Present continuous vs Present Perfect Continuous: Diferencias y usos

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September 8, 2024Curso Intermediate

Present Continuous vs Present Perfect Continuous — Lesson 17 INTERMEDIATE

Curso INTERMEDIO: GRAMMAR – GRAMATICA

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Welcome to lesson 17 of our INTERMEDIATE course In this free class which is accompanied with an audio, we will be talking about the differences between the present continuous and the present perfect continuous.

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Before we start this class please notice that we have already talked about some uses of infinitive and ING (Gerund). If you would like to review these classes here are the links:

Understanding the Present Continuous vs. Present Perfect Continuous in English

When learning English, especially for Spanish speakers, differentiating between the Present Continuous and Present Perfect Continuous can be a challenge. These two tenses may seem similar, but they serve different communicative purposes. Let’s break down these differences and explore the common issues Spanish speakers face.

Present Continuous (Estar + Gerundio in Spanish)
Structure:

Form: Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
Example: I am studying for my exams.

Uses:

Ongoing Actions at the Moment of Speaking:
She is reading a book right now.

Temporary Situations:
He is living in New York for a few months.

Communicative Focus:
The Present Continuous emphasizes that something is happening at this very moment or around the current period. It can also indicate planned future actions.

Present Perfect Continuous (Equivalent to ‘Llevar + Gerundio’ in Spanish, but with differences)
Structure:

Form: Subject + has/have + been + verb-ing
Example: I have been studying for three hours.

Uses:

Actions Started in the Past and Continuing to the Present:
They have been working on the project since Monday.

Recently Finished Actions with Present Results:
She has been cooking, so the kitchen is a mess.

Repeated Actions Over Time:
I have been going to the gym regularly.

Communicative Focus:
The Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes the duration of an action that started in the past and is still ongoing or has just finished. It’s useful when you want to stress how long something has been happening.

Common Problems for Spanish Speakers

  • Confusing the Two Tenses:

Example: A student might say “I am working here since last year”

Correction:  “I have been working here since last year.”

PROBLEM:  In Spanish, the equivalent of the Present Continuous can sometimes cover both meanings, leading to confusion. The use of “llevar + gerundio” might seem like the Present Continuous in English but actually corresponds more to the Present Perfect Continuous.

  • Misusing Present Continuous for Ongoing Actions with Duration:

Example: “I am studying English for two years.”
Correction: “I have been studying English for two years.”

PROBLEM: Spanish speakers might think in terms of “estoy estudiando” and directly translate it, but English requires the Present Perfect Continuous to express ongoing actions with a specified duration.

  • Overusing the Present Continuous for Finished Actions:

Example: “I am cooking, so the kitchen is dirty.”
Correction: “I have been cooking, so the kitchen is dirty.”

PROBLEM: In Spanish, this might be expressed differently, but in English, the Present Perfect Continuous is needed to connect the finished action with its present result.

Tips for Mastering These Tenses

Practice Duration Words:

Use time expressions like “for,” “since,” and “recently” with the Present Perfect Continuous to internalize its use.

Contextual Clues:

If an action is happening right now or is a plan for the near future, use the Present Continuous. If the action has been going on for a while, use the Present Perfect Continuous.
Real-life Practice:

Understanding these differences and their communicative purposes is key to mastering English tenses. With practice, Spanish speakers can overcome the common pitfalls and use these tenses more effectively.

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