Present Perfect Continuous and Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Continuous Present Perfect Simple

I have been cleaning my car. I have cleaned my car.
When we use the PPC, the action may be We use the PPS when the action is finished.
finished or not finished.

She has been doing her homework. She has done her homework.
(Perhaps she has finished it, perhaps not.) (She has finished it.)
We use the PPC to talk about how long We use the PPS to talk about what has been
something has been in progress. achieved in a period of time.

I have been walking all morning. I have walked six kilometers so far this
How long have you been having driving morning.
lessons? How many driving lessons have you had?
We use the PPC for situations which are more We use the PPS for situations which are more
temporary (continuing for a short time). permanent (continuing for a longer time).

He has been living there for just a few weeks. He has always lived there.
I have been working very hard recently. You have worked hard all your life.

I. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Perfect Continuous or the Present Perfect
Simple:
1. She has a sore throat. She _______ just _________________ (eat) two ice-creams.
2. ‘I want to talk to Jack.’ ‘Sorry, you can’t. He _____________________ (sleep) for two
hours.’
3. _________ you ___________________________ (hear) anything about Jane lately?
4. I cannot get into my own house. I ___________________________ (lose) my key.
5. You deserve a prize. You ______________________________ (work) very much lately.
6. We _________ always ___________________ (try) to keep it a secret.
7. ‘What’s that noise?’ ‘Jack and Ann __________________________ (argue) for ten
minutes.’
8. He _______ just______________________________ (arrive). You can ask him.
9. Your father ______________________________ (work) on this project for two months.
10. You ___________________________ (not listen). Why don’t you listen to me?
II. Make sentences using the PPC or the PPS:

E.g. The bell / ring / for two minutes.

The bell has been ringing for two minutes.

1. I / just finish / writing an article.

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2. We / not talk / for a long time.
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3. They / work / together since December.
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4. Peter / watch TV / for the last hour and a half.
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5. You / not make / many mistakes lately.
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6. We / try / to convince you for two hours now.
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7. I / already see / that movie.
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8. What / you / do / to John? He doesn’t look good.
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9. Your neighbour / fix / his car for two weeks.
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10. He / not finish / yet.
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