We can talk about past actions if they have a present result in the Present Perfect. The verbs or actions happened in the past and their results are felt now.
- You've lost a lot of weight!
- She's got a new nutritionist.
- I've been on a diet.
- We've been researching our genetics.
- The class has been studying present perfect.
In this meaning, the Simple is used to focus on completed actions. The Continuous is used to focus on repeated activities over a period of time.
- He's bought a stethoscope.
- He's been buying so many things.
- She's received something.
- She's been receiving medical equipment for the new clinic in Haiti for weeks.
- They have gone to the clinic.
- They have been going to the clinic a lot lately.
- He has driven the ambulance.
- He has been driving the ambulance everyday.
Certain verbs are very short actions. Because of this, they are usually used in the Simple.
- I've cut my finger!
- We've decided to stop smoking.
- She has stopped working in triage.
- The blood testing hasn't finished yet.
- We haven't fixed the hemorrhage.
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