Present Perfect Simple Continuous Active Passive THE USE

Present Perfect Simple & Continuous Active & Passive

THE USE OF PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE 1 UNFINISHED PAST - an action that began in the past and still continues They‘ve been married for 15 years. He‘s lived in Idrija since 1990. Time expressions: for + a period of time (two years, a month, a few minutes) since + a point in time (1980, September, 9. 00, I was a child)

2 EXPERIENCE - An experience that happened at some time in one‘s life. The action is finished, but the effects are still felt in some way. I‘ve been to New Zealand. (I know what it‘s like there. ) Have you ever eaten snails? (at any time in your life, so you know how they taste) Exactly when the action happened in not important. Questions and statements about definite time are expressed in the Past Simple: When did you go to New Zealand? Time expressions: ever, never, before

3 PRESENT RESULT - expresses a past action that has a clear present result. The action is usually in the recent past. The taxi hasn‘t arrived yet. (We‘re still waiting for it. ) We often announce news in the Present Perfect. The Prime Minister has resigned. (more details will be in the Past Simple: She resigned after her affair became public. ) Time expressions: yet, already, just BEEN vs GONE • He‘s been to the USA. (experience – he‘s not there now) • He‘s gone to the USA. (present result – he‘s there now)

PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST SIMPLE ? The Present Perfect can express unfinished actions. The Past Simple expresses completed actions. I‘ve written three books. Shakespeare wrote 30 plays. The Present Perfect refers to indefinite time. The Past Simple refers to definite time. Time expressions: Present Perfect – indefinite Past Simple – definite … for a long time. … yesterday. …recently. … in 1980. I‘ve already done it. I did it at 8 o‘clock.

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PASSIVE have/has been sold the use in the passive = the use in the active The company has produced two million cars so far. (unfinished past) Two million cars have been produced so far. They have made her redundant. (experience) She has been made redundant. I have eaten the ice cream. (present result) The ice cream has been eaten.

THE USE OF PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS 1 ACTIVITY BEGAN IN THE PAST, IS CONTINUING NOW I‘ve been studying English for 3 years. Sometimes there‘s no difference between Simple and Continuous: I‘ve played the piano for 8 years. = I‘ve been playing the piano for 8 years. 2 RESULT OF A PAST ACTIVITY IS SEEN IN THE PRESENT I‘ve been working all day. (I‘m tired now. ) Have you been crying? (red eyes) Sometimes the past activity might be finished or it might not. The context may clarify it. Look out of the window! It‘s been snowing! (It has stopped now)

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE OR CONTINUOUS? P. P. Simple – activity is completed, the result is the final number I‘ve painted the kitchen. It looks great! P. P. Continuous – activity may/may not be completed I‘ve been painting the kitchen. There‘s paint in my hair. I‘ve read ten chapters of the book. I‘ve been reading all day. Verbs without the idea of a long time Verbs with the idea of a long time Find, start, buy, die, lose, break, stop wait, work, play, try, learn, rain I‘ve lost my passport. Verbs not used in the continuous- state v. Like, believe, know, belong, look, etc. It‘s been raining all day.