Present Perfect Continuous Tense

Exercises

Exercise -1

Exercise -2

Exercise -3

Usage: The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used to describe actions or events that started in the past, have continued up to the present moment, and may still be ongoing. It emphasizes the duration or repetition of an action or situation.

Positive Sentence Structure:

– Subject + have/has + been + present participle (-ing form of the verb)

Negative Sentence Structure:

– Subject + have/has + not + been + present participle (-ing form of the verb)

Question Sentence Structure:

– Have/Has + subject + been + present participle (-ing form of the verb)?

Examples:

1- Actions or events that started in the past and are still happening:

– She has been studying English for two hours.
– They have been working on the project since last week.

2- Actions or events that have recently stopped but their effects are still visible:

– He has been painting the house, and now it looks brand new.
– We have been cleaning the room, and it is now spotless.

3- Expressing duration or repetition of an action or situation:

– I have been practicing the piano every day this month.
– They have been learning French for years.

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used when we want to emphasize the ongoing nature of an action or event that started in the past and has a connection to the present. It suggests that the action or event has been happening for a significant period of time and may still be in progress at the moment of speaking. This tense puts emphasis on the duration, repetition, or continuity of the activity.

By using the Present Perfect Continuous Tense, we convey the idea that the action or event began in the past and has been ongoing until now. It highlights the process or the activity’s development over time. This tense allows us to describe situations or actions that have been happening for an extended duration, often with visible effects or consequences.

For example, if someone says, ‘I have been studying English for two hours,’ it indicates that the person started studying in the past and has continued doing so up until the present moment. The focus is on the continuous effort and the duration of the study session.

Similarly, phrases like ‘They have been working on the project since last week’ emphasize that the project started in the past and has been actively worked on up to the present time. The emphasis is on the ongoing nature of their work and the fact that it has been taking place for an extended period.

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense provides a connection between the past and the present, allowing us to describe actions or events with a temporal link and a sense of ongoing progress. It enables us to convey the idea of time invested, persistence, or recent activity with noticeable results.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Quiz

Here are 20 multiple-choice questions on the Present Perfect Continuous Tense, each with options, answers, and explanations:

1 -Which sentence is in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) She sings beautifully.
b) They have finished their homework.
c) He is reading a book right now.
d) I have been studying for hours.

Answer : d) I have been studying for hours.

Explanation: The sentence “I have been studying for hours” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

2 – What is the correct form of the verb “to play” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for the pronoun “we”?

a) have play
b) has play
c) have been playing
d) has been playing

Answer : c) have been playing

Explanation: The correct form of the verb “to play” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for the pronoun “we” is “have been playing.”

3- Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) He will travel to Italy next month.
b) They have played basketball.
c) We have been studying English.
d) She goes to the gym every week.

Answer : c) We have been studying English.

Explanation: The sentence “We have been studying English” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

4 – Which sentence is in the negative form of the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) They have been playing soccer.
b) He has been working hard.
c) I have not been sleeping well.
d) We have been enjoying the party.

Answer : c) I have not been sleeping well.

Explanation: The sentence “I have not been sleeping well” is in the negative form of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The negative form is created by adding “not” after the auxiliary verb “have been.”

5- What is the third-person singular form of the verb “to run” in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) run
b) runs
c) running
d) has been running

Answer : d) has been running

Explanation: The third-person singular form of the verb “to run” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is “has been running.” It is used when talking about he, she, or it.

6 – Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) He will travel to Spain next year.
b) They have been playing tennis.
c) We have finished our project.
d) She likes to read books.

Answer : b) They have been playing tennis.

Explanation: The sentence “They have been playing tennis” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

7 – Which sentence is in the interrogative form of the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) We are going to the park.
b) She has been reading a book.
c) Have you been watching that movie?
d) He has finished his work.

Answer : c) Have you been watching that movie?

Explanation: The sentence “Have you been watching that movie?” is in the interrogative form of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The interrogative form is created by inverting the subject and the auxiliary verb “have been.”

8 – What is the correct negative form of the sentence “He has been playing tennis” in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) He has not been playing tennis.
b) He hasn’t been playing tennis.
c) He does not play tennis.
d) He don’t play tennis.

Answer : b) He hasn’t been playing tennis.

Explanation: The correct negative form of the sentence “He has been playing tennis” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is “He hasn’t been playing tennis.” The contraction “hasn’t” is the shortened form of “has not.”

9- Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) We will have a picnic tomorrow.
b) They have been studying all night.
c) He played the guitar beautifully.
d) She has finished her work.

Answer : b) They have been studying all night.

Explanation: The sentence “They have been studying all night” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

10 – Which sentence is in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) I love to swim.
b) She has traveled to Europe.
c) They have been playing soccer.
d) He enjoys reading books.

Answer : c) They have been playing soccer.

Explanation: The sentence “They have been playing soccer” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

Test your knowledge of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense with this interactive quiz. Explore the usage, forms, and examples of this tense through a series of multiple-choice answers. Improve your understanding of how to express ongoing actions that started in the past and have relevance to the present. Challenge yourself and assess your grasp of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense.

Present Perfect Continuous

Here are 20 multiple-choice questions on the Present Perfect Continuous Tense, each with options, answers, and explanations:

11 – What is the correct form of the verb “to write” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for the pronoun “they”?

a) have write
b) has write
c) have been writing
d) has been writing

Answer : c) have been writing

Explanation: The correct form of the verb “to write” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for the pronoun “they” is “have been writing.”

12 – Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) We have visited that museum last week.
b) He is going to the gym tomorrow.
c) They play basketball every Sunday.
d) She has been dancing for hours.

Answer : d) She has been dancing for hours.

Explanation: The sentence “She has been dancing for hours” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

13 – Which sentence is in the negative form of the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) I have been enjoying the party.
b) He has been playing the guitar.
c) They have been having fun at the beach.
d) We have not been watching a movie.

Answer : d) We have not been watching a movie.

Explanation: The sentence “We have not been watching a movie” is in the negative form of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. The negative form is created by adding “not” after the auxiliary verb “have been.”

14 – What is the third-person singular form of the verb “to study” in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) study
b) studies
c) studying
d) has been studying

Answer : d) has been studying

Explanation: The third-person singular form of the verb “to study” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is “has been studying.” It is used when talking about he, she, or it.

15 – Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) We will have a party next weekend.
b) They have played basketball.
c) He has finished his work.
d) She has been cooking dinner.

Answer : d) She has been cooking dinner.

Explanation: The sentence “She has been cooking dinner” is in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

16 – Which sentence is in the interrogative form of the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) They have been traveling for days.
b) He has been playing the piano.
c) Have you been studying for the exam?
d) We have enjoyed the concert.

Answer : c) Have you been studying for the exam?

Explanation: The sentence “Have you been studying for the exam?” is in the interrogative form of the Present Perfect Continuous T. The interrogative form is created by inverting the subject and the auxiliary verb “have been.”

17 – What is the correct negative form of the sentence “They have been working hard” in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) They have not been working hard.
b) They haven’t been working hard.
c) They do not work hard.
d) They don’t work hard.

Answer : b) They haven’t been working hard.

Explanation: The correct negative form of the sentence “They have been working hard” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense is “They haven’t been working hard.” The contraction “haven’t” is the shortened form of “have not.”

18 – Choose the correct sentence in the Present Perfect Continuous T:

a) I will visit my grandparents tomorrow.
b) He has been painting a picture.
c) They play tennis every weekend.
d) She finished her book yesterday.

Answer : b) He has been painting a picture.

Explanation: The sentence “He has been painting a picture” is in the Present Perfect Continuous T. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

19 – Which sentence is in the Present Perfect Continuous T?

a) We go to the movies every Friday.
b) She has traveled to many countries.
c) They have been singing in the choir.
d) He enjoys playing video games.

Answer : c) They have been singing in the choir.

Explanation: The sentence “They have been singing in the choir” is in the Present Perfect Continuous T. It indicates an action that started in the past, has been ongoing, and has relevance to the present.

20 – What is the correct form of the verb “to dance” in the Present Perfect Continuous Tense for the pronoun “she”?

a) have dance
b) has dance
c) have been dancing
d) has been dancing

Answer : d) has been dancing

Explanation: The correct form of the verb “to dance” in the Present Perfect Continuous T for the pronoun “she” is “has been dancing.”

Present Perfect Continuous Tense