Present perfect simple and continuous
Contrast completed results with ongoing activity; Choose forms for duration, repetition and temporary situations; Use present perfect simple with stative verbs.
1. Which sentence focuses on a completed result?
Multiple Choice20sAI've written four pages this morning.✓BI've been writing all morning.CI've been working on the introduction.DI've been reading the research lately.💡 The simple form plus a number emphasises the completed result.
2. Use the present perfect continuous when the main focus is how long an activity has been in progress.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 The continuous highlights duration and the activity itself.
3. Complete the sentence with the continuous form: We _____ been waiting since half past eight.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedhave💡 The present perfect continuous is have + been + verb-ing.
4. Which question asks about the number of completed occasions?
Multiple Choice20sAHow many times have you visited Berlin?✓BHow long have you been visiting Berlin?CHow often are you visiting Berlin now?DHow many times have you been visit Berlin?💡 How many times calls for the present perfect simple to count completed occasions.
5. Match each context to the most suitable completion.
Matching30sA visible finished result→I've cleaned the kitchen.An activity continuing for hours→I've been cleaning since breakfast.A state continuing from the past→I've known Eva for years.Several completed occasions→I've called her three times.💡 Simple forms express states, totals and results; the continuous emphasises ongoing activity.
6. Complete the present-perfect news announcement: The council _____ just approved the new transport plan.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedhas💡 The present perfect simple announces recent news with present relevance.
7. Put the chunks in order to make a question about duration.
Put in Order30s- 1.How long
- 2.have
- 3.you
- 4.been working
- 5.on this report?
💡 The question form is How long + have + subject + been + verb-ing.
8. Which sentence correctly describes a long-lasting state?
Multiple Choice20sAWe've had this printer for ten years.✓BWe've been having this printer for ten years.CWe have having this printer for ten years.DWe had this printer since ten years.💡 Have meaning possession is stative, so the simple form is normally used.
9. 'I've been completing six reports today' is the normal way to emphasise the total number completed.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 A completed total is normally expressed with the present perfect simple.
10. Complete with the past participle: Maya has _____ the same client twice this week.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedmet💡 The simple form has met counts completed occasions.
11. The floor is wet and you want to emphasise the recent activity. Which sentence is best?
Multiple Choice20sASomeone has been washing it.✓BSomeone has washed it three times.CSomeone washes it recently.DSomeone is been washing it.💡 The continuous emphasises a recent activity with present evidence.
12. Match each question to its most suitable short answer.
Matching30sHow long has she been working from home?→Since Monday.How long have they known each other?→For six months.How many times have you checked the calculation?→Three times.What have you been doing all afternoon?→Discussing the budget.💡 Since answers with a starting point, for with a duration, how many times with a total, and an activity question with an -ing phrase.
13. Complete the stative sentence with the past participle of know: I have _____ the answer for several days.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedknown💡 Know is stative, so the present perfect simple uses the participle known.
14. Both 'We've lived here for a year' and 'We've been living here for a year' can describe a situation that began in the past and continues now.
True / False20sTrue ✓False💡 With since or for, either form is often possible when the situation continues.
15. Which sentence presents a situation as temporary?
Multiple Choice20sANora has been staying with friends for a few weeks.✓BNora has owned the flat for a decade.CNora has known the landlord since school.DNora has been having a flat for a decade.💡 The continuous plus for a few weeks presents the situation as short-term.
16. Put the chunks in order to make a sentence about a recent repeated activity.
Put in Order30s- 1.We
- 2.have been receiving
- 3.a lot
- 4.of enquiries
- 5.recently.
💡 The continuous is appropriate for repeated activity continuing up to now.
17. Use the past participle of fix: Good news - Lee has _____ the software problem.
Fill the Gap20sAcceptedfixed💡 Has fixed is the present perfect simple and emphasises the completed result.
18. Which form correctly completes: 'I _____ enough of these delays'?
Multiple Choice20sAhave had✓Bhave been havingCam havingDhad been having💡 Have in this state expression is normally used in the present perfect simple.
19. The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has + verb-ing, without been.
True / False20sTrueFalse ✓💡 Been is an essential part of the continuous form.
20. Complete the activity sentence with the -ing form of do: What have you been _____ recently?
Fill the Gap20sAccepteddoing💡 The continuous form after been requires the -ing form doing.