Syllabus topic 3: Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous
Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous. Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity.
The idea
Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Structure & examples
Her hands are dirty because she has been working in the garden.
We have been waiting for an hour.
Notice the pattern
The continuous form emphasises the activity or its duration; the simple form often emphasises a completed amount. Compare I have been writing all morning with I have written three pages. Stative verbs such as know usually use the simple form.
I have been reading all afternoon.
She has been cooking since noon.
Important notes & common mistakes
Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Before you practice
First choose a form from the options. Then produce it yourself using the word or structure in the instruction. Finally, build complete sentences. Check the explanation after each answer and revisit any mistakes in your review list.
Extended topic: Present Perfect Simple vs Continuous
Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
Examples in context
Notice how each form fits its sentence. Read the context before choosing a form.
I have written five reports today. (completed total)
You look tired. Have you been running?
She has been studying for two hours.
I have known him since childhood.
The ground is wet because it has been raining.
Your progress
Ready to move on?
Mark this lesson as studied when you have finished the explanation.
Her hands are dirty because she ___ in the garden.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: has been working
Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
He ___ for three hours.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: has been studying
Completed sentence: He has been studying for three hours. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
How long have you ___ here?
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: been waiting
Completed sentence: How long have you been waiting here? Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
We ___, so our clothes are dirty.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: have been painting
Completed sentence: We have been painting, so our clothes are dirty. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
It ___ all morning.
Your answer: Unanswered
Correct answer: has been raining
Completed sentence: It has been raining all morning. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Question 1 of 50% complete
Her hands are dirty because she ___ in the garden.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has been working
Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has been studying
Completed sentence: He has been studying for three hours. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: been waiting
Completed sentence: How long have you been waiting here? Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have been painting
Completed sentence: We have been painting, so our clothes are dirty. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has been raining
Completed sentence: It has been raining all morning. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have been working
Completed sentence: Use work in the present perfect continuous: I have been working since dawn. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has been running
Completed sentence: Use run in the present perfect continuous: She has been running for an hour. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have been learning
Completed sentence: Use learn in the present perfect continuous: They have been learning Spanish for months. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: has been repairing
Completed sentence: Use repair in the present perfect continuous: He has been repairing his bike all day. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have been waiting
Completed sentence: Use wait in the present perfect continuous: We have been waiting since six. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: We have been waiting for an hour
Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result. Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: I have been reading all afternoon
I have been reading all afternoon. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result. Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: She has been cooking since noon
She has been cooking since noon. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result. Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: They have been living here for years
They have been living here for years. Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result. Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Have you been working late
Have you been working late? Use have/has been + verb-ing for an activity continuing up to now or explaining a present result. Use for for a duration and since for a starting point.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have written
Completed sentence: I have written five reports today. (completed total) Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: Have
Completed sentence: You look tired. Have you been running? Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: studying
Completed sentence: She has been studying for two hours. Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: have known
Completed sentence: I have known him since childhood. Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
Not quite. Keep learning.
Correct answer: raining
Completed sentence: The ground is wet because it has been raining. Present perfect simple emphasises completion, results or how many; continuous emphasises duration or recent activity. Use have/has been + -ing for the continuous. State verbs normally use the simple, and both forms can sometimes describe a continuing situation.
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