Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of form of 'have' + been + verb + ing
irregular verbs
Example: Example:
I / you / we / they have spoken I / you / we / they have been
he / she / it has spoken speaking
he / she / it has been speaking
regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed
Example:
I / you / we / they have worked
he / she / it has worked
Present Perfect v Present Perfect Continuous

Use
Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going
on or has just finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a
difference in meaning:
We use the Present Perfect mainly to express that an action is completed or to
emphasize the result.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the duration or continuous
course of an action.

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

Duration (how long)

Result (what / how much / how often)
I have been writing for an hour.
 I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London
twice.

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

Emphasis on duration
Emphasis on completion
I have been doing my homework. (Meaning:
I have done my That's how I have spent my time. It does not matter
homework. (Meaning: My whether the homework is completed now.)
homework is completed now.)

Present Perfect Present Perfect Continuous

permanent
James has lived in this town for 10
years. (Meaning: He is a
permanent resident of this town.)
temporary
James has been living here for a year. (Meaning:
This situation is only temporary. Maybe he is an
exchange student and only here for one or two
years.)

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect (not in the
continuous form).
 state: be, have
Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.
  senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch
Example: He has touched the painting.

 brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I have known him for 3 years.

1. We (know) them for 15 years.

2. They (watch) TV for 3 hours.
3. He (have) this car for 20 years.
4. We (work) for 7 hours without a break.
5. How long (you / learn) English?
6. Mr Smith (be) in hospital for 5 days.
7. (you / see) Brenda?
8. She (prepare) dinner for two hours.
9. I (play) football for five years.
10. My team (win / only) two matches so far.
11. Are we not there yet? We (walk) for hours.
12. I (finish/just) my homework.
13. I (work) on this essay since two o'clock.
14. Jane (go out) with Bob for seven years.
15. Martin (date) three girls this week.
16. How long (wait / you) for us?