GRAMMAR
When do we use present perfect?
For something that started in the past and continues up to the present.
For actions that happened at an unstated time in the past (experience)
Actions that have happened within a specific time period (which is not over yet)
Actions that have recently finished and the evidence/results are visible in the present.
We haven't done our homework.
We haven't done our homework yet.
Large blocks of flat ... (appear) in the suburbs.
Large blocks of flat have appeared in the suburbs.
He ... (ride) his new bike all day.
He has been riding his new bike all day.
It's terrible. Mary ... (have) an accident.
It's terrible. Mary has had an accident.
When do we use present perfect continuous?
To emphasize the duration of the action which started in the past and continues up to the present.
For actions that started and finished in the past and whose results are visible in the present.
To express anger, annoyance, or irritation.
Have you visited Paris?
Have you ever visited Paris?
How long ... you ... (be) her friend?
How long have you been her firend?
She ... (work) since 7 o'clock.
She has been working since 7 o'clock.
You ... (play) computer games since 4 o'clock.
You've been playing computer games since 4 o'clock.
Tell us the formula for the present perfect tense.
subject + have/has + past participle verb + complement
I've had this car ... 3 days.
I've had this car for 3 days.
He ... just ... (eat) the last piece of cake.
He has just eaten the last piece of cake.
How long ... you ... (study) English?
How long have you been studying English?
You are so dirty! What ... you ... (do)?
You are so dirty! What have you been doing?
Mention the formula for the present perfect continuous tense.
subject + have/has + been + verb -ing (gerund) + complement
Why is it wet here? Has it ... rained?
Why is it wet here? Has it just rained?
I ... (not see) him since last Xmas.
I haven't seen him since last Xmas.
She ... (travel) for 3 months.
She has been travelling for 3 months.
She ... (write) 2 excellent books.
She has written 2 excellent books.
TRUE or FALSE: The following sentences have the same meaning.
I've lived in this house since 1999.
I've been living in this house since 1999.
TRUE
I've been learning English ... I was 7 years old.
I've been learning English since I was 7 years old.
... Mike ... (fly) a kite before?
Has Mike flown a kite before?
How long ... they ... (wait) for you?
How long have they been waiting for you?
My eyes hurt. I ... (work) on the computer all day.
My eyes hurt. I've been working on the computer all day.