Everyday English 3

Teachers Notes

5 Situation 4

Grammar Activity

Module

Present Perfect Simple / Present Perfect Continuous

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE / PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

Sometimes the Present Perfect Simple and the Present Perfect Continuous are interchangeable.
But there are also some differences in meaning.
W
 e use the Present Perfect Simple to show a series of actions. We focus on how much or how
many things we have done, or how many times we have done something.
Ive worked in three sports clinics.
W
 e use the Present Perfect Continuous to show one continuous action. The focus is on the
duration of the action or how long something has been happening.
Ive been working at the sports clinic for six months.
W
 e use the Present Perfect Simple when we are interested in the result of the action, not the action
itself. We want to show that the action is over.
Fred has already massaged the athlete.
(Fred has finished massaging the athlete the focus is on the result.)
W
 e use the Present Perfect Continuous when we are interested in the action. It does not matter
whether the action is finished or not.
Fred has been massaging the athlete since 12:00.
(Fred is still massaging the athlete the focus is on the action.)
1. Print out the worksheet and make a copy for each student.
2. Now write these two sentences on the board:
Ive massaged three patients so far.
(Explanation: The Present Perfect Simple is used for a series of actions to show how many patients
I have massaged.)
Ive been massaging patients for hours.
(Explanation: The Present Perfect Continuous is used to show one continuous action the focus is on
the duration of the action how long I have been massaging for.)
Ask the students to identify which sentence is in the Present Perfect Simple and which is in the
Present Perfect Continuous.
Elicit the difference in meaning between the two sentences.

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Everyday English 3

Teachers Notes

5 Situation 4

Grammar Activity

Module

Present Perfect Simple / Present Perfect Continuous

3. Write these two sentences on the board:
Pete has already treated the athlete.
(Explanation: The Present Perfect Simple is used when we are interested in the result of the
action Petes work is finished the athlete has had his treatment.)
Pete has been treating the athlete since 8.00 a.m.
(Explanation: The Present Perfect Continuous is used when we are interested in the action
itself it doesnt matter whether Pete has finished treating the athlete or not.)
Elicit the difference in meaning.
4. Write the following on the board:
do course in alternative medicine already / for several months
not work as therapist since August / yet
have massage therapy never / lately
suffer from muscle pain twice this week / the whole week
Discuss which time expressions are commonly used with the Present Perfect Simple and which
are used with the Present Perfect Continuous.
Then have students write pairs of sentences one in the Present Perfect Simple and the other in
the Present Perfect Continuous. Students should use the same verb in each pair of sentences, but
the time expressions should differ.
5. Hand out the worksheet and refer the students to exercise A, which is a text. You can:
a) use the text to present the grammar point by having the students
1. underline the Present Perfect Simple
2. circle the Present Perfect Continuous
b) review the grammar point and use the text to show both form and function.
c) review the grammar point and print the text with the grammar-related words deleted, using it
as a cloze.
6. Have the students do exercises B and C.

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Everyday English 3

Teachers Notes

5 Situation 4

Grammar Activity

Module

Answer Key

Present Perfect Simple / Present Perfect Continuous

A

Dear Susan,
Im sorry I havent written for ages. We have been so busy since we moved to New York. We
moved into our new apartment a week ago and since then I have been painting the apartment and
shopping for furniture we need.
But I havent only been buying things! Ive also been taking a course in alternative medicine.
My class has been meeting in the evenings. So far weve learnt a lot of acupuncture. Its a great
way to reduce pain and stress and help people relax.
Peter has started his new job already. He has been working in a sports medicine clinic as a
massage therapist. Hes really enjoying it. Lately he has even treated some famous athletes!
Things have been so busy that we havent even been to a Broadway play or to Central Park yet!
Peter wants the two of us to take a special day off together. He has been planning it for weeks.
Unfortunately, he hasnt had time off from work yet.
How have you all been? Has it been raining a lot there? Have you already finished writing your
book?
Write soon.
Love to all,
Marsha

B 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

has already finished

have been going
four times this month
Since the massage
have never felt

C 1.

2.

3.

4.

a. She has been treating patients for four hours.

b. She has treated six patients so far.
a. They have performed acupuncture on over a hundred patients since 2002.
b. They have been working together since 2002.
a. I have been working out for an hour.
b. I have done four exercises so far.
a. He has been doing athletics since he was eight.
b. He has won first prize three times.

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

all morning
Have you treated
just
have you been waiting
has been drinking

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