Present perfect - B2

Present perfect simple and past simple; present perfect simple and continuous

You are going to hear two people called Mike and Lucy talking to each other.

Before you listen, look at the picture.

Listen again and write Mike and Lucy’s exact words. Stop the recording when you need to.

Look at your answers to Exercise 3 and answer these questions.

Some verbs are irregular: break ➞ broken; go ➞ gone (➢ See Web page: Irregular verbs.)

➢ For past simple forms, see Past Simple B1 and Past Simple B2.

with since or for, about a period of time which continues up to the present moment:

I’ve lived there for four years. (= and I still live there)

I’ve lived next door since June. (= and I still live next door now)

with for, about a period of time which is finished:

I lived there for four years. (= but I don’t live there now)

with questions asking how long - Sometimes we can also use the present perfect continuous

How long have you lived here? (= I know you still live here)

with questions asking when:

When did you move here? (= the move is in the past)

in the negative, for unfinished actions and events, often with still or yet:

I still haven’t sent the email.

I haven’t sent the email yet.

for completed actions and events in the past, often with ago:

I sent the email half an hour ago.

for events repeated over a period of time until the present (they may continue):

You’ve played the saxophone every night. (= until now, and you will probably continue to play every night)

for events repeated over a period of time in the past (they are now finished):

You played the saxophone every night. (= but you don’t any more)

- for events which happened in the past at a time which is unknown and/or irrelevant:

I’ve started my essay. (= we don’t know when)

I’ve lost my new camera. (= it’s not important when or where)

- for events that happened in the recent past (often with just):

Flight 206 has landed. (= in the last few minutes)

She’s just gone to the cinema. (= she’s on her way or she’s already there now)

- for events that happened at a particular time in the past:

Flight 206 landed at one o’clock.

- or within a period of time in the past

She was at the cinema between midday and two o’clock.(= but she’s not there now)

when the time stated is not finished:

I’ve spent this morning writing an essay. (= it’s still morning)

The builders have started working on the kitchen this week. (= it’s still this week)

when the time stated is finished:

I spent this morning writing an essay. (= it’s now afternoon so ‘this morning’ is in the past)

I started my essay last week. (= ‘last week’ is definitely in the past)

I lost my new camera in London. (= the place fixes it at a time in the past)

when we talk about a period of time up to the present:

I’ve been to Los Angeles but not to New York. (= experiences in my life up to now)

The team has won several matches. (= and may win more)

when we talk about past events which are not connected to the present:

I went to Los Angeles but not to New York. (= on a particular trip which is in the past)

The Chinese invented printing.

when we talk about how many times something has happened up to now:

Alex has phoned Ella three times. (= and he might phone her again)

when we talk about how many times something happened in the past:

Alex phoned Ella three times yesterday.

It’s the best cup of coffee I’ve had here.

This is the most exciting place we’ve been to.

The present perfect and the present perfect continuous are both used to describe events or activities which started in the past and have continued up to the present, or activities which stopped recently.

Some verbs can be used in either the present perfect simple or continuous with little difference in meaning.

These are verbs which describe activities which normally happen over a period of time, e.g. live, study, wait, work:

Martin has lived / has been living in Japan for five years.

to talk about how long something has been happening:

I’ve been driving since five o’clock this morning.

The children have been playing happily all morning.

We’ve been worrying about her all week.

How long have you been watching TV?

to talk about how often or how many times something has happened:

I’ve driven there several times before.

The children have played four games of tennis this morning.

I’ve worried about her every day since she set off.

I’ve watched three programmes.

to focus on the activity or event itself (whether it is complete or not is unimportant):

He’s been reading that book since he got up. (= we’re interested in how he passed the time)

I’ve been mending the car. (= that’s why I’m dirty)

to focus on the present result of an activity or event which is complete:

I’ve read the newspapers. (= I’ve finished reading them)

I’ve mended the car. (= I’ve finished so we can go out in it now)

I’ve been learning the piano for a long time. (not I’m learning the piano for a long time)

He’s been playing in a band for two years. (not He’s playing in a band for two years)

I’ve known her since she was four years old. (not I’ve been knowing her)

I’ve always hated cold weather. (not I’ve always been hating cold weather)