Present Perfect Continuous Grammar Quiz
12 multiple-choice questions on the present perfect continuous: form, unfinished actions up to now, recent results, and for vs since. B1–B2 level.
This quiz checks how confidently you can apply Present Perfect Continuous at B1–B2 level, with questions built around real forms such as -ing, I've painted the fence., know, She has been studying. and since rather than abstract rule statements. Each question presents a full example sentence, so you have to judge which form fits the meaning and structure correctly instead of recalling a rule in isolation.
If a question catches you out, the FAQ section below explains the underlying rule in more detail, including common mistakes learners make with this point. Reviewing the explanation immediately after an incorrect answer, then retrying the quiz on a different day, builds more durable grammar knowledge than repeating the same 12 questions back to back.
Present Perfect Continuous — FAQ
How is the present perfect continuous formed?
The present perfect continuous is formed with 'have' or 'has' plus 'been' plus the -ing form of the main verb. For example, the affirmative is 'I have been reading', the negative is 'She hasn't been sleeping', and the question form is 'Have you been waiting long?'
When do we use the present perfect continuous for an unfinished action?
We use the present perfect continuous to describe an action that started in the past and is still continuing now, as in 'I have been living here for ten years'. The focus is on the duration of the ongoing activity, from when it started up to the present moment.
When do we use the present perfect continuous for a recent action with a present result?
We also use the present perfect continuous when a recent activity has just stopped but its effects are still visible now, as in 'You're out of breath — have you been running?' The action itself may be finished, but the present result of it is what we are commenting on.
What is the difference between the present perfect continuous and the present perfect simple?
The present perfect continuous focuses on the activity itself, which may be ongoing or unfinished, as in 'I've been painting the fence'. The present perfect simple focuses on the result or completion of an action, as in 'I've painted the fence', which emphasises that the job is done.
Why can't stative verbs be used in the present perfect continuous?
Stative verbs describe states rather than actions and are not normally used in continuous forms, including the present perfect continuous. We say 'I have known her for years', not 'I have been knowing her for years', because 'know' describes a mental state, not an ongoing activity.
What is a common mistake with the word 'been' in this tense?
A common mistake is dropping 'been' entirely, producing an incorrect sentence like 'I have working all day' instead of the correct 'I have been working all day'. The word 'been' is an essential part of the structure and cannot be omitted.
What is a common mistake with the auxiliary verb in this tense?
A common mistake is using the wrong auxiliary verb form, such as saying 'She have been studying' instead of the correct 'She has been studying', because third-person singular subjects (he, she, it) require 'has', not 'have'.
What is the difference between 'for' and 'since' with the present perfect continuous?
'For' is used with a period or duration of time, such as 'for two hours' or 'for ten years', showing how long something has lasted. 'Since' is used with a specific starting point in time, such as 'since 2 o'clock' or 'since 2015', showing when the action began.
Can the present perfect continuous compare an activity to a completed count of results?
Yes, comparing 'She's been reading that book' (present perfect continuous, focusing on the ongoing activity) with 'She's read three books this month' (present perfect simple, focusing on a completed, countable result) shows the different emphasis each form gives, even though both connect the past to the present.
What kind of activities are typically described with the present perfect continuous?
The present perfect continuous typically describes activities with duration, whether still ongoing or only recently finished, rather than single completed events. It is commonly used in questions like 'How long have you been studying English?' to ask about duration up to the present moment.