Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Tenses

We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect
continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still
connected to the present.
Focusing on result or activity
The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the
present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way. 

Present perfect simple Present perfect continuous

Focuses on the result Focuses on the activity

You've cleaned the bathroom! It looks

I've been gardening. It's so nice out there.
lovely!

Says 'how many' Says 'how long'

She's read ten books this summer. She's been reading that book all day.

Describes a completed action Describes an activity which may continue

I've written you an email.  I've been writing emails.

When we can see evidence of recent

 
activity

The grass looks wet. Has it been raining?

 
I know, I'm really red. I've been running!

Ongoing states and actions

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing
states.
How long have you known each other?
We've known each other since we were at school. 

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about

ongoing single or repeated actions.

How long have they been playing tennis?

They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.

Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasise that a situation is temporary.

I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've
been going to the one in the shopping centre. 

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with present perfect simple or present perfect continuous
tenses.

1. ___have they arrived____________ (they/arrive) already?

2. Lucy ____has ran________ (run) 2000 metres today.
3. I __________have been cleaning_____ (clean) all morning. I’m fed up!
4. How long __have you known__________ (you/know) Simon?
5. I ___have been drinking_____ (drink) more water recently, and I feel better.
6. Sorry about the mess. I ______have baked_________ (bake).
7. How many times __have been you taking_____________ (you/take) this exam?
8. He ____has eaten___________ (eat) six bars of chocolate today.
9. Julie ____has cooked___________ (cook) dinner. Let’s go and eat!
10. The students _______have finished________ (finish) their exams. They’re very
happy.
11. The baby’s face is really dirty. What ___has he been eating____________ (he/eat)?
12. Iona is exhausted these days. She ____has been working___________ (work) too hard
recently.
13. Luke __have never been_____________ (never/be) abroad.
14. I _________have been waiting______ (wait) three hours already!
15. ___have you finished____________ (you/finish) your homework yet?
16. I _________have been reading_____ (read) your book all day. It’s very interesting,
but I’m only on chapter 2.
 17. She _______has drunk________ (drink) ten glasses of water!
18. It’s the most important decision I ______have ever took_______ (ever/take).
19. Help, I _____have lost__________ (lose) my wallet! How can I get home?

Exercise 2: Choose the correct option, present perfect simple or present perfect
continuous, to complete the dialogue.
A: (1) _______have have you took________ (you/take) the dog for a walk yet?

B: No, I haven’t. I (2) ___have been working____________ (work) all day. I (3)
_______have just came________ (just/come) home from work and I (4) _have not had __
(not have) the time to walk the dog yet.

A: So how long (5) _______has it been________ (the dog/be) home alone?

B: For about 6 hours. You (6) ___have walked____________ (walk) the dog zero times since
last weekend. Why don’t you take him for a walk?

A: Well, I (7) ____have been doing___________ (do) things all day too, you know. I have a
very important meeting tomorrow and I (8) ______haven’t finished_________ (not finish) my
presentation yet.

B: Okay, I will go then. (9) _____have you seen__________ (you/see) the collar and the
leash?

A: They are in the kitchen. By the way, (10) ____have you eaten___________ (you/eat)
anything yet? If not, could you get us something from the supermarket?
Adapted by S.Ç.B. June 2021, from: https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/intermediate-to-upper-
intermediate/present-perfect-simple-and-continuous
Adapted by S.Ç.B. June 2021, from: https://www.perfect-english-grammar.com/present-perfect-present-perfect-
continuous-1.html
Adapted by S.Ç.B. June 2021 from: https://test-english.com/grammar-points/b1-b2/present-perfect-simple-
continuous/

Answer key

Exercise 1 16. Have travelled

17. Have been reading
1. Have they arrived
18. Has drunk
2. Has run
19. Have ever taken
3. Have been cleaning
20. Have lost
4. Have you known
5. Have been drinking Exercise 2
6. Have been baking
1. Have you taken
7. Have you taken
2. Have been working
8. Has eaten
3. Have just come
9. Has cooked
4. Haven’t had
10. Have finished
5. Has the dog been
11. Has he been eating
6. Have walked
12. Has been working
7. Have been doing
13. Has never been
8. Haven’t finished
14. Have been waiting
9. Have you seen
15. Have you finished
10. Have you eaten