Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous Worksheets

In this collection of Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous worksheets and exercises, you’ll find a variety of exercises designed to help you master both tenses. From multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank activities to error correction and sentence rewriting tasks, these practice exercises will help you use the Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous accurately and confidently in everyday English.

📚 Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous Worksheets

The Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous tenses are often confusing because both connect the past to the present. However, they are used in different situations.

• Present Perfect focuses on the result or completion of an action.
• Present Perfect Continuous focuses on the duration or ongoing nature of an action.

 

 

✏️Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous Exercises

📝Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Tense

1. I (have read / have been reading) this book for two weeks.
2. She (has finished / has been finishing) her project already.
3. They (have lived / have been living) in this city since 2019.
4. We (have cleaned / have been cleaning) the house, and now it looks great.
5. Tom (has played / has been playing) video games all afternoon.
6. I (have written / have been writing) three emails today.
7. It (has rained / has been raining) since this morning.
8. She (has learned / has been learning) Spanish for six months.
9. They (have completed / have been completing) the task successfully.
10. I (have waited / have been waiting) for you for over an hour.

Answers

1. have been reading
2. has finished
3. have been living
4. have cleaned
5. has been playing
6. have written
7. has been raining
8. has been learning
9. have completed
10. have been waiting

📝Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks

Use the Present Perfect or Present Perfect Continuous form of the verbs in parentheses.

1. She __________ (work) here for five years.
2. I __________ (finish) my report.
3. They __________ (watch) TV all evening.
4. We __________ (visit) that museum twice.
5. He __________ (study) for the exam since breakfast.
6. The children __________ (play) outside for hours.
7. I __________ (lose) my keys.
8. She __________ (cook), and the kitchen smells amazing.
9. They __________ (build) a new bridge since last year.
10. We __________ (already/see) that movie.

Answers

1. has been working
2. have finished
3. have been watching
4. have visited
5. has been studying
6. have been playing
7. have lost
8. has been cooking
9. have been building
10. have already seen

📝Exercise 3: Find and Correct the Mistakes

Each sentence contains a mistake. Rewrite it correctly.

1. I have been finish my homework.
2. She has worked on the project since three hours.
3. They have been known each other for years.
4. We have waited for two hours and we are still waiting.
5. He has completed the task for all morning.
6. I have been seeing that movie three times.
7. It has rained since five hours.
8. She has written emails all day.
9. They have been finished the job.
10. We have been owning this car since 2018.

Answers

1. I have finished my homework.
2. She has been working on the project for three hours.
3. They have known each other for years.
4. We have been waiting for two hours, and we are still waiting.
5. He has been working on the task all morning.
6. I have seen that movie three times.
7. It has been raining for five hours.
8. She has been writing emails all day.
9. They have finished the job.
10. We have owned this car since 2018.

📝Exercise 4: Rewrite the Sentences

Rewrite the sentences using the tense indicated.

1. I started studying two hours ago. (Present Perfect Continuous)
2. She finished her homework. (Present Perfect)
3. They started living here in 2021. (Present Perfect Continuous)
4. We completed the project. (Present Perfect)
5. Tom started waiting at 9 a.m. (Present Perfect Continuous)
6. I wrote three reports today. (Present Perfect)
7. She started practicing the piano this morning. (Present Perfect Continuous)
8. They completed the repairs. (Present Perfect)
9. We started traveling around Europe last month. (Present Perfect Continuous)
10. He painted the room. (Present Perfect)

Answers

1. I have been studying for two hours.
2. She has finished her homework.
3. They have been living here since 2021.
4. We have completed the project.
5. Tom has been waiting since 9 a.m.
6. I have written three reports today.
7. She has been practicing the piano since this morning.
8. They have completed the repairs.
9. We have been traveling around Europe since last month.
10. He has painted the room.

📝Exercise 5: Complete the Conversation

Complete the dialogue using the correct form of the verbs in parentheses.

Emma: Hi, Jack! What __________ (you/do)?

Jack: I __________ (work) on my presentation all day.

Emma: Really? __________ (you/finish) it yet?

Jack: No, not yet. I __________ (try) to organize all the information.

Emma: How long __________ (you/work) on it?

Jack: I __________ (work) on it since this morning.

Emma: Wow! I __________ (already/complete) my presentation.

Jack: That’s great! How many slides __________ (you/create)?

Emma: I __________ (make) twenty slides so far.

Jack: You must be relieved!

Answers

1. have you been doing
2. have been working
3. Have you finished
4. have been trying
5. have you been working
6. have been working
7. have already completed
8. have you created
9. have made

🎯 Summary

Use Present Perfect when:

• The action is completed.
• The result is important.
• You talk about experiences or achievements.

Examples:

• I have finished my homework.
• She has visited London twice.

Use Present Perfect Continuous when:

• The action started in the past and is still continuing.
• You want to emphasize duration or activity.

Examples:

• I have been studying for three hours.
• She has been working here since 2021.