3.
Present Perfect
Simple and
When do we use the Present
Perfect Simple and Continuous?
We use the Present Perfect Simple to focus on the result of
an activity. We use the Present Perfect Continuous to focus
on the duration of the activity or on the fact that the activity
is unfinished.
I’ve made a hat. Do you like it?
My mum’s been making a new hat. I can’t wait to
wear it when it’s finished!
A: How long have you been working on that hat?
B: A week. It’s not an easy job. I haven’t made a
hat before!
Copyright © 2021 by Pearson Education. This edition for Spain 2023 Your World 4
Read the text. How many examples of the
Present Perfect Simple can you find? And how
many examples of the Present Perfect Simple?
People have been wearing jeans for more than
140 years. During that time, jeans have been
both work clothes and fashion clothing. For
decades, young people have been setting new
fashion trends for jeans but, surprisingly, the
popularity of their original indigo blue colour
hasn’t changed. Have you bought any jeans
recently?
There are two
three
examples
examples
ofof
the
the
Present
Present
Perfect
Perfect
Simple. Look!
Continuous.
Copyright © 2021 by Pearson Education. This edition for Spain 2023 Your World 4
How do we choose between the
Present Perfect Simple and
Continuous? Present Perfect Simple
They’ve sold a lot of jewellery.
Present Perfect Continuous
They’ve been selling jewellery all
day.
She hasn’t chosen her outfit for the party She’s been trying on outfits in her
yet. bedroom.
I’ve worked as a fashion designer for three I’ve been designing clothes since I was
years. ten.
How long has Matt known Tom?
They’ve been friends for a long time. We can use for and
since with both
tenses.
We use the Present
We use the Present Perfect
Perfect Simple when
Continuous when we want to Remember that with
we want to focus on
focus on the duration of the state verbs (have,
the result (or lack of
or suggest that the activity may
activity know, be, etc.) you can
result) of the activity.
continue. only use the Present
Perfect Simple.
Copyright © 2021 by Pearson Education. This edition for Spain 2023 Your World 4
Practice Time
Complete the sentences with the Present
Perfect Simple or Continuous form of the
verbs in brackets.
haven’t had
1. I ______________________ (not have) anything to eat since breakfast.
have been
2. We ______________________ (learn) English since we were six, and we’ll have to study it next year
too.learning
has never liked
3. She ______________________ (never/like) going to the hairdresser’s.
have been
sitting
4. They ______________________ (sit) in the classroom for ten minutes, and the teacher still hasn’t
arrived.
’ve known
5. I ______________________ (know) my best friend for five years.
Has anyone
told
6. ______________________ (anyone / tell) Oliver the good news?
Copyright © 2021 by Pearson Education. This edition for Spain 2023 Your World 4
