Pick a language and start learning!
Present perfect continuous tense Exercises in English language
The Present Perfect Continuous tense is an essential aspect of English grammar that helps to express actions that began in the past and are still continuing or have recently stopped, often with a focus on the duration or ongoing nature of the action. By combining the present perfect tense with the continuous aspect, this tense provides a nuanced way to talk about activities and experiences in a detailed and time-sensitive manner. Understanding how to properly use the Present Perfect Continuous tense can greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively and with greater precision in English.
In this section, you will find a variety of grammar exercises designed to help you master the Present Perfect Continuous tense. These exercises will guide you through the process of identifying and forming the tense, using it in different contexts, and recognizing the subtle differences between related tenses. By practicing these exercises, you can improve your ability to describe ongoing actions, emphasize the duration of activities, and convey more complex ideas in both spoken and written English. Whether you are a beginner or looking to refine your skills, these exercises will provide valuable practice to help you become more confident in using the Present Perfect Continuous tense.
Exercise 1
<p>1. She has *been running* for two hours (verb for an ongoing activity).</p>
<p>2. They have *been studying* English since morning (verb for learning).</p>
<p>3. He has *been working* on his project all week (verb for employment).</p>
<p>4. We have *been waiting* for the bus for twenty minutes (verb for anticipation).</p>
<p>5. I have *been reading* this book since last month (verb for consuming literature).</p>
<p>6. The children have *been playing* outside since noon (verb for recreational activity).</p>
<p>7. She has *been cooking* dinner for the past hour (verb for preparing food).</p>
<p>8. They have *been living* in this city for five years (verb for residing).</p>
<p>9. He has *been driving* for three hours without a break (verb for operating a vehicle).</p>
<p>10. We have *been planning* our vacation for months (verb for organizing).</p>
Exercise 2
<p>1. She *has been studying* for her exams all week (action over a period of time).</p>
<p>2. They *have been playing* soccer since morning (repeated action).</p>
<p>3. We *have been living* in this city for five years (ongoing residence).</p>
<p>4. He *has been working* on his project since last month (continuing effort).</p>
<p>5. The kids *have been watching* TV for hours (prolonged activity).</p>
<p>6. I *have been waiting* for the bus for twenty minutes (expecting transport).</p>
<p>7. She *has been teaching* at the school for ten years (long-term profession).</p>
<p>8. They *have been traveling* around Europe for three months (extended journey).</p>
<p>9. We *have been cooking* dinner since 6 PM (preparing food).</p>
<p>10. He *has been reading* that book for a week (engaged in literature).</p>
Exercise 3
<p>1. She *has been studying* all night for the exam (action ongoing).</p>
<p>2. They *have been working* on the project for three months (continuous effort).</p>
<p>3. I *have been learning* Spanish for two years now (language acquisition).</p>
<p>4. We *have been waiting* for the bus for over an hour (action involving patience).</p>
<p>5. He *has been playing* the guitar since he was a child (musical activity).</p>
<p>6. The kids *have been playing* outside since this morning (outdoor activity).</p>
<p>7. She *has been cooking* dinner for the past two hours (preparing food).</p>
<p>8. I *have been reading* this book for days and still haven't finished (ongoing reading).</p>
<p>9. We *have been planning* our vacation for months (trip preparation).</p>
<p>10. They *have been arguing* about that topic all day (continuous disagreement).</p>