Present Perfect Simple – Present Perfect Progressive

Exercises and Tests

Form

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular form of 'have' + been + verb + ing
verbs
Example: Example:
I / you / we / they have spoken I / you / we / they have been speaking
he / she / it has spoken he / she / it has been speaking

regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example:
I / you / we / they have worked
he / she / it has worked

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed' : Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

 when the final letter is e, only add d  silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)
Example: Example: come - coming
love - loved
aber: agree - agreeing
 after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is
 after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is
doubled
doubled
Example:
admit - admitted Example: sit - sitting

 final l is always doubled in British English (not in  after a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in
American English) British English (but not in American English).

Example: Example: travel - travelling

travel - travelled  final ie becomes y.
 after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a
Example: lie - lying
vowel)
Example:
worry - worried
but: play - played

See also explanations on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

Use
Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just
finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: We use the
Present Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We
use the Present Perfect Progressive to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.
Result or duration?
Do you want to express what has happened so far or how long an action has been going on yet?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

Duration (how long)

Result (what / how much / how often)
I have been writing for an hour.

I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London twice.

Certain verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple (not in the progressive form).

 state: be, have (for possession only)

Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.

 senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He has touched the painting.

 brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I have known him for 3 years.

Emphasis on completion or duration?

Do you want to emphasise the completion of an action or its continuous course (how has somebody
spent his time)?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

Emphasis on duration
Emphasis on completion
I have been doing my homework. (Meaning: That's how I have spent

I have done my homework. (Meaning: My homework is completed my time. It does not matter whether the homework is completed now.)
now.)

Result or side effect?

Do you want to express that a completed action led to a desired result or that the action had an
unwanted side effect?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

unwanted side effect

desired result
Why are you so wet? - I have been washing the car. (side effect: I
became wet when I was washing the car. It does not matter whether
I have washed the car. (Result: The car is clean now.) the car is clean now.)

Time + negation: last time or beginning of an action?

In negative sentences: Do you want to express how much time has past since the last time the action
took place or since the beginning of the action?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

since the last time since the beginning

I haven't played that game for years. (Meaning: It's years ago that I I haven't been playing that game for an hour, only for 10 minutes.
last played that game.) (Meaning: It's not even an hour ago that I started to play that game.)

Permanent or temporary?
If an action is still going on and we want to express that it is a permanent situation, we would usually
use the Present Perfect Simple. For temporary situations, we would prefer the Present Perfect
Progressive. This is not a rule, however, only a tendency.

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

permanent temporary

James has lived in this town for 10 years. (Meaning: He is a James has been living here for a year. (Meaning: This situation is
permanent resident of this town.) only temporary. Maybe he is an exchange student and only here for
one or two years.)

Signal words

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

 how often  how long

 ... times  since
 for

Present Perfect Simple - Present Perfect Progressive

Exercise 10
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).
1. A: (you / take) the dog for a walk yet?

2. B: I (work) all day. I (come / just) home from work and I

(have / not) the time yet to walk the dog.

3. A: How long (the dog / be) home alone?

4. B: For about 6 hours. You (walk / not) the dog for a long time. Don't you
want to go?

5. A: Well, I (laze / not) about all day either, you know. I have a very

important meeting tomorrow and I still (finish / not) my presentation.

6. B: Okay, I will go then. Where (you / put) collar and leash?

7. A: They are in the kitchen. By the way, (you / eat) anything yet? If not,
could you get us something from the supermarket?

Exercise 10
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: Have you taken the dog for a walk yet?

2. B: I have been working all day. I have just come home from work and I have not had the
time yet to walk the dog.
3. A: How long has the dog been home alone?
4. B: For about 6 hours. You have not walked the dog for a long time. Don't you want to go?
5. A: Well, I have not been lazing about all day either, you know. I have a very important
meeting tomorrow and I still have not finished my presentation.
6. B: Okay, I will go then. Where have you put collar and leash?
7. A: They are in the kitchen. By the way, have you eaten anything yet? If not, could you get
us something from the supermarket?

Present Perfect Simple - Present Perfect Progressive

Exercise 11
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: I (call) for you for half an hour. Where (be) ? And why
are your clothes so dirty?

2. B: I (tidy) up the shed in the garden.

3. A: (you / find) a box with old photos there? I (look) for it

for ages.
4. B: I (discover / not) it yet, but I (work / not) for a long

time yet. I (come / just) in to eat something.

5. A: I (cook / not) anything yet because I (talk) to our

neighbour.

Exercise 11
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: I have been calling for you for half an hour. Where have you been ? And why are your
clothes so dirty?
2. B: I have been tidying up the shed in the garden.
3. A: Have you found a box with old photos there? I have been looking for it for ages.
4. B: I have not discovered it yet, but I have not been working for a long time yet. I have just
come in to eat something.
5. A: I have not cooked anything yet because I have been talking to our neighbour.

Exercise 8
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. I (play / not) the computer for half an hour, only for about 5 minutes.

2. Bob (drive / not) a car for eight years.

3. Carla (go / not) on holiday for three years.

4. We (run / not) for 40 minutes yet - there are still 10 minutes left.

5. They (smoke / not) for 10 days now.

6. I (eat / not) anything since two o'clock.

7. Anna (work / not) here for five years, but for seven years.

8. I (read / not) for a long time - just 10 minutes, not more.

9. You (cycle / not) for two hours. It was only about one hour.

10. Catherine (speak / not) French for 10 years, so her French isn't very good
now.

Exercise 8
Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. I have not been playing the computer for half an hour, only for about 5 minutes.
2. Bob has not driven a car for eight years.
3. Carla has not gone on holiday for three years.
4. We have not been running for 40 minutes yet - there are still 10 minutes left.
5. They have not smoked for 10 days now.
6. I have not eaten anything since two o'clock.
7. Anna has not been working here for five years, but for seven years.
8. I have not been reading for a long time - just 10 minutes, not more.
9. You have not been cycling for two hours. It was only about one hour.
10. Catherine has not spoken French for 10 years, so her French isn't very good now.

Present Perfect Continuous

FORM

[has/have + been + present participle]

Examples:

• You have been waiting here for two hours.

• Have you been waiting here for two hours?
• You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the
past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and
"since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect
Continuous.

Examples:

• They have been talking for the last hour.

 • She has been working at that company for three years.
• What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?
• James has been teaching at the university since June.
• We have been waiting here for over two hours!
• Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three
days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such
as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general
meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize
this meaning.

Examples:

• Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

• She has been watching too much television lately.
• Have you been exercising lately?
• Mary has been feeling a little depressed.
• Lisa has not been practicing her English.
• What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT

Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or
"recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as
"Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or
unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that
you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests
you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult
someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any

continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs
cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect
Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Examples:

• Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct
 • Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as:
always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

• You have only been waiting here for one hour.

• Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

• Recently, John has been doing the work. ACTIVE

• Recently, the work has been being done by John. PASSIVE

Verb Tense Exercise 7

Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate
tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.
Robin: I think the waiter (forget) us. We (wait) here

for over half an hour and nobody (take) our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) by us at least twenty times.

He probably thinks we (order, already) .

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) here for five
or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) yet! We (sit)

here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) us. He (run)

from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) in our direction once.

Robin: I think the waiter (forget) has forgotten us. We (wait) have been
waiting here for over half an hour and nobody (take) has taken our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) has walked by us at least twenty

times. He probably thinks we (order, already) have already ordered.

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) have only been here
for five or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) haven't ordered yet! We (sit) have
been sitting here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) has even noticed us. He (run) has
been running from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) hasn't looked in our direction once.

1. Judy: How long (be) in Canada?

Claude: I (study) here for more than three years.
 2. I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm
thinking about buying a new one.

3. I (love) chocolate since I was a child. You might

even call me a "chocoholic."

4. Matt and Sarah (have) some difficulties in their

relationship lately, so they (go) to a marriage
counselor. I hope they work everything out.

5. John (work) for the government since he

graduated from Harvard University. Until recently, he (enjoy)
his work, but now he is talking about retiring.

6. Lately, I (think) about changing my career

because I (become) dissatisfied with the conditions
at my company.

7. I (see) Judy for more than five years and during

that time I have (see) many changes in her
personality.

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Progressive - Lesson + Exercise

PRESENT PERFECT: PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE:

have/has + __(past participle)__ have/has + been + _(verb) ing
Use PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE:
Use PRESENT PERFECT:
-for CONTINUING actions
-for actions not happening now
-for actions not finished at the moment
-for actions already finished at this time
-for actions in the recent time period
Sam has played tennis with two different Shaq has been playing for The Lakers since 1996.
teams. Does Shaq still play for the Lakers?
Is Sam playing tennis right now?
1. Yes, he does. (The action is continuing.)
1. Yes - he's playing now.
2. No, he doesn't. (The action is finished.)
2. No - he's not playing now.
Jeff has been thinking about changing his
Jeff has already finished his field of study.
homework. Is he still considering changing it?
Is Jeff doing his homework right now?
1. Yes, he is. (The action is continuing.)
1. Yes, he is. (The action is
continuing.) 2. No, he isn't. (The action is finished.)
 2. No, he isn't. (The action is
finished.) They have been practicing English for many
years.
Peter and Paul have already cleaned Do they still practice English?
their room.
Are they cleaning right now? 1. Yes, they do.

1. Yes (The action is continuing.) 2. No, they don't.

2. No (The action is finished.)

PLEASE NOTE:
Sometmes it's possible to use words like WORK, PLAY, STUDY, LIVE, in either tense with no change in
meaning.
Compare: -Mr. Sanchez has taught English for 6 years.
-Mr. Sanchez has been teaching English for 6 years.

-ICE SKATERS-
1) Nancy Kerrigan is a professional ice skater. She ____ since she was a child.

A) has skated B) has been skating C) both tenses possible

2) Nancy ____ many awards for her skating. In fact, she won an Olympic medal.

A) has won B) has been winning C) both possible

3) Suriya Bonaly is also an Olympic ice skater. She's from France, but she ___ in
Pennsylvania and Massachussetts in the United States.

A) has also lived B) has also been living C) both possible

4) Robin Cousins, a former ice skater and current commentator said this about new
skater Mikkeline Kierkgaard, "She is one to watch for the future. She ___ everyone
with the quality of her skating."

A) has surprised B) has been surprising C) both possible

5) In addition to ice skating, Mikkeline Kierkgaard ___ high school. She gets very
good marks, and she even won a prize for being the most serious student at her
school, for being able to handle school and skating at the same time.

A) has attended B) has been attending C) both possible

6) Brian Boytano, a 1988 Olmypic Gold medalist, ____ lately that upon retirement
he will move to a farm in Napa Valley, grow grapes, and ice skate only occasionally.

A) has said B) has been saying C) both possible

7) Brian ___ about opening a restaurant after he retires from skating, but he hasn't
mentioned those plans lately.
 A) has also talked B) has also been talking C) both possible

8) Scott Hamilton is another famous ice skater. He ____ since he was 9 years old.

A) has skated B) has been skating C) both possible

9) Scott was treated for testicular cancer in 1997. He successfully beat the cancer
and he ____ cancer-free since that time.

A) has remained B) has been remaining C) both possible

10) Scott's focus ___ from skating in competitions to being the commentator at ice
shows and sporting events, but he still performs in shows occasionally.

A) has changed B) has been changing C) both possible

 Welcome to this week's writing lesson from

MyEnglishTeacher.net
It Has Been Raining All Day . . .

Lesson Topic: Using The Present Perfect Progressive And

The Difference Between The Present Perfect Progressive And
The Present Perfect.
Let's say that your friend calls you up and wants to take you out for dinner. You really don't
feel like going because it started to rain early in the morning, and now it is very wet outside.
It is too wet to go out. You are afraid of driving when the roads are so wet and slippery. You
do not know the exact time the rain started, but you want to tell your friend that the rain
started in the past (in this situation, early in the morning) and is still continuing. It is still
raining. You would probably say
It has been raining all day, and the streets are too wet to
go out now.

This grammar is called the present perfect progressive. It is used to say that something
started in the past, and it is still happening. It is often used to answer how long questions
with for and since.

So, how do you make the present perfect progressive? Good question! Here's how you
make it:

It has been raining

have
subject + or + been + verb with -ing
has

book recommendation
Action Grammar: Fast, Easy Answers on
Everyday Usage and Punctuation

The author, Joanne Feierman, focuses on the

grammar most of us need in everyday life, from "Five
Lies Your English Teacher Told You" to "Simple
Business Verbs You Should Know." She also
includes helpful sections on memos, letter writing,
and e-mail etiquette, as well as an appendix of
troublesome words and phrases, and words that are
easy to misspell. Click here for more information.

Again, the present perfect progressive is used when an activity started in the past and
continues until now. For example, you may ask a college professor you met at a conference,
"How long have you been teaching?" Professor Brown can answer, "I have been teaching
for 23 years."

If you read our lesson on the present perfect, you would know that the present perfect
cannot use a specific time, like yesterday (if you haven't read it, you can read it now). The