📖 Quick Grammar Reference: Present Perfect Continuous
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative (+) | have/has + been + -ing | I have been studying for three years. |
| Negative (−) | haven’t/hasn’t + been + -ing | She hasn’t been feeling well lately. |
| Question (?) | Have/Has + subject + been + -ing? | Have you been waiting long? |
| Use 1 | An action that started in the past and is still continuing now — I have been living here since 2019. | |
| Use 2 | An action that has just stopped, with a visible present result — She has been crying — her eyes are red. | |
Exercise 1 — Fill in the Blank (Put the verb in brackets into the correct present perfect continuous form.)
- I (learn) Spanish for two years.
- She (not / feel) well since Monday.
- you (wait) here for a long time?
- They (work) on this project all week.
- He (not / sleep) well recently — he looks tired.
- it (rain) all morning? The streets are wet.
- We (plan) this trip since January.
- My hands are dirty because I (fix) the car.
- She (not / answer) her phone all day.
- How long they (live) in Berlin?
Exercise 2 — True or False (Read each statement about present perfect continuous rules and circle T (True) or F (False).)
-
The present perfect continuous is formed with have/has + been + -ing.
T F
-
We usually use the present perfect continuous with for or since to show duration.
T F
-
Stative verbs like know, like, and believe are commonly used in the present perfect continuous.
T F
-
“I have been writing three reports today” is a correct way to emphasise a completed number of items.
T F
-
The present perfect continuous can describe an action that has just finished but still has a visible present result.
T F
Print version: write T or F on the line next to each statement.
Exercise 3 — Write Your Own Sentences (Answer each question with a full sentence using the present perfect continuous.)
- How long have you been learning English?
- What have you been doing this week?
- How long have you been living in your current home?
- What have you been thinking about lately?
- Have you been working or studying hard recently? What have you been doing?
📋 Show Answer Key
Exercise 1
- have been learning
- hasn’t been feeling
- Have … been waiting
- have been working
- hasn’t been sleeping
- Has … been raining
- have been planning
- have been fixing
- hasn’t been answering
- have … been living
Exercise 2
- True
- True
- False — stative verbs are not normally used in continuous forms
- False — a specific completed number uses the present perfect simple: “I have written three reports today.”
- True — e.g. “She has been crying — her eyes are red.”
Exercise 3
Open answers. Check that students use have/has been + -ing, and where relevant, a correct time expression with for or since.
Present Perfect Continuous Worksheet — FAQ
What does this present perfect continuous worksheet cover?
This worksheet covers the form and use of the present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing) for actions that started in the past and are still continuing, or actions that have recently stopped but have a visible present result.
What level is this present perfect continuous worksheet?
This worksheet is designed for B1 (Intermediate) to B2 (Upper-Intermediate) learners who already know the present perfect simple and are learning the continuous form.
How do I form the present perfect continuous?
Use have/has + been + the -ing form of the verb. Example: I have been studying English for three years. She has been waiting for an hour.
What is the difference between present perfect simple and present perfect continuous?
The present perfect simple usually emphasises the result or how much/many (I have written three emails), while the present perfect continuous emphasises the duration or activity itself (I have been writing emails all morning).
Which time expressions are common with the present perfect continuous?
Common time expressions include ‘for’ (for two hours), ‘since’ (since 9 am), ‘all day/morning/week’, and ‘lately’ or ‘recently’ for actions that have just stopped.
Can I save this worksheet as a PDF?
Yes. Click the orange ‘Print / Save as PDF’ button at the top of the page. In your browser’s print dialogue, select ‘Save as PDF’ as the destination. The worksheet is formatted for A4 paper.
Is the answer key included?
Yes. Scroll to the bottom of the worksheet to find the collapsible answer key. Click ‘Show Answer Key’ to reveal all answers. If you want to print the answers too, open the key before clicking Print.
What online exercise goes with this worksheet?
The related online exercise is Complete the Sentence at lexfizz.com/exercises/complete-the-sentence/ — it provides immediate feedback for the same type of present perfect continuous gap-fill practice.
Why can't we use stative verbs in the present perfect continuous?
Stative verbs (know, believe, like, own, understand) describe states rather than actions and are not normally used in any continuous form, including the present perfect continuous. We say ‘I have known her for years’, not ‘I have been knowing her for years’.
How long does this worksheet take to complete?
The three exercises take approximately 20–25 minutes for most B1–B2 learners. Allow extra time for the writing task in Exercise 3 if students need to think carefully about forming original sentences.