like some?

The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:

I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.

She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.

I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.

4: Finally, the present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise that something is temporary:

She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).

Usually I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for the last week.

Click here for more about the present perfect simple tense.
Click here for more about the present perfect continuous tense.
Download this explanation in PDF.

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Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous Tense?

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When to use the present perfect or present perfect continuous tense in English.