Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe events that started in the past and continue to the present.[1]https://7esl.com/present-perfect-continuous-tense/

present perfect continuous

Usage of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Actions that started in the past and continue to the present

You can use the verb tense to talk about actions that you started in the past and continue to do until the present.

For example:

  • I have been living in France for about 4 years.
  • Susie has been studying English for 2 years.
  • We have been driving for 10 hours!

Recent actions in the past that have results now

You can use the verb tense to talk about actions that you recently did that clearly have results in the present.

For example:

  • I am tired because I have been studying all night for the final exam.
  • She is sick because she has not been looking after her health.
  • Frank can’t come because he has not been paying attention to the time.

Short temporary situations

You can use the the verb tense to describe shorter situations.

For example:

  • Have you been studying for the English exam this week?
  • We have been cooking all day.
  • He has been studying for the exam all week.

Example Exercises

Complete each sentence with the present perfect continuous verb tense.

 13%

Question 1 of 8

1. ____________ (study) English for a long time?

Question 1 of 8

Question 2 of 8

2. Who ____________ (drink) all of my milk in the refrigerator?

Question 2 of 8

Question 3 of 8

3. Elisabeth told me that she ____________ (think) of quitting her job.

Question 3 of 8

Question 4 of 8

4. I didn’t do well on the test because I ____________ (study) a lot.

Question 4 of 8

Question 5 of 8

5. My dog ____________ (sleep) all day.

Question 5 of 8

Question 6 of 8

6. It ____________ (snow) all week.

Question 6 of 8

Question 7 of 8

7. Frank and Susie ____________ (play) basketball for hours.

Question 7 of 8

Question 8 of 8

8. We ____________ (eat) the same breakfast every day this week.

Question 8 of 8