1. Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
1) ___________ football all day. (Jim / play)
2) How long ______________ for me? (you / wait)
3) They’re tired because ______________ early all this week. (they / get up)
4) ___________ , so his throat hurts. (Jamie / shout)
5) ___________ , so you don’t know what to do. (you / not listen)
6) ___________ since she got home. (Tracy / study)
7) How long ______________ professionally? (you / cycle)
8) Sam isn’t very fit because ______________ to the gym this year. (he / not go)
Show answers
1) Jim has been playing
2) have you been waiting
3) they’ve / have been getting up
4) Jamie has been shouting
5) You haven’t been listening
6) Tracy has been studying
7) have you been cycling
8) he hasn’t been going
2. Match sentences 1-8 in exercise 1 with the uses of the present perfect continuous a and b.
a An action that began in the past and is still in progress.
______________________ _____________ _____________
b An action that has recently stopped and that explains the present situation.
__________________________ _____________ _____________
Show answers
a 1, 2, 6, 7
b 3, 4, 5, 8
3. Complete the sentences with for or since.
1) they’ve been doing their homework ________ an hour.
2) He’s been supporting his local football team ________ they were promoted to the premier league.
3) She’s been playing for England ________ ten years.
4) I’ve been studying German ________ six months.
5) We’ve been skiing ________ we were children.
6) I’ve been sneezing a lot ________ yesterday.
Show answers
1) for 2) since 3) for 4) for
5) since 6 since
4. Choose the correct answer.
1) Simon can’t walk because he’s broken / he’s been breaking his leg.
2) You’re late! What have you done / have you been doing ?
3 I’ve read / I’ve been reading the biography of Rafael Nadal, but I’m only on page 57.
4) How often have they offered / have they been offering to help with the washing up?
5 She’s liked / She’s been liking reggae since she went to Jamaica.
6 I’ve sold / I’ve been selling five of DVDs, but I didn’t get much money for them.
7) How long have you designed / have you been designing computer programs?
8) How many films has Matt seen / has Matt been seeing this week?
Show answers
1) he’s broken
2) have you been doing
3) I’ve been reading
4) have they offered
5) She’s liked
6) I’ve sold
7) have you been designing
8) has Matt seen
5. Complete the text with the present perfect simple or the present perfect continuous form of the verbs in brackets.
brother is very happy this morning because he 1) _____ (lose) another kilo. He 2) _____ (be) on a diet for the last two months, so he 3) _____ (stop) eating bread completely. He 4) _____ (eat) more healthily which means no cakes, biscuits, or fizzy drinks. Instead, mum 5) _____ (give) him fresh fruit every day for snacks. Since he started his diet, parents 6) _____ (cook) healthy meals all the time, as well. Personally, I would prefer chips!
Show answers
1) ’s / has lost 2) ’s / has been
3) ’s / has stopped 4) ’s / has been eating
5) has been giving 6) have been cooking
Challenge!
Write questions with the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous. Then, answer the questions with a complete sentence.
1) How many times / you / visit the doctor this year.
________ ?
________ .
2) How long / you / study English
________ ?
________ .
3) How much water / you / drink today
________ ?
________ .
4) How long / you / do homework this evening
________ ?
________ .
Show answers
1) How many times have you visited the doctor’s this year?
Students’ own answers
2) How long have you been studying English?
Students’ own answers
3) How much water have you drunk today?
Students’ own answers
4) How long have you been doing your homework this evening?
Students’ own answers