Ongoing
Activity in Progress
Completed vs. Ongoing
| PRESENT PERFECT | PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE |
|---|---|
COMPLETED - an activity or event started in the past and has recently ended or is completed. |
ONGOING - 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. |
| 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 come to an end. |
ONGOING – In this context, the activity is ongoing. |
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.
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