Ongoing
An Online Tour of the Tower
Referring to an activity in progress
Present Perfect — Nonprogressive vs. Progressive
| COMPLETED | ONGOING |
|---|---|
Use the present perfect for an activity or event that started in the past and has recently ended or is completed. |
Use the present perfect progressive for an activity or event started in the past and continues on. |
The art committee has photographed the entire Tower of Pisa. (They're done now.) |
They have been organizing 64,000 photographs. (work in progress) |
We have enjoyed our visit in Italy. (It is over now.) |
We have been enjoying our visit in Italy. |
Mr. Papaglia has worked on the project. (He's doing other things now.) |
Mr. Papaglia has been working on the project. (He continues to work on it.) |
He has written a book on the history of Pisa. (You can buy it. It's done. ) |
He has been writing a book on the history of Pisa. (He is still in the process of writing it.) |
Adverb Use
| PRESENT PERFECT | PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE |
|---|---|
COMPLETED – In this context, the activity has not ended yet. |
ONGOING – In this context, the activity is continuing. |
We have enjoyed our visit in Italy. (It is over now.) |
We have been enjoying our visit in Italy. (We have more to see.)
|
Practice
Still happening or done?
- 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.