We can use the Present Perfect to talk about past actions that have a present result. The verbs or actions happened in the past and their results are felt now.
- You've lost a lot of weight! (Present result: the person is slimmer than before.)
- She has bought a new car. (Present result: she is driving it.)
- Carlos has broken his leg. (Present result: he can’t get around easily)
- We've painted our living room. (Present result: it’s now a different colour.)
- The class has been studying present perfect. (Present result: they now know how to use it.)
In the same way, the Simple can be used to focus on completed actions. The Continuous is used to focus on repeated activities over a period of time.
- He's bought a coffee.
- He's been meeting so many people since he started at his new school.
- They have gone to the beach.
- They have been going to the beach a lot this summer.
- He has driven here.
- He has been driving here every day.
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 take a trip to Spain.
- It has stopped raining.
- Class hasn't finished yet.
- We haven't fixed the door.
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