Present Perfect Progressive: Repetition vs. Duration

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Duration / Repetition

Indicating Continuous vs. Reoccurring Activity

Duration vs. Repetition

PRESENT PERFECT NONPROGRESSIVE	PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
DURATION – Use the nonprogressive tense to focus on duration of an action or event.	REPETITION – Use the progressive tense to focus on the repetitive nature of an action or event.
Engineers have worked to save the Tower of Pisa! (indefinite past)	Engineers have been working to save the Tower of Pisa!
Engineers have studied the foundation since 1817. (indefinite past)	Engineers have been studying the foundation since 1817.
Engineers have applied steel braces. (indefinite past)	Engineers have been applying steel braces for several months.
Engineers have stabilized the foundation. (indefinite past)	Engineers have been stabilizing the foundation since 1838.
	Diagram of restoration projects

Adverbs

PRESENT PERFECT NONPROGRESSIVE (duration)	PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE (repetition)
so far up to now until now to date for (quantity of time) over (quantity of time) since, ever since (specific date or time)	a number of times repeatedly several times often for (quantity of time) over (quantity of time) since, ever since (specific date or time)

Practice 1

Adverbs for and since

Select verbs from the menus to create a grammatical sentence. Remember all parts must "agree".

#	YOUR REPONSE	FEEDBACK
A.	He (have) (be) (work) to save the tower for .
B.	We (have) (be) (work) to save the tower since .

Practice 2

Placing Emphasis on Repeated Activity

Decide whether to use the present perfect progressive or nonprogressive

Select the word from each menu that best completes the sentence.
Compare your response to the answer by clicking the "check" button to the right.

#	YOUR RESPONSE	FEEDBACK
1.	The interior of the tower restoration for a long time.
2.	People the stairs of the tower for years causing the stairs to become worn down.
3.	Engineers several times to correct the lean of the tower, but have had little success.
4.	For a long time, the members of the cathedral next door their tower would be saved from falling over.
5.	Everyone for years that the tilt would only get worse.
6.	For two years, workers braces to reinforce the walls.
7.	Over and over again, people different solutions.
8.	An art committee a project to photograph the details of the tower.
9.	The committee every single wall and architectural detail of the tower for over three years.

Also see: Stative Verbs

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