Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Continuous Contrasted
Differences and similarities in the Present Perfect Simple and the Present Perfect Continuous?
1. Use
Both tenses are very similar. There are sentences where we can use the Present Perfect Simple or the Present Perfect Continuous. The focus in the continuous form is on the duration while the simple focuses more on the action.
- It has snowed since the weekend. → (It has snowed – at least once or now and then.)
- It has been snowing since the weekend. → (It has been snowing every day since the weekend.)
There are verbs which are normally not used with the continuous forms. These are called stative verbs, you will find a list and explanations here.
2. Form
3. Examples
3.1. Affirmative sentences
3.2. Negative sentences
3.3. Question
4. Spelling
* past participle:
- regular verbs → infinitive + –ed
- irregular verbs → 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs