Present Continuous or Present Perfect?

Learn which tense to use, and why.

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Topic

Which one should I use?

Use the present continuous for actions happening now. Use the present perfect for actions completed before now with a result now, or for life experience.

I am eating now.
I have eaten lunch.
She is writing now.
She has written a story.
Big idea

Ask: happening now, or completed before now?

Happening now?I am cleaning my room.Use present continuous.
Finished with result?I have cleaned my room.Use present perfect.
Life experience?She has visited Dubai.Use present perfect.
Present continuous

Use it for actions in progress.

NowAli is reading now.The action is happening.
TemporaryMaha is staying with her aunt this week.Not always.
ChangingThe weather is getting hotter.Changing around now.
Present perfect

Use it for completed actions connected to now.

Result nowI have lost my key.I do not have it now.
Just finishedShe has finished her work.The work is complete now.
ExperienceThey have seen that film.At some time before now.
Signal words

Time words can help.

Present continuous cluesnow, right now, at the moment, today, this weekAction in progress or temporary.
Present perfect cluesalready, just, yet, ever, never, so farCompleted before now or experience.
Think meaning“Today” can be temporary.
“Already” shows completion.Meaning matters most.
Form reminder

Present continuous forms.

AffirmativeI am working.
She is reading.
They are playing.am/is/are + ing
NegativeI am not working.
She isn't reading.
They aren't playing.not after am/is/are
QuestionAre you working?
Is Sara reading?Move am/is/are first.
Form reminder

Present perfect forms.

AffirmativeI have finished.
She has eaten.has/have + past participle
NegativeI haven't finished.
She hasn't eaten.not after has/have
QuestionHave you finished?
Has Sara eaten?Move has/have first.
Compare

Same verb, different meaning.

I am doing my homework.I am working on it now.In progress.
I have done my homework.It is finished now.Completed result.
Why?Doing = in progress.
Done = completed.Choose from meaning.
Common mistake

Do not mix the forms.

CorrectShe is writing now.Present continuous.
CorrectShe has written a letter.Present perfect.
Not correctShe has writing.
She is written now.Do not mix has + ing or is + participle here.
Sentence completion 1

Choose the correct form.

Maha ___ her room right now.

Sentence completion 2

Choose the correct form.

Ali ___ his room. It is clean now.

Sentence completion 3

Choose the correct question.

___ you ever visited Salalah?

MCQ 1

Which sentence fits “now”?

Choose the best sentence.

MCQ 2

Which sentence shows completion?

Choose the best sentence.

Paragraph completion 1

Fill five blanks.

Choose present continuous or present perfect. Think about why.

Look! It outside.
I my umbrella, so I am ready.
My friends at the door now.
Omar home, so he is not here.
Maha her homework yet.
Test 1

Mixed question types of 5

Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.

1. Sentence completion

Listen! Sara ___ a song.

2. MCQ

Which sentence shows experience before now?

3. Type the answer

___ they finished yet?

4. Type the answer

Right now, Ali ___ football.

5. MCQ

Which sentence explains why she cannot find it now?

Cumulative result sheet

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