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Present Perfect & Present Perfect Progressive

+Present Perfect

To talk about actions completed in the past (not specific time) Ex. She has exercised today. At some time today, she has exercised.

To talk about an action that happened in the past and continues today. Ex. I have lived in Quito my whole life.

+Form of Present Perfect

Have/has + past participle

I have studied the present perfect.

Questions using present perfect:

Have/has + subject + past participle

Have you enjoyed class?

+Present Perfect Progressive (Continuous)

This tense is very similar to present perfect in that it is used to express something that began in the past and is still happening or has recently finished.

Usually, when you want to focus on the length of time that you did something you should use the present perfect progressive.

I have been living in Ecuador for 5 years. (focus on 5 years)

+Present Perfect Progressive

Have/has + been + present participle (main verb + ing)

Have been living

Has been fixing

+When should you use present perfect or present perfect progressive?

In most situations, both verb tenses are acceptable.

Choose present perfect if you want to focus on the finished action. Ex. I have cooked lasagna.

Choose present perfect progressive when you want to focus on the length of time. Ex. I have been cooking lasagna for 3 hours.