Present Perfect Continuous Practice Test (Advanced): 45 Questions

Q1I'm absolutely exhausted. I ___ in the garden all morning.

Answer: D. have been working

The present perfect continuous is used to emphasize the duration of a dynamic activity (an action involving change or physical effort) that has a direct, visible result in the present. Here, the result is the speaker's exhaustion. 'Am working' (present continuous) only describes the current moment, while 'worked' (past simple) treats the activity as a finished fact without necessarily connecting it to the speaker's current physical state. 'Was working' (past continuous) is used for actions in progress at a specific past point, not for explaining a present condition.

Q2I ___ this report three times already, so I'm very familiar with the data.

Answer: A. have read

The present perfect simple is required when we specify a numerical frequency or a completed count ('three times'). When an action is viewed as a finished achievement or a specific number of instances, the continuous aspect is inappropriate. 'Have been reading' would focus on the ongoing process of reading but cannot be used to count completed units. 'Am reading' describes a current action but does not account for the previous three completed instances.

Q3Why is the floor wet? ___ the windows open during the storm?

Answer: A. Did you leave

The past simple 'Did you leave' is used because the action is linked to a specific, finished time period: 'during the storm.' In English, once a specific past time anchor is established, the past simple is preferred over the perfect aspect. 'Have you been leaving' would imply a repetitive habit over a long period, which does not fit this specific weather event. 'Are you leaving' refers to the present or future, and 'do you leave' refers to a general habit.

Q4Sorry I'm late. I ___ with a difficult client on the phone.

Answer: C. have been dealing

The present perfect continuous is often used to explain a current situation (being late) by focusing on a recently concluded or ongoing activity. It highlights the process as the cause of the delay. 'Have dealt' (present perfect simple) focuses more on the fact that the task is finished, whereas 'have been dealing' emphasizes the time-consuming nature of the struggle. 'Am dealing' (present continuous) implies the action is still ongoing at this moment — contradicting 'sorry I'm late' which suggests the speaker has already arrived and the call has ended.

Q5He ___ Spanish for six months, but he still can't hold a conversation.

Answer: D. has been learning

The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration and ongoing effort of a process ('for six months'). When combined with 'but he still can't,' it highlights that despite the persistent activity, the goal has not yet been reached. 'Has learned' (present perfect simple) would imply he has successfully acquired the language, which contradicts the second half of the sentence. 'Is learning' (present continuous) describes the current status but fails to account for the six-month duration.

Q6I ___ my keys. Have you seen them anywhere?

Answer: A. have lost

The verb 'lose' is an achievement verb—an action that happens in an instant rather than a prolonged process. The present perfect simple 'have lost' is used for completed actions with present relevance (the keys are still missing). The continuous 'have been losing' would suggest the speaker is in the middle of a long process of losing the same object, or that they lose things habitually, neither of which makes sense here.

Q7Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: D. She has known him for years.

'Know' is a state/feeling verb—a verb describing a state rather than an action. state-describing verbs are generally not used in continuous forms. To describe a state that began in the past and continues to the present, the present perfect simple 'has known' must be used. 'She has been knowing' is a common error. Additionally, 'since' must be used with a specific point in time (e.g., 2010), while 'for' is used for durations (e.g., years).

Q8We ___ the new project for hours, but we haven't reached a decision yet.

Answer: C. have been discussing

The present perfect continuous is used to emphasize the duration ('for hours') of an ongoing activity that has not yet concluded. This aspect highlights the 'slog' or the continuity of the discussion. While 'have discussed' is grammatically possible, it often implies a completed event. The continuous aspect better captures the exhaustive and unfinished nature of the deliberation mentioned in the second clause.

Q9I ___ the car. It looks brand new again.

Answer: C. have cleaned

The present perfect simple is used when the focus is on the completed result of an action. The phrase 'It looks brand new again' provides the evidence of a finished task. If we used 'have been cleaning,' the focus would be on the activity itself (perhaps explaining why the speaker is wet or tired) rather than the successful completion of the job.

Q10Look at the chart. Sales ___ steadily throughout the last quarter.

Answer: A. have been increasing

The present perfect continuous is used to describe a dynamic trend or a steady process of change occurring over a period of time leading up to now. 'Have been increasing' captures this incremental movement. 'Has increased' is incorrect because 'Sales' is a plural subject. 'Are increasing' describes the current moment but does not span the entire duration of the 'last quarter' as effectively as the perfect aspect.

Q11Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: C. I have owned this house for ten years.

'Own' is a state/feeling verb of possession and cannot be used in the continuous aspect, making 'have been owning' incorrect. To express a state that started in the past and continues now, use the present perfect simple 'have owned.' Additionally, 'for' is required for durations of time ('ten years'), whereas 'since' requires a specific starting point (like '2014').

Q12She ___ three novels this year alone.

Answer: B. has written

When specifying a completed quantity ('three novels'), you must use the present perfect simple. This aspect focuses on the achievement within a time period that is still ongoing ('this year'). The continuous 'has been writing' focuses on the activity of writing; it would be used if we didn't mention the specific number of finished books.

Q13___ you ___ to the gym lately? You look very fit.

Answer: C. Have / been going

The present perfect continuous is used to ask about repeated actions or habits that have been happening 'lately' or 'recently.' It suggests a consistent recent behavior that has produced a visible result (looking fit). 'Have you gone' (simple) sounds like a question about a single visit, which would not explain why the person looks generally fit.

Q14I ___ on this essay all week, but I'm only halfway through.

Answer: C. have been writing

This sentence emphasizes the duration ('all week') of an unfinished process. The present perfect continuous is the most appropriate aspect for an activity that began in the past and is still happening. 'Have written' usually implies the essay is finished, which is explicitly contradicted by the clause 'I'm only halfway through.' 'Wrote' (past simple) would imply the writing happened in a finished past period.

Q15They ___ a new house, so they are moving in next week.

Answer: B. have bought

'Buy' is an achievement verb, meaning it describes a momentary change of state (the moment ownership is transferred). The present perfect simple 'have bought' indicates the transaction is complete, providing the logical reason for moving. 'Have been buying' would suggest they have been in a repetitive process of purchasing houses, which does not fit the context of moving into one specific home.

Q16He ___ at the bank for twenty years, and he plans to retire there.

Answer: C. has worked

For verbs like 'work' and 'live,' the present perfect simple is often used to describe a permanent or long-term established state. 'Has worked' emphasizes his career as a stable fact. 'Have been working' is plural and does not agree with the singular subject 'He.' 'Is working' only describes his current status and cannot show the twenty-year duration.

Q17She ___ at the bakery temporarily until she finds a better job.

Answer: D. has been working

The present perfect continuous is preferred for emphasizing that a situation is temporary or transient. While 'has worked' might imply a permanent history, 'has been working' highlights that this is a current, ongoing, but likely short-term arrangement. 'Worked' (past simple) would imply she no longer works there.

Q18We ___ in this apartment since 2005; it’s our forever home.

Answer: D. have lived

With the verbs 'live' and 'work,' both the simple and continuous perfect aspects are common. However, the simple aspect 'have lived' is often chosen to emphasize permanence and a long-term state, matching the phrase 'forever home.' 'Have been lived' is an incorrect passive form, and 'live' (present simple) cannot be used with 'since' to show duration.

Q19I ___ in a hotel for the last two weeks while my flat is being renovated.

Answer: C. have been staying

The present perfect continuous is the standard choice for temporary situations currently in progress. The context of the renovation makes the hotel stay a transient event. 'Have stayed' might imply the stay has ended, whereas 'have been staying' focuses on the ongoing nature of this temporary arrangement.

Q20He ___ the company for a decade now.

Answer: B. has run

'Run' in the sense of managing a company is often treated as a continuous state. In formal English, the present perfect simple 'has run' is used to describe this established status over a period. 'Has been run' is passive voice, which would mean someone else was managing 'He.' 'Runs' (present simple) cannot express duration starting from the past.

Q21I ___ the same route to work every day for years.

Answer: C. have taken

For long-term habits and routines that are viewed as a single, unchanging fact over time, the present perfect simple 'have taken' is the standard choice. It connects the past years of the routine to the present. 'Take' is present simple and cannot be used with 'for years' to show duration. 'Am taking' is for current or temporary actions, not a multi-year habit.

Q22She ___ from home lately because of the construction in the office.

Answer: D. has been working

The time marker 'lately' combined with a temporary cause (construction) strongly favors the present perfect continuous. This aspect highlights a recent, ongoing change in her normal work pattern. 'Has worked' focuses more on the fact that the work happened, while 'has been working' emphasizes the continuous nature of this recent trend.

Q23Identify the correct sentence regarding temporary stays:

Answer: A. I have been living in London for two weeks while visiting.

The present perfect continuous is the standard choice to emphasize the transience (the temporary nature) of an action. 'I have been living in London for two weeks while visiting' correctly highlights that the stay is a temporary, ongoing process. Conversely, the present perfect simple is typically used for permanent or lifelong states, such as living somewhere since birth.

Q24They ___ that car for as long as I can remember.

Answer: A. have owned

'Own' is a state/feeling verb—it describes a state of possession rather than an action. state-describing verbs do not usually take the continuous aspect, so 'have been owning' is incorrect. The present perfect simple 'have owned' is required to describe a state of ownership that began in the past and continues to the present.

Q25I ___ this software for a few days to see if I like it.

Answer: A. have been testing

The present perfect continuous is used to describe an ongoing, experimental, and temporary activity. 'Have been testing' emphasizes the process of evaluation. 'Have tested' (simple aspect) would suggest the trial period has already finished, which contradicts the goal of finding out if the speaker 'likes it' (implying the process is still active).

Q26She ___ a professional athlete since she was eighteen.

Answer: B. has been

In this context, 'be' is a state/feeling verb denoting professional status. state-describing verbs do not take the continuous aspect here. To show a continuous state from the past to the present, the present perfect simple 'has been' is correct. 'Has been being' is ungrammatical and redundant in standard English.

Q27We ___ our neighbors for years; they are like family.

Answer: A. have known

'Know' is a state/feeling verb representing a cognitive state (knowledge/acquaintance) and does not take the continuous form. To express the duration of this state up to the present, 'have known' is required. 'Know' is present simple and cannot be used with 'for years' to show duration beginning in the past.

Q28Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: B. I have needed a new laptop for months.

'Need' is a state/feeling verb expressing a requirement. state-describing verbs are excluded from the continuous aspect in standard English, so 'am needing' and 'have been needing' are incorrect. The present perfect simple 'have needed' is the standard way to express a state that has persisted for a specific duration ('for months') up to the present.

Q29He ___ a student at this university for three years now.

Answer: D. has been

When the verb 'be' describes a state of enrollment or status, it uses the simple aspect to show duration. 'Has been' (present perfect simple) links the three-year duration to the current moment. 'Has been being' is a non-standard and incorrect construction for describing a state of enrollment.

Q30I ___ this coat for ages, and it still fits perfectly.

Answer: C. have had

When the verb 'have' means possession, it is a state/feeling verb and cannot be used in the continuous aspect. Therefore, 'have been having' is incorrect. To express a state of ownership that has lasted 'for ages' and continues now, the present perfect simple 'have had' must be used.

Q31In academic writing, researchers often note that they ___ the data for several months.

Answer: C. have been analyzing

The present perfect continuous is used in academic contexts to highlight the duration and labor-intensive nature of an ongoing process, such as data analysis. It emphasizes the continuity of the research effort leading up to the report. 'Analyze' (present simple) fails to show past duration, and 'have analyze' is grammatically incorrect.

Q32The committee ___ the proposal for weeks, but a final decision is pending.

Answer: B. has been reviewing

The present perfect continuous 'has been reviewing' describes a process of deliberation that is still in progress. The phrase 'for weeks' emphasizes the duration of this ongoing activity, while the second clause ('decision is pending') confirms the process is not yet finished. 'Reviewed' (past simple) would imply the process is over.

Q33Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: D. The team has believed the results are accurate.

'Believe' is a state/feeling verb of mental conviction. Like other verbs of thought, it is generally restricted to the simple aspect. 'Has believed' (present perfect simple) correctly expresses a state of belief that has been held for some time and continues. 'Has been believing' is a non-standard use of the progressive aspect for a mental state.

Q34Engineers ___ the structural integrity of the bridge since the earthquake.

Answer: A. have been testing

Testing is an active, ongoing process in this context. The present perfect continuous 'have been testing' emphasizes that the investigations have been consistently happening from the time of the earthquake until now. 'Have tested' would imply the tests are completed, which may not be true in an ongoing safety monitoring scenario.

Q35Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: B. The company has understood the importance of sustainability lately.

'Understand' is a state/feeling verb and is not used in the continuous aspect. The present perfect simple 'has understood' is the correct choice to indicate that a state of awareness has developed recently and continues now. 'Has been understanding' is non-standard for a cognitive state.

Q36Recent studies ___ that sleep patterns affect productivity.

Answer: D. have shown

In academic and scientific contexts, established findings are presented in the present perfect simple ('have shown'), which marks the research as a completed achievement with ongoing relevance. 'Is showing' is a subject-verb agreement error — the plural subject 'studies' requires the plural form 'show' or 'are showing', not the singular 'is showing'. 'Showed' (simple past) lacks current relevance, and 'have been showing' emphasizes ongoing emerging evidence rather than established findings.

Q37The department ___ its policy on remote work for the past quarter.

Answer: C. has been revising

The present perfect continuous 'has been revising' highlights the iterative (repeated) and ongoing nature of the policy-making process during 'the past quarter.' It suggests the work is active and perhaps incomplete. 'Has revised' would suggest the revision process is fully finished and the new policy is now in place.

Q38We ___ this matter for a long time, but we lack sufficient evidence.

Answer: C. have been discussing

The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration and persistence of a communicative activity ('discussing') that has not yet resulted in a conclusion. 'Have been discussing' focuses on the prolonged process, whereas 'have discussed' would treat the discussion more as a completed event or a simple fact.

Q39Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: C. I have wanted to visit the lab for weeks.

'Want' is a state/feeling verb of desire. In standard formal English, state-describing verbs avoid the continuous aspect. Therefore, 'have wanted' (present perfect simple) is the correct form to express a long-standing desire. While 'have been wanting' is common in informal conversation to add emphasis, the simple aspect is the preferred choice in formal grammar tests.

Q40The scientists ___ the samples for hours now to determine the cause of the reaction.

Answer: D. have been examining

The phrase 'for hours now' signals an activity that began in the past and is still continuing at the moment of speaking — the classic context for the present perfect continuous 'have been examining,' which highlights the ongoing process. The simple form 'have examined' would frame the examination as already finished, which conflicts with 'now' showing that the process is still underway.

Q41He ___ for the post of Director for several months.

Answer: B. has been applying

Applying for a high-level position is often a multi-stage process involving interviews and assessments. The present perfect continuous 'has been applying' captures the duration and repeated nature of the steps involved over 'several months.' 'Has applied' would more likely refer to the single act of submitting an application form.

Q42Identify the correct sentence:

Answer: D. The system has belonged to the state for decades.

'Belong' is a state/feeling verb and cannot be used in the continuous aspect, making 'has been belonging' incorrect. To express a state that has lasted for 'decades' and continues to the present, the present perfect simple 'has belonged' is the only correct construction. 'Belongs' (present simple) cannot show duration from the past.

Q43The university ___ its curriculum to meet modern industry standards.

Answer: C. has been updating

The present perfect continuous 'has been updating' reflects an ongoing, progressive institutional process. It emphasizes that the transition is still taking place or has been the focus of recent activity. 'Has updated' would imply the task is fully finished, while 'has been updating' suggests a more dynamic, ongoing effort.

Q44I ___ to contact the professor for two days straight, but she hasn't responded.

Answer: A. have been trying

The phrase 'for two days straight' describes an unbroken effort that began in the past and is still continuing — the classic context for the present perfect continuous 'have been trying,' which highlights the ongoing, repeated attempts. 'Have tried' (simple aspect) would frame the attempts as a finished, completed action, which sits awkwardly next to an effort that is still in progress and unresolved, as shown by 'hasn't responded.'

Q45They ___ their position on the issue since the last meeting.

Answer: B. have maintained

In this context, 'maintain' (holding a position or opinion) acts as a state/feeling verb describing a consistent state. The present perfect simple 'have maintained' is preferred to show that this state has been consistent since the last meeting. 'Has been maintaining' is also incorrect because 'They' is a plural subject and requires 'have'.

Present Perfect Continuous Practice Test — Advanced

What this test covers

All 45 questions with answers