Mehrdad
Is the present perfect a past tense?And the present perfect continuous a present tense?
Aug 15, 2019 10:11 AM
Answers · 5
1
The present perfect (simple) and the present perfect continuous are both present tenses. This is because they both tell us something about the present situation. Both the present perfect (simple) and the present perfect continuous refer to the SAME time period. In fact, they could even be considered as different versions of the same 'tense'. In terms of time reference ( i.e. tense) they are identical; where they differ is in terms of aspect. 'Past' and 'present' are tenses; continuous and perfect are aspects. The continuous aspect generally emphasises the activity or the process itself, whereas the perfective aspect tends to emphasise the result. There is a misconception among students - and even some teachers - that the difference between the simple and continuous aspects of the present perfect depends on whether or not the action is completed. In some cases, this happens to coincide with the truth (as in the examples which Ashley has given you). However, the issue of finished or unfinished actions is actually irrelevant to the question. The present perfect simple is often used for unfinished actions ( e.g. "I've been at this company for longer than anyone else. I've worked here for ten years.") and the present perfect continuous is often used for finished actions (e.g. "I'm going for a break now. I've been working for four hours and I need a rest"). Those two simple everyday examples show what nonsense the finished/unfinished definition is.
August 15, 2019
1
Both present perfect and present perfect continuous reference something that started in the past and is connected to the present. So they are a combination of the past and present. The main difference between the two is that we use present perfect to discuss a finished action while present perfect continuous focuses on an unfinished action. 1. I’ve read that book you lent me. I finished it yesterday. 2. I’ve been reading that book you lent me. I’ve got another 50 pages to read. Sentence 1 is in the present perfect, with a finished action and sentence 2 is present perfect continuous as it describes an unfinished action. These tenses can be confusing but here is a link toggle you some more information: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/intermediate-grammar/present-perfect-simple-and-continuous
August 15, 2019
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