The simple past tense is used to express actions that have already happened. The present tense is used to express an action that is taking place, or happening now.

There regular and irregular verbs

(+) S + Have/Has + been + verb-ing + C

I've been studying English for 5 months

(-) S + Have/Has + not + been + verb-ing + C

She hasn’t been working since she lost her last job

(?) Wh/H +Have/Has + S + verb-ing + C + ?

How long have you been learning English?

Useful Points:

1. Emphasizes the duration of an activity up to the present.

- I have been reading this book for a week.

2. Indicates an activity that has just stopped or is still ongoing.

- Why is the floor wet? Have you been cleaning?

3. Often used with expressions like "for" and "since" to indicate the duration of the action.

- He has been playing the guitar for two years.

4. Can be used to explain a situation or emphasize an activity.

- I'm tired because I've been working all day.

Past simple (examples):

Affirmative

• I played football yesterday.

• Margaret studied a lot for your tomorrow test.

Negative

• I didn’t go to my class yesterday.

• They don’t liked the Paul McCartney concert.

Interrogative

• Did you play basketball yesterday?

• What time did you leave the class  last Friday?

Present perfect rules

• finished actions : “she has lost her wallet”

• Recent complete action : “ I have just finished my project”

• Unfinished action : “I have lived in Irland for one year”

• Múltiples action at diferente times : “ I have seen you several times around temple bar”

• Life experience: “have you ever eaten”

• Accomplishments: “I has finished my degree”

• He liked the music yesterday

• I watched this movie last year

• Yesterday I arrived late in my house

• I hated this game

• I loved my new room

• I worked a lot this week

• I stopped to go out all Friday

• I cried to much watching this video

1. They have been working on the project since last month.

2. She looks tired because she has been running for an hour.

3. We have been waiting for the bus for quite some time.

Negative

4. I haven't been gossiping about anyone.

5. She looks relaxed because she hasn't been stressing over the deadline.

6. I haven't been feeling unwell lately.

7. They haven't been traveling as much as they used to.

Question

8. Has he been working at the company for a long time?

9. Have they been living in this neighborhood for years?

10. Why are you tired? Have you been exercising?