Present Perfect Simple – Present Perfect Progressive

Exercises and Tests

Form

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

irregular verbs: form of 'have' + 3rd column of irregular

verbs

Example: I / you / we / they have spoken

he / she / it has spoken

regular verbs: form of 'have' + infinitive + ed

Example: I / you / we / they have worked

he / she / it has worked

form of 'have' + been + verb + ing

 

Example: I / you / we / they have been speaking

he / she / it has been speaking

Exceptions

Exceptions when adding 'ed' :

when the final letter is e, only add d

Example:

love - loved

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example:

admit - admitted

final l is always doubled in British English (not in American English)

Example:

travel - travelled

after a consonant, final y becomes i (but: not after a vowel)

Example:

worry - worried

but: play - played

Exceptions when adding 'ing' :

silent e is dropped. (but: does not apply for -ee)

Example: come - coming

aber: agree - agreeing

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

Example: sit - sitting

after a vowel, the final consonant l is doubled in British English (but not in American English).

Example: travel - travelling

final ie becomes y.

Example: lie - lying

See also explanations on Present Perfect Simple and Present Perfect Progressive

Use

Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just

finished. In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: We use the

Present Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We

use the Present Perfect Progressive to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.

Result or duration?

Do you want to express what has happened so far or how long an action has been

going on yet?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

Result (what / how much / how often)

I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London twice.

Duration (how long)

I have been writing for an hour.

Certain verbs

The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple (not in the progressive form).

state: be, have (for possession only)

Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He has touched the painting.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I have known him for 3 years.

Emphasis on completion or duration?

Do you want to emphasise the completion of an action or its continuous course (how

has somebody spent his time)?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

Emphasis on completion

I have done my homework. (Meaning: My homework is completed

now.)

Emphasis on duration

I have been doing my homework. (Meaning: That's how I have

spent my time. It does not matter whether the homework is

completed now.)

Result or side effect?

Do you want to express that a completed action led to a desired result or that the

action had an unwanted side effect?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

desired result unwanted side effect

I have washed the car. (Result: The car is clean now.)

Why are you so wet? - I have been washing the car. (side effect: I

became wet when I was washing the car. It does not matter whether

the car is clean now.)

Time + negation: last time or beginning of an action?

In negative sentences: Do you want to express how much time has past since the last

time the action took place or since the beginning of the action?

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

since the last time

I haven't played that game for years. (Meaning: It's years ago that I

last played that game.)

since the beginning

I haven't been playing that game for an hour, only for 10 minutes.

(Meaning: It's not even an hour ago that I started to play that

game.)

Permanent or temporary?

If an action is still going on and we want to express that it is a permanent situation,

we would usually use the Present Perfect Simple. For temporary situations, we would

prefer the Present Perfect Progressive. This is not a rule, however, only a tendency.

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

permanent

James has lived in this town for 10 years. (Meaning: He is a

permanent resident of this town.)

temporary

James has been living here for a year. (Meaning: This situation is

only temporary. Maybe he is an exchange student and only here for

one or two years.)

Signal words

Present Perfect Simple Present Perfect Progressive

how often

... times

how long

since

for

Present Perfect Simple - Present Perfect Progressive

Exercise 10

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: (you / take) the dog for a walk yet?

2. B: I (work) all day. I (come / just) home from work and I

(have / not) the time yet to walk the dog.

3. A: How long (the dog / be) home alone?

4. B: For about 6 hours. You (walk / not) the dog for a long time. Don't you want to go?

5. A: Well, I (laze / not) about all day either, you know. I have a very

important meeting tomorrow and I still (finish / not) my presentation.

6. B: Okay, I will go then. Where (you / put) collar and leash?

7. A: They are in the kitchen. By the way, (you / eat) anything yet? If not, could you get us something from the supermarket?

Exercise 10

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: Have you taken the dog for a walk yet?

2. B: I have been working all day. I have just come home from work and I have not had the time yet to walk the dog.

3. A: How long has the dog been home alone?

4. B: For about 6 hours. You have not walked the dog for a long time. Don't you want to go?

5. A: Well, I have not been lazing about all day either, you know. I have a very important meeting tomorrow and I still have not finished my presentation.

6. B: Okay, I will go then. Where have you put collar and leash?

7. A: They are in the kitchen. By the way, have you eaten anything yet? If not, could you get us something from the supermarket?

Present Perfect Simple - Present Perfect ProgressiveExercise 11

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: I (call) for you for half an hour. Where (be) ? And why are your clothes so dirty?

2. B: I (tidy) up the shed in the garden.

3. A: (you / find) a box with old photos there? I (look) for it for ages.

4. B: I (discover / not) it yet, but I (work / not) for a long

time yet. I (come / just) in to eat something.

5. A: I (cook / not) anything yet because I (talk) to our neighbour.

Exercise 11

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. A: I have been calling for you for half an hour. Where have you been ? And why are your clothes so dirty?

2. B: I have been tidying up the shed in the garden.

3. A: Have you found a box with old photos there? I have been looking for it for ages.

4. B: I have not discovered it yet, but I have not been working for a long time yet. I have just come in to eat something.

5. A: I have not cooked anything yet because I have been talking to our neighbour.

Exercise 8

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. I (play / not) the computer for half an hour, only for about 5 minutes.

2. Bob (drive / not) a car for eight years.

3. Carla (go / not) on holiday for three years.

4. We (run / not) for 40 minutes yet - there are still 10 minutes left.

5. They (smoke / not) for 10 days now.

6. I (eat / not) anything since two o'clock.

7. Anna (work / not) here for five years, but for seven years.

8. I (read / not) for a long time - just 10 minutes, not more.

9. You (cycle / not) for two hours. It was only about one hour.

10. Catherine (speak / not) French for 10 years, so her French isn't very good now.

Exercise 8

Put the verbs into the correct tense (Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Progressive).

1. I have not been playing the computer for half an hour, only for about 5 minutes.

2. Bob has not driven a car for eight years.

3. Carla has not gone on holiday for three years.

4. We have not been running for 40 minutes yet - there are still 10 minutes left.

5. They have not smoked for 10 days now.

6. I have not eaten anything since two o'clock.

7. Anna has not been working here for five years, but for seven years.

8. I have not been reading for a long time - just 10 minutes, not more.

9. You have not been cycling for two hours. It was only about one hour.

10. Catherine has not spoken French for 10 years, so her French isn't very good now.

Present Perfect ContinuousFORM

[has/have + been + present participle]

Examples:

You have been waiting here for two hours.

Have you been waiting here for two hours?

You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

Examples:

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?

James has been teaching at the university since June.

We have been waiting here for over two hours!

Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Have you been exercising lately?

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

Lisa has not been practicing her English.

What have you been doing?

IMPORTANT

Remember that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of "lately" or "recently." If you use the Present Perfect Continuous in a question such as "Have you been feeling alright?", it can suggest that the person looks sick or unhealthy. A question such as "Have you been smoking?" can suggest that you smell the smoke on the person. Using this tense in a question suggests you can see, smell, hear or feel the results of the action. It is possible to insult someone by using this tense incorrectly.

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs/ Mixed Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be used in any continuous tenses. Also, certain non-continuous meanings for Mixed Verbs cannot be used in continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Examples:

Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct

Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You have only been waiting here for one hour.

Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

Recently, John has been doing the work. ACTIVE

Recently, the work has been being done by John. PASSIVE

Verb Tense Exercise 7

Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous

Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses, then click the "Check" button to check your answers.

Robin: I think the waiter (forget) us. We (wait) here

for over half an hour and nobody (take) our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) by us at least twenty times.

He probably thinks we (order, already) .

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) here for five

or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) yet! We (sit)

here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) us. He (run)

from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) in our direction once.

Robin: I think the waiter (forget) has forgotten us. We (wait) have been waiting here for over half an hour and nobody (take) has taken our order yet.

Michele: I think you're right. He (walk) has walked by us at least twenty times. He probably thinks we (order, already) have already ordered.

Robin: Look at that couple over there, they (be, only) have only been here for five or ten minutes and they already have their food.

Michele: He must realize we (order, not) haven't ordered yet! We (sit) have been sitting here for over half an hour staring at him.

Robin: I don't know if he (notice, even) has even noticed us. He (run) has been running from table to table taking orders and serving food.

Michele: That's true, and he (look, not) hasn't looked in our direction once.

1. Judy: How long (be) in Canada?

Claude: I (study) here for more than three years.

2. I (have) the same car for more than ten years. I'm thinking about buying a new one.

3. I (love) chocolate since I was a child. You might even call me a "chocoholic."

4. Matt and Sarah (have) some difficulties in their

relationship lately, so they (go) to a marriage counselor. I hope they work everything out.

5. John (work) for the government since he graduated from Harvard University. Until recently, he (enjoy)

his work, but now he is talking about retiring.

6. Lately, I (think) about changing my career

because I (become) dissatisfied with the conditions at my company.

7. I (see) Judy for more than five years and during

that time I have (see) many changes in her personality.

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Progressive - Lesson + Exercise

PRESENT PERFECT: have/has + __(past participle)__

PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE: have/has + been + _(verb) ing

Use PRESENT PERFECT: -for actions not happening now

-for actions already finished at this time

Use PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE: -for CONTINUING actions

-for actions not finished at the moment -for actions in the recent time period

Sam has played tennis with two different teams. Is Sam playing tennis right now?

1. Yes - he's playing now. 

2. No - he's not playing now.

Jeff has already finished his homework. Is Jeff doing his homework right now?

1. Yes, he is. (The action is continuing.)

2. No, he isn't. (The action is finished.)

Peter and Paul have already cleaned their room. Are they cleaning right now?

1. Yes (The action is continuing.)

2. No (The action is finished.)

Shaq has been playing for The Lakers since 1996. Does Shaq still play for the Lakers?

1. Yes, he does. (The action is continuing.)

2. No, he doesn't. (The action is finished.)

Jeff has been thinking about changing his field of study. Is he still considering changing it?

1. Yes, he is. (The action is continuing.)

2. No, he isn't. (The action is finished.)

They have been practicing English for many years. Do they still practice English?

1. Yes, they do. 

2. No, they don't. 

PLEASE NOTE: Sometmes it's possible to use words like WORK, PLAY, STUDY, LIVE, in either tense with no change in meaning. Compare: -Mr. Sanchez has taught English for 6 years.               -Mr. Sanchez has been teaching English for 6 years.

-ICE SKATERS-

1) Nancy Kerrigan is a professional ice skater. She ____ since she was a child.

A) has skated B) has been skating C) both tenses possible

2) Nancy ____ many awards for her skating. In fact, she won an Olympic medal.

A) has won B) has been winning C) both possible

3) Suriya Bonaly is also an Olympic ice skater. She's from France, but she ___ in Pennsylvania and Massachussetts in the United States.

A) has also lived B) has also been living C) both possible

4) Robin Cousins, a former ice skater and current commentator said this about new skater Mikkeline Kierkgaard, "She is one to watch for the future. She ___ everyone with the quality of her skating."

A) has surprised B) has been surprising C) both possible

5) In addition to ice skating, Mikkeline Kierkgaard ___ high school. She gets very good marks, and she even won a prize for being the most serious student at her school, for being able to handle school and skating at the same time. 

A) has attended B) has been attending C) both possible

6) Brian Boytano, a 1988 Olmypic Gold medalist, ____ lately that upon retirement he will move to a farm in Napa Valley, grow grapes, and ice skate only occasionally.

A) has said B) has been saying C) both possible

7) Brian ___ about opening a restaurant after he retires from skating, but he hasn't mentioned those plans lately.

A) has also talked B) has also been talking C) both possible

8) Scott Hamilton is another famous ice skater. He ____ since he was 9 years old.

A) has skated B) has been skating C) both possible

9) Scott was treated for testicular cancer in 1997. He successfully beat the cancer and he ____ cancer-free since that time.

A) has remained B) has been remaining C) both possible

10) Scott's focus ___ from skating in competitions to being the commentator at ice shows and sporting events, but he still performs in shows occasionally.

A) has changed B) has been changing C) both possible

Welcome to this week's writing lesson from

 MyEnglishTeacher.netIt Has Been Raining All Day . . .

Lesson Topic: Using The Present Perfect Progressive And The Difference Between The Present Perfect Progressive And The Present Perfect.

Let's say that your friend calls you up and wants to take you out for dinner.  You really don't feel like going because it started to rain early in the morning, and now it is very wet outside.  It is too wet to go out.  You are afraid of driving when the roads are so wet and slippery.  You do not know the exact time the rain started, but you want to tell your friend that the rain started in the past (in this situation, early in the morning) and is still continuing.  It is still raining.  You would probably say

It has been raining all day, and the streets are too wet to go out now.

This grammar is called the present perfect progressive.  It is used to say that something started in the past, and it is still happening.  It is often used to answer how long questions with for and since.  

So, how do you make the present perfect progressive?  Good question!  Here's how you make it:

It has been raining

subject +have

or has

+ been + verb with -ing

 

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Again, the present perfect progressive is used when an activity started in the past and continues until now.  For example, you may ask a college professor you met at a conference, "How long have you been teaching?"  Professor Brown can answer, "I have been teaching for 23 years."

If you read our lesson on the present perfect, you would know that the present perfect cannot use a specific time, like yesterday (if you haven't read it, you can read it now).  The present perfect progressive works the same way: you cannot use a specific time.  Therefore, I have been teaching at Columbia University today is incorrect.  

However, just like the present perfect, you can use the words since and for.  

The professor could reply with either of these two responses:

I have been teaching at Columbia University for 23 years

    OR I have been teaching at Columbia University since 1978.

If you read our present perfect lesson, you might ask yourself, "What is the difference between the present perfect progressive and the present perfect?"  That's another good question!  Take a look at these 2 sentences:

Present Perfect Progressive I have been teaching at Columbia University for 23 years

Present Perfect I have taught at Columbia University for 23 years.

The answer is very simple: there is NO DIFFERENCE.  If you remember correctly, there are 2 kinds of present perfect: 

  SINCE or FOR? Example Meaning

1 NO since or for I have smoked.

NOT SURE it continues The person smoked in the past (we don't know when), and he/she may still smoke, but we do not know.

2 YES, there is since or for I have smoked for 12 years.

SURE it continues The person started to smoke 12 years ago, and he/she still

smokes. 

Do you see what the meaning of the second kind of present perfect is?  It is the same meaning as the present perfect progressive!  That's right!  When the present perfect has since or for, it has the same meaning as the present perfect progressive!

As you can see, the present perfect has 2 meanings.  However, the present perfect progressive has only 1 meaning: it started in the past and continues until now.

There is one more thing you must remember: some verbs usually do NOT have -ing.  For example, we say I know you.  We would never say I am knowing you.  That's because know canNOT have -ing.  Verbs that cannot have -ing are called stative verbs.  Here is a list of stative verbs.  The words on the following list rarely have -ing.  Therefore, they are rarely used with the present perfect progressive.

STATIVE VERBS

know understand owe possess be

have* belong contain equal resemble

tend perceive suppose believe decide

conclude prefer love like seem*have with the meaning of possession: I have a pen.

Because these verbs cannot be used with the present perfect progressive, you can just use the present perfect with since or for:

INCORRECT We have been knowing you for a long time. CORRECT We have known you for a long time.

In order to summarize the present perfect progressive and the present perfect, look at the following chart: 

present perfect NO since or for 

I have lived in Korea.  Not sure if this person still lives in Korea; the time is also unknown.

present perfect WITH since or for

I have lived in Korea since 1997.

We are sure this person still lives in Korea; we also know the time.

present perfect progressive 

I have been living in Korea since 1997.

We are sure this person still lives in Korea; we also know the time.

The second and third sentences above have identical meanings.  The first and second sentences have (potentially) different meanings even though they look almost the same.  

You may be asking, "Which one should I use?  When should I use the present perfect progressive, and when should I use the present perfect with since or for?"

Actually, for some verbs, it doesn't matter, for example, the verb live (see above).  However, for many verbs, if you want to say that the action started in the past and continues until now, it is better to use the present perfect progressive.  Take a look at the following examples:

NOT natural We have painted our house since last night.

Natural We have been painting our house since last night.

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Quiz time

Directions: Rewrite the following sentences with the present perfect progressive.  The first one has been done for you.

1. Jack is cooking.  He started to do this 4 hours ago.

Jack has been cooking for 4 hours.

2.  My brother drives.  He started to do this in 1968.

3.  Carol lives in Morocco.  She went there last month.

4.  Timothy rides a bus to school.  He started to do it when his car broke down.

5.  Ping plays tennis.  She started to do this when she was young.

6.  Mick Jagger sings rock music.  He started to do this 40 years ago with the Rolling Stones.

7.  James knows how to repair a computer.  He learned how to do it a long time ago.

8.  Doctors and researchers look for a cure for cancer.  They started to do this more than 100 years ago.

9.  Patients use anesthesia during childbirth.  They started to do this in the mid-1800s. 

10.  I am reading this lesson.  I started to do this 10 minutes ago.  

 

1. Jack is cooking.  He started to do this 4 hours ago.

Jack has been cooking for 4 hours.

2.  My brother drives.  He started to do this in 1968.

My brother has been driving since 1968.

My brother has been driving for 33 years.

3.  Carol lives in Morocco.  She went there last month.

Carol has been living in Morocco for a month.

Carol has been living in Morocco since last month.

4.  Timothy rides a bus to school.  He started to do it when his car broke down.

Timothy has been riding a bus to school since his car broke down.

5.  Ping plays tennis.  She started to do this when she was young.

Ping has been playing tennis since she was young.

6.  Mick Jagger sings rock music.  He started to do this 40 years ago with the Rolling Stones.

Mick Jagger has been singing rock music with the Rolling Stones for 40 years.

7.  James knows how to repair a computer.  He learned how to do it a long time ago.

James has known how to repair a computer for a long time.

**Know cannot have -ing, so we use the present perfect with for which has the same meaning as the present perfect progressive.

8.  Doctors and researchers look for a cure for cancer.  They started to do this more than 100 years ago.

Doctors and researchers have been looking for a cure for cancer for more than 100 years.

9.  Patients use anesthesia during childbirth.  They started to do this in the mid-1800s. 

Patients have been using anesthesia during childbirth since the mid-1800s.

10.  I am reading this lesson.  I started to do this 10 minutes ago.  

I have been reading this lesson for the past 10 minutes.

Are you going to take the TOEFL?  Visit our new TOEFL Help Center.  Go to http://www.MyEnglishTeacher.net/TOEFL.    

  Rules to Remember!

1 Usually for can be omitted.  The meaning does not change.        Jack has been cooking 4 hours.

2 When using for AND a specific amount of time (one week, three years), you can use the words the past after the for.        We have been living here for the past 10 years.

3 The present perfect progressive usually answers how long questions. 

     How long have you been studying English?

     I have been studying English since high school.

4 The present perfect progressive can be used for repetitive actions that still occur.  For example,

     I have been going to Canada to ski for many years.

This means that the person goes to Canada on a regular basis.  Notice that the time is many years which is NOT specific.  You canNOT say

     I have been going to Canada to ski 3 times.

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