The main difference between present continuous and present perfect is that present continuous talks about ongoing actions while present perfect talks about previously started actions. Show Uses and Comparison1. Actions Happening NowWhile both tenses refer to actions that are happening at this moment, there is a detail that you need to pay attention to. Present continuous refers to actions that started and are continuing in the present. while present perfect refers to actions that started in the past and are still ongoing right now. You are learning English grammar. You have been learning English grammar. 2. Actions in the FutureWe use present continuous tense to talk about an action or event in the future that we already planned in advance. We also use the present perfect tense to talk about the future using clauses with 'before,' 'after,' 'until,' etc. I am visiting my grandparents this weekend. I will keep looking until I have found the perfect title. 3. Frequent ActionsWe use present continuous tense with words such as 'always,' 'forever,' 'constantly' to talk about a continuing series of repeated actions or events. We also use present perfect tense to talk about repeated actions in an unspecified period between the past and present. They are constantly arguing. They have argued frequently. 4. Finished ActionsWe tend to talk about experiences. To do so, we use the present perfect tense. We have mentioned before that present continuous is used to talk about an action that is happening right now. That is why we hear this tense in sports commentaries in which we are talking about actions that are happening right now. He is overtaking his teammate. He has overtook his teammate. 6. Reports and BroadcastWhile present continuous is used in sports commentaries, wee use present perfect in reports and broadcasts. In this case, news broadcasters use it to introduce headlines. The president has made her decision on environmental issues. The president is making her decision on environmental issues. StructureNow that we have discussed uses and compared the two tenses, lets us talk about structure. 1. Present Continuous TenseThis tense is created using the following pattern: 2. Present Perfect TenseWhen we creating present perfect tense we tend to follow the following pattern: As you can see in this pattern, present perfect is made of the present tense of 'have,' followed by the past participle of the main verb. Subject Have Past Participle I/You/We/They have walked He/She/It has slept CommentsYou might also likePresent Simple vs. Present ContinuousThere are similarities and differences between present perfect and past perfect, which might cause confusion. |