Present Perfect Continuous Practice Test — Intermediate

All 45 questions with answers

Pick an answer for each question to see if you are right, with the explanation. Submit when you are done; you can submit before answering them all.

1. Q1I ___ the house all morning, so I am very tired now.

   Ahave been cleaning Bwas cleaning Cclean Dhave cleaned

   Answer: A. have been cleaning

   The Present Perfect Continuous is used to emphasize the duration of an activity that has a present result (feeling tired). The time expression 'all morning' is a clear clue for this continuous tense.

2. Q2I ___ the house, so it is finally clean.

   Ahave cleaned Bhave been cleaned Cwas cleaning Dclean

   Answer: A. have cleaned

   Use the Present Perfect Simple for an action that is finished and has a visible result. Here, the focus is on the completion ('finally clean'), not the time spent doing it.

3. Q3She ___ for her exams all week, but she still has more to study.

   Astudied Bstudies Chas study Dhas been studying

   Answer: D. has been studying

   The Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes an ongoing, unfinished process. The context 'still has more to study' confirms the action is not yet complete.

4. Q4Choose the correct sentence:

   AI am finishing my report all day. BI have been finishing my report. CI have finished my report. DI have been finished my report.

   Answer: C. I have finished my report.

   Finishing a report is usually seen as a single completed event. We use the Present Perfect Simple for finished actions. 'I have been finishing' is rarely used as 'finish' is a moment, not a duration.

5. Q5Identify the incorrect sentence:

   AI have been waiting for the bus for 20 minutes. BThey have been eating lunch for an hour. CHe has been fixed the car all day. DShe has been reading that book since 8 AM.

   Answer: C. He has been fixed the car all day.

   The sentence 'He has been fixed' is incorrect because it uses a passive construction. To show an ongoing action, we need the active -ing form: 'He has been fixing'.

6. Q6I ___ the entire novel. It was a great story.

   Ahave read Bam reading Chas read Dhave been reading

   Answer: A. have read

   The phrase 'the entire novel' implies the action is finished. The Present Perfect Simple is used for completed actions where the result or quantity is the focus.

7. Q7We ___ a movie for two hours, and we are still watching it.

   Ahave been watching Bwatch Cwere watching Dhave watched

   Answer: A. have been watching

   The context 'still watching' and the duration 'for two hours' signal an unfinished action continuing into the present. This requires the Present Perfect Continuous.

8. Q8My hands are cold because I ___ in the snow without gloves.

   Aplay Bhave been playing Chave play Dwas playing

   Answer: B. have been playing

   We use the Present Perfect Continuous for a recently finished activity that has a physical effect or result in the present (cold hands).

9. Q9Choose the correct sentence:

   AI have write a letter to my friend. BI have been writing a letter, but I haven't finished. CI am write a letter for hours. DI have been written a letter to my friend.

   Answer: B. I have been writing a letter, but I haven't finished.

   The Present Perfect Continuous is the best choice for describing an ongoing activity that is not yet completed, as indicated by 'haven't finished'.

10. Q10Choose the correct sentence:

    AI have read for ten pages. BI have been read ten pages. CI have been reading for ten pages today. DI have read ten pages today.

    Answer: D. I have read ten pages today.

    When we mention a specific number or quantity (like 'ten pages'), we use the Present Perfect Simple. The Continuous form focuses on the action, while the Simple form focuses on the amount achieved.

11. Q11I ___ my keys. Have you seen them anywhere?

    Alose Bam losing Chave lost Dhave been losing

    Answer: C. have lost

    Losing keys is a sudden, completed event with a present result. The Present Perfect Simple is used for completed actions, whereas the Continuous form would imply the process of losing them is ongoing.

12. Q12She ___ a new language, but she hasn't mastered it yet.

    Ahas been learning Blearns Cwas learning Dhas learned

    Answer: A. has been learning

    Learning is a long-term process. Because she 'hasn't mastered it yet', the Present Perfect Continuous is used to emphasize the ongoing nature of a task that started in the past and continues to the present. 'Was learning' (Past Continuous) would imply she has stopped learning, which contradicts the present result shown by 'hasn't mastered it yet'.

13. Q13I ___ to call you all day, but the line is busy.

    Atry Bwas trying Chas been trying Dhave been trying

    Answer: D. have been trying

    The Present Perfect Continuous ('have been trying') emphasizes an activity that started in the past and continues to the present. The phrase 'all day' shows the duration, and 'the line is busy' shows the present relevance — the situation is ongoing. 'Was trying' would imply a completed past action, which contradicts the present state 'is busy'.

14. Q14I ___ three emails this morning, so I am done now.

    Awrite Bhas written Chave been write Dhave written

    Answer: D. have written

    We use the Present Perfect Simple to talk about a completed quantity ('three emails'). The phrase 'I am done now' confirms the action is finished.

15. Q15Correct the error: 'He has been paint the fence for two hours.'

    AHe is paint the fence for two hours. BHe has been painted the fence for two hours. CHe has paint the fence for two hours. DHe has been painting the fence for two hours.

    Answer: D. He has been painting the fence for two hours.

    The Present Perfect Continuous structure is: have/has + been + -ing. The verb 'paint' must be in the form 'painting'.

16. Q16We ___ the project, so we can finally relax.

    Aare finishing Bfinish Chave finished Dhave been finishing

    Answer: C. have finished

    Completing a task is a finished action with a result (being able to relax). This requires the Present Perfect Simple. 'Have been finishing' would suggest the process is still going on.

17. Q17I ___ emails all morning, and I am still not finished.

    Ahave been writing Bwrite Chave written Dwrote

    Answer: A. have been writing

    The focus here is on the duration of the activity ('all morning') and the fact that it is not yet complete. This is the primary function of the Present Perfect Continuous.

18. Q18She ___ five miles today, so she is exhausted.

    Aruns Bhas run Chave run Dhas been run

    Answer: B. has run

    When a sentence states a specific quantity or distance ('five miles'), the Present Perfect Simple is used to show the total amount completed.

19. Q19She ___ for hours, and she is exhausted.

    Ahas ran Bran Cruns Dhas been running

    Answer: D. has been running

    This sentence emphasizes the duration of the activity ('for hours') as the cause of her current state (exhaustion). This requires the Present Perfect Continuous.

20. Q20Choose the correct sentence:

    AI have been read ten pages. BI have read ten pages today. CI have read for ten pages. DI have been reading for ten pages today.

    Answer: B. I have read ten pages today.

    We use the Present Perfect Simple to state a completed amount or number ('ten pages'). The other options contain grammatical errors in the verb forms.

21. Q21How many cakes ___ you ___ today for the party?

    Aare / baking Bhas / baked Chave / baked Dhave / baking

    Answer: C. have / baked

    Questions starting with 'How many' focus on the quantity or the result of an action. Therefore, we use the Present Perfect Simple ('have baked').

22. Q22How long ___ you ___ today?

    Ahave / been baking Bdid / bake Chave / baked Dare / baking

    Answer: A. have / been baking

    Questions starting with 'How long' focus on duration. The Present Perfect Continuous is the standard tense for asking about the length of an ongoing activity.

23. Q23He ___ two books this month, so he has met his goal.

    Areads Bis reading Chave been reading Dhas read

    Answer: D. has read

    Mentioning a specific number ('two books') means the focus is on the completed total. We use the Present Perfect Simple to show this achievement.

24. Q24He ___ all month, and he is still reading.

    Ahas been reading Bhave read Creads Dis reading

    Answer: A. has been reading

    The phrase 'all month' focuses on duration, and 'still reading' indicates the action is ongoing. These are classic markers for the Present Perfect Continuous.

25. Q25Correct the error: 'I have been eating three sandwiches.'

    AI have eaten three sandwiches. BI have been eaten three sandwiches. CI have been eat three sandwiches. DI have eat three sandwiches.

    Answer: A. I have eaten three sandwiches.

    When we state a specific number of completed items ('three sandwiches'), we must use the Present Perfect Simple. The Continuous form focuses on the process, not the count.

26. Q26They ___ for years, and they are finally ready.

    Ahad been planning this Bhave been plan this Chave been planned this Dhave been planning this

    Answer: D. have been planning this

    The Present Perfect Continuous ('have been planning this') emphasizes an activity ongoing for a long duration up to the present. 'Had been planning this' is the Past Perfect Continuous, which requires a past reference point — not a current duration. 'Have been plan' and 'have been planned' are grammatically incorrect forms.

27. Q27They ___ the wedding, and everything is now ready.

    Ahave been planning Bhave been plan Chave planned Dhave plan

    Answer: C. have planned

    The result 'everything is now ready' implies that the action of planning is complete. The Present Perfect Simple is used for finished actions with a present result.

28. Q28I ___ my homework, so I can go out now.

    Ahave been doing Bdo Chas done Dhave done

    Answer: D. have done

    Being able to 'go out now' suggests that the homework is finished. We use the Present Perfect Simple ('have done') for completed tasks.

29. Q29I ___ my homework for two hours.

    Ahas been doing Bdo Chave been doing Dhave done

    Answer: C. have been doing

    The focus is on the duration of the work ('for two hours'), which is why the Present Perfect Continuous is used.

30. Q30Choose the correct sentence:

    AHow long have you called me? BHow many times have you been call me? CHow many times have you been calling me? DHow many times have you called me?

    Answer: D. How many times have you called me?

    We use the Present Perfect Simple when asking about frequency or 'how many times' an action has occurred. The Continuous form is used for 'how long'.

31. Q31I ___ her since we were children.

    Ahave been knowing Bam knowing Chave known Dknow

    Answer: C. have known

    'Know' is a state/feeling verb (describing a state, not an action). state-describing verbs are not used in continuous forms. We use the Present Perfect Simple to describe a state that started in the past and continues now.

32. Q32He ___ that car for five years.

    Ais owning Bowns Chas owned Dhas been owning

    Answer: C. has owned

    'Own' is a state/feeling verb. Even when describing a duration ('for five years'), we cannot use the continuous form. The Present Perfect Simple is correct.

33. Q33Choose the correct sentence:

    AI have been believe in ghosts. BI have been believing in ghosts for years. CI have believed in ghosts for years. DI believe in ghosts for years.

    Answer: C. I have believed in ghosts for years.

    'Believe' is a state/feeling verb and does not take the continuous -ing form. To describe a belief held over a period of time, use the Present Perfect Simple.

34. Q34We ___ this house for a long time.

    Ahave been want Bwant Care wanting Dhave wanted

    Answer: D. have wanted

    'Want' is a state/feeling verb. In standard English, we use the Present Perfect Simple to describe desires that have lasted for a duration.

35. Q35Correct the error: 'They have been liking this band for years.'

    AThey are liking this band for years. BThey have liked this band for years. CThey have been like this band for years. DThey have like this band for years.

    Answer: B. They have liked this band for years.

    'Like' is a state/feeling verb used for emotions. Because it describes a state rather than an action, it cannot be continuous. 'Have liked' is the correct Simple form.

36. Q36She ___ this topic for weeks.

    Ahas been understanding Bunderstands Cis understanding Dhas understood

    Answer: D. has understood

    'Understand' is a state/feeling verb related to a mental state. Even though the state has lasted 'for weeks', the Present Perfect Simple is required.

37. Q37I ___ this book for three days.

    Ahave been having Bhave Chave had Dam having

    Answer: C. have had

    When 'have' means possession, it is a state/feeling verb and cannot be continuous. 'Have had' is the Present Perfect Simple form used to show possession over a period of time.

38. Q38They ___ here since 2010.

    Ahave belonged Bbelong Chave been belonging Dare belonging

    Answer: A. have belonged

    'Belong' is a state/feeling verb. It describes a state of being, so the Present Perfect Simple is used to talk about the duration of that state.

39. Q39Choose the correct sentence:

    AI have been need some help. BI have needed some help for. CI have needed some help. DI have been needing some help.

    Answer: C. I have needed some help.

    'Need' is a state/feeling verb. We use the Present Perfect Simple to show a requirement that has existed up to the present moment.

40. Q40He ___ sad to everyone around him for a long time.

    Ahas been seeming Bis seeming Cseems Dhas seemed

    Answer: D. has seemed

    'Seem' is a state/feeling verb. It is used to describe an appearance or impression, which does not take the continuous form. The Present Perfect Simple 'has seemed' is the correct choice for a state that began in the past and continues to the present.

41. Q41I ___ this for ages.

    Ahave preferred Bhave been preferring Cprefer Dam preferring

    Answer: A. have preferred

    'Prefer' is a state/feeling verb expressing a preference. It does not use the continuous -ing form, so 'have preferred' is the correct way to show a long-term preference.

42. Q42Correct the error: 'She has been remembering the answer since the start.'

    AShe has remember the answer since the start. BShe has remembered the answer since the start. CShe remembers the answer since the start. DShe has been remember the answer since the start.

    Answer: B. She has remembered the answer since the start.

    'Remember' is a state/feeling verb. We use the Present Perfect Simple for states that started in the past and continue to the present, especially with 'since' and 'for'.

43. Q43We ___ each other for a decade.

    Ahave been loving Bare loving Clove Dhave loved

    Answer: D. have loved

    'Love' is a state/feeling verb describing an emotion. These verbs are not typically used in the continuous form in standard English. The Present Perfect Simple 'have loved' is used for long-term feelings.

44. Q44I ___ this shirt for years.

    Ahave possessed Bpossess Cam possessing Dhave been possess

    Answer: A. have possessed

    'Possess' is a state/feeling verb meaning 'to own'. It cannot be used in a continuous tense. The Present Perfect Simple 'have possessed' correctly describes ongoing ownership.

45. Q45Choose the best sentence:

    AI have been hating this weather for weeks. BI hate this weather for weeks. CI have hated this weather for weeks. DI have been hate this weather for weeks.

    Answer: C. I have hated this weather for weeks.

    'Hate' is a state/feeling verb expressing a strong feeling. Since state-describing verbs usually avoid the continuous form, the Present Perfect Simple 'have hated' is the standard choice.