Present Perfect Continuous Tense Exercises

The present perfect continuous tense is used to describe actions that began in the past and are continuing in the present. For a better understanding of the tense, you can practise the present perfect continuous tense exercise. In this guide, you can practise different exercises on the present perfect continuous tense.   

Table of Contents

• What Is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense
• Present Perfect Continuous Tense Exercises with Answers
• Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks
• Exercise 2: Sentence Formation
• Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences
• Exercise 4: Error Correction

What Is the Present Perfect Continuous Tense

The present perfect continuous tense is a type of present tense. It is used to express or describe the actions or events that started in the past and are ongoing in the present. The structure of the present perfect continuous tense is 

Subject + has/have + been + the present participle (-ing form of the verb). 

This tense often works with time expressions such as for, since, lately, and recently to show the duration of an ongoing action.

Present Perfect Continuous Tense Exercises with Answers

Here are some exercises on the present perfect continuous tense with answers. Solving these will help you to understand and learn the concept of the present perfect continuous tense. 

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks using the correct form of the present perfect continuous tense. 

1. She _________ in the library since morning. (study)

2. We _________ the house for the last two hours. (clean)

3. Arjun ____ his handwriting to make it neater. (improve)

4. They _________ for the competition since June. (prepare)

5. I _________ to reach you all day. (try)

6. Meera _________ beautifully for several minutes. (sing)

7. The workers _________ the road since last week. (repair)

8. He _________ about the results for days. (worry)

9. The teacher _________ the same topic for half an hour. (explain)

10. We _________ for the bus since 8 a.m. (wait)

11. She _________ regularly to stay fit. (exercise)

12. The children _________ cartoons for an hour. (watch)

13. I _________ on this project since Monday. (work)

14. They _________ dinner since the evening. (cook)

15. Rahul _________ the guitar for six months. (practise)

16. The baby _________ loudly for some time. (cry)

17. She _________ stories to her sister since bedtime. (tell)

18. We _________ trees in the garden since morning. (plant)

19. He _________ emails for the past hour. (check)

20. The dog _________ continuously at strangers. (bark)

21. I _________ this book since last night. (read)

22. They _________ the problem for weeks. (discuss)

23. She _________ hard to improve her grades. (strive)

24. The team _________ well this season. (perform)

25. We _________ the truth from everyone. (hide)

26. He _________ money for a new bike. (save)

27. The chef _________ a special dish since noon. (prepare)

28. She _________ her skills through practice. (develop)

29. I _________ about this moment for years. (think)

30. They _________ new ideas for the campaign. (explore)

31. The students _________ questions since the lecture began. (raise)

32. Meena _________ classical dance for many years. (learn)

33. We _________ our plans carefully. (consider)

34. She _________ the floor again and again. (sweep)

35. The artist _________ a mural on the wall. (paint)

36. I _________ my mistakes lately. (notice)

37. They _________ help from their neighbour. (request)

38. He _________ faster every day. (run)

39. The birds _________ around the tree since dawn. (circle)

40. She _________ her old friends recently. (miss)

41. We _________ the new recipes this month. (experiment)

42. I _________ positive changes in my routine. (observe)

43. They _________ courage in difficult times. (show)

44. He _________ his room since the afternoon. (arrange)

45. The players _________ their strategy again. (revise)

46. She _________ kindness to everyone. (spread)

47. We _________ our journey since sunrise. (continue)

48. I _________ my goals seriously this year. (pursue)

49. They _________ their culture proudly. (celebrate)

50. He _________ patience throughout the process. (maintain)

Answers: 

1. She has been studying in the library since morning. (study)

2. We have been cleaning the house for the last two hours. (clean)

3. Arjun has been improving his handwriting to make it neater. (improve)

4. They have been preparing for the competition since June. (prepare)

5. I have been trying to reach you all day. (try)

6. Meera has been singing beautifully for several minutes. (sing)

7. The workers have been repairing the road since last week. (repair)

8. He has been worrying about the results for days. (worry)

9. The teacher has been explaining the same topic for half an hour. (explain)

10. We have been waiting for the bus since 8 a.m. (wait)

11. She has been exercising regularly to stay fit. (exercise)

12. The children have been watching cartoons for an hour. (watch)

13. I have been working on this project since Monday. (work)

14. They have been cooking dinner since the evening. (cook)

15. Rahul has been practising the guitar for six months. (practise)

16. The baby has been crying loudly for some time. (cry)

17. She has been telling stories to her sister since bedtime. (tell)

18. We have been planting trees in the garden since morning. (plant)

19. He has been checking emails for the past hour. (check)

20. The dog has been barking continuously at strangers. (bark)

21. I have been reading this book since last night. (read)

22. They have been discussing the problem for weeks. (discuss)

23. She has been striving hard to improve her grades. (strive)

24. The team has been performing well this season. (perform)

25. We have been hiding the truth from everyone. (hide)

26. He has been saving money for a new bike. (save)

27. The chef has been preparing a special dish since noon. (prepare)

28. She has been developing her skills through practice. (develop)

29. I have been thinking about this moment for years. (think)

30. They have been exploring new ideas for the campaign. (explore)

31. The students have been raising questions since the lecture began. (raise)

32. Meena has been learning classical dance for many years. (learn)

33. We have been considering our plans carefully. (consider)

34. She has been sweeping the floor again and again. (sweep)

35. The artist has been painting a mural on the wall. (paint)

36. I have been noticing my mistakes lately. (notice)

37. They have been requesting help from their neighbour. (request)

38. He has been running faster every day. (run)

39. The birds have been circling around the tree since dawn. (circle)

40. She has been missing her old friends recently. (miss)

41. We have been experimenting with new recipes this month. (experiment)

42. I have been observing positive changes in my routine. (observe)

43. They have been showing courage in difficult times. (show)

44. He has been arranging his room since the afternoon. (arrange)

45. The players have been revising their strategy again. (revise)

46. She has been spreading kindness to everyone. (spread)

47. We have been continuing our journey since sunrise. (continue)

48. I have been pursuing my goals seriously this year. (pursue)

49. They have been celebrating their culture proudly. (celebrate)

50. He has been maintaining patience throughout the process. (maintain)
    
    

Exercise 2: Sentence Formation

Read the sentences carefully and convert them into the present perfect continuous tense.

1. She started reading the novel two hours ago, and she is still reading.

2. They began playing chess in the morning, and they are still playing.

3. He started fixing the car yesterday, and he is still fixing it.

4. We began decorating the hall last evening, and we are still decorating it.

5. The baby started crying a few minutes ago and is still crying.

6. I started writing this letter in the afternoon, and I am still writing it.

7. She began practising yoga at dawn, and she is still practising.

8. The boys started building a sandcastle earlier and are still building it.

9. He started painting the fence last week, and he is still painting it.

10. They began rehearsing for the play in June, and they are still rehearsing.

11. We started discussing the plan an hour ago, and we are still discussing it.

12. She began knitting a sweater last month, and she is still knitting it.

13. He started searching for his keys in the morning and is still searching.

14. I began preparing for the exam last night, and I am still preparing.

15. The dog started barking at noon and is still barking.

16. They started travelling across the country last year and are still travelling.

17. She began collecting stamps as a child and is still collecting them.

18. He started training for the marathon in April and is still training.

19. We began organising the files yesterday, and we are still organising them.

20. The teacher started explaining the chapter earlier and is still explaining it.

21. I started learning coding six months ago, and I am still learning.

22. She began designing the dress last week, and she is still designing it.

23. They started cleaning the playground in the morning and are still cleaning it.

24. He began repairing the computer two hours ago and is still repairing it.

25. We started planning the trip in December and are still planning it.

26. The rain started falling at dawn and is still falling.

27. She began drawing the portrait yesterday and is still drawing it.

28. I started saving money last year, and I am still saving.

29. They began planting trees in June and are still planting them.

30. He started composing music last night and is still composing.

31. We began practising the song this morning and are still practising it.

32. She started studying mathematics at 5 PM and is still studying.

33. The children began playing indoors because of the heat and are still playing.

34. He started polishing his shoes earlier and is still polishing them.

35. I began arranging the books an hour ago, and I am still arranging them.

36. They started preparing dinner at seven and are still preparing it.

37. She began learning French in school and is still learning it.

38. He started improving his fitness last month and is still improving it.

39. We began waiting for the results in the morning and are still waiting.

40. The workers started digging the ground yesterday and are still digging.

41. I started practising the piano as a teenager, and I am still practising.

42. She began watering the garden at sunrise and is still watering it.

43. They started developing the project last year and are still developing it.

44. He began observing the stars at night and is still observing them.

45. We started painting the classroom walls this week and are still painting them.

46. The child started learning to speak a few months ago and is still learning.

47. She began preparing notes for the lecture yesterday and is still preparing them.

48. I started exercising regularly in January and am still exercising.

49. They began exploring the forest in the morning and are still exploring it.

50. He started writing his autobiography last year and is still writing it.

Answers: 

1. She has been reading the novel for two hours.

2. They have been playing chess since morning. 

3. He has been fixing the car since yesterday. 

4. We have been decorating the hall since last evening.

5. The baby has been crying for a few minutes.

6. I have been writing this letter since the afternoon.

7. She has been practising yoga since dawn.

8. The boys have been building a sandcastle for a while.

9. He has been painting the fence since last week.

10. They have been rehearsing for the play since June.

11. We have been discussing the plan for an hour.

12. She has been knitting a sweater since last month.

13. He has been searching for his keys since morning.

14. I have been preparing for the exam since last night.

15. The dog has been barking since noon.

16. They have been travelling across the country since last year.

17. She has been collecting stamps since childhood.

18. He has been training for the marathon since April.

19. We have been organising the files since yesterday.

20. We have been practising the song since morning.

21. She has been studying mathematics since 5 PM.

22. The children have been playing indoors because of the heat.

23. He has been polishing his shoes since earlier.

24. I have been arranging the books for an hour.

25. They have been preparing dinner since seven.

26. She has been learning French since her school days.

27. He has been improving his fitness since last month.

28. We have been waiting for the results since morning.

29. The workers have been digging the ground since yesterday.

30. I have been practising the piano since my teenage years.

31. She has been watering the garden since sunrise.

32. They have been developing the project since last year.

33. He has been observing the stars since nightfall.

34. We have been painting the classroom walls for this week.

35. The child has been learning to speak for a few months.

36. She has been preparing notes for the lecture since yesterday.

37. I have been exercising regularly since January.

38. They have been exploring the forest since morning.

39. He has been writing his autobiography since last year.

Exercise 3: Rewrite the Sentences

Read the sentences carefully and rewrite them correctly. Use the present perfect continuous tense. 

1.  I am reading this book for two hours.

2. She is dancing since morning.

3. He is driving for three hours.

4. We are waiting since noon.

5. They are cooking for a long time.

6. She was painting for an hour.

7. He is writing since yesterday.

8. I am learning French since June.

9. They are building a house for months.

10. We are discussing the issue since this morning.

11. She is knitting for two weeks.

12. He is running since 6 AM.

13. I am drawing for half an hour.

14. They are planting trees since last year.

15. We are repairing the road for days.

16. She is practising piano since childhood.

17. He is teaching here for ten years.

18. I am searching for my bag since morning.

19. They are cleaning the room for hours.

20. We are preparing dinner since the evening.

21. She is watering plants for an hour.

22. He is reading newspapers since childhood.

23. I am trying to call you since this morning.

24. They are watching TV for three hours.

25. We are travelling since Monday.

26. She is designing dresses for years.

27. He is fixing the bike since the afternoon.

28. I am collecting coins for many years.

29. They are exploring the city since morning.

30. We are arranging chairs for an hour.

31. She is baking cakes since last night.

32. He is polishing shoes for thirty minutes.

33. I am observing the sky since evening.

34. They are decorating the hall for two days.

35. We are delivering parcels since morning.

36. She is guiding tourists for years.

37. He is measuring the table since noon.

38. I am following this routine for months.

39. They are protecting wildlife since 2010.

40. We are celebrating the festival for a week.

41. She is stitching clothes since morning.

42. He is delivering lectures for years.

43. I am practicing meditation since childhood.

44. They are managing the event for months.

45. We are improving our skills since last year.

46. She is brushing the dog for ten minutes.

47. He is climbing hills since his youth.

48. I am memorising poems for an hour.

49. They are transporting goods since dawn.

50. We are studying grammar for weeks.

Answer: 

1. I have been reading this book for two hours.

2. She has been dancing since morning.

3. He has been driving for three hours.

4. We have been waiting since noon.

5. They have been cooking for a long time.

6. She has been painting for an hour.

7. He has been writing since yesterday.

8. I have been learning French since June.

9. They have been building a house for months.

10. We have been discussing the issue since this morning.

11. She has been knitting for two weeks.

12. He has been running since 6 AM.

13. I have been drawing for half an hour.

14. They have been planting trees since last year.

15. We have been repairing the road for days.

16. She has been practising piano since childhood.

17. He has been teaching here for ten years.

18. I have been searching for my bag since morning.

19. They have been cleaning the room for hours.

20. We have been preparing dinner since the evening.

21. She has been watering plants for an hour.

22. He has been reading newspapers since childhood.

23. I have been trying to call you since this morning.

24. They have been watching TV for three hours.

25. We have been travelling since Monday.

26. She has been designing dresses for years.

27. He has been fixing the bike since the afternoon.

28. I have been collecting coins for many years.

29. They have been exploring the city since morning.

30. We have been arranging chairs for an hour.

31. She has been baking cakes since last night.

32. He has been polishing shoes for thirty minutes.

33. I have been observing the sky since evening.

34. They have been decorating the hall for two days.

35. We have been delivering parcels since morning.

36. She has been guiding tourists for years.

37. He has been measuring the table since noon.

38. I have been following this routine for months.

39. They have been protecting wildlife since 2010.

40. We have been celebrating the festival for a week.

41. She has been stitching clothes since morning.

42. He has been delivering lectures for years.

43. I have been practising meditation since childhood.

44. They have been managing the event for months.

45. We have been improving our skills since last year.

46. She has been brushing the dog for ten minutes.

47. He has been climbing hills since his youth.

48. I have been memorising poems for an hour.

49. They have been transporting goods since dawn.

50. We have been studying grammar for weeks.

Exercise 4: Error Correction

Read the given sentences carefully and identify the errors, and correct them according to the present perfect continuous tense. 

1. I have worked here since five years.

2. She has been ate breakfast for an hour.

3. They has been playing outside.

4. He have been studying since morning.

5. We been waiting for the bus.

6. I has been cleaning my room.

7. She have singing for two hours.

8. He has been write a letter.

9. They have been build a house since June.

10. We has been cooking since evening.

11. I have been slept all day.

12. She has been drink water since morning.

13. He have been drives for hours.

14. They has been talk loudly.

15. We have been read this book since Monday.

16. She has been try understand the lesson since morning

17. She has been teach here since 2020.

18. He have been makes noise.

19. They has been swim in the pool.

20. We have been wrote emails all day.

21. I have been broke the glass all morning.

22. She have been drawing since two hours.

23. He has been catch the ball repeatedly.

24. They been dancing since night.

25. We has been fix the chair.

26. I have been choose a new dress.

27. She has been drive since noon.

28. He have been eat junk food lately.

29. They has been done their homework since morning.

30. We have been give gifts since morning.

31. I has been hold this bag for long.

32. She have been keep secrets.

33. They have been wait at the station for an hour.

34. They been laugh continuously.

35. We has been lose the match repeatedly.

36. I have been make a cake since evening.

37. She has been meet her friend daily.

38. He have been pay the bills regularly.

39. They has been put the books away.

40. We have been ride bicycles since dawn.

41. I has been send messages all morning.

42. She have been shut the door again.

43. He has been sit here for hours.

44. They been spend money carelessly.

45. We has been stand outside since noon.

46. I have been take notes since class began.

47. She has been tell stories for hours.

48. He have been think about the plan.

49. They has been throw stones in the lake.

50. We have been win matches since last year.

Answers: 

1. I have been working here for five years.

2. She has been eating breakfast for an hour.

3. They have been playing outside.

4. He has been studying since morning.

5. We have been waiting for the bus.

6. I have been cleaning my room.

7. She has been singing for two hours.

8. He has been writing a letter.

9. They have been building a house since June.

10. We have been cooking since the evening.

11. I have been sleeping all day.

12. She has been drinking water since morning.

13. He has been driving for hours.

14. They have been talking loudly.

15. We have been reading this book since Monday.

16. She has been trying to understand the lesson since morning.

17. She has been teaching here since 2020.

18. He has been making noise.

19. They have been swimming in the pool.

20. We have been writing emails all day.

21. I have been breaking the glass all morning.

22. She has been drawing for two hours.

23. He has been catching the ball repeatedly.

24. They have been dancing all night.

25. We have been fixing the chair.

26. I have been choosing a new dress.

27. She has been driving since noon.

28. He has been eating junk food lately.

29. They have been doing their homework since morning.

30. We have been giving gifts since morning.

31. I have been holding this bag for a long time.

32. She has been keeping secrets.

33. They have been waiting at the station for an hour.

34. They have been laughing continuously.

35. We have been losing the match repeatedly.

36. I have been making a cake since the evening.

37. She has been meeting her friend daily.

38. He has been paying the bills regularly.

39. They have been putting the books away.

40. We have been riding bicycles since dawn.

41. I have been sending messages all morning.

42. She has been shutting the door again.

43. He has been sitting here for hours.

44. They have been spending money carelessly.

45. We have been standing outside since noon.

46. I have been taking notes since class began.

47. She has been telling stories for hours.

48. He has been thinking about the plan.

49. They have been throwing stones in the lake.

50. We have been winning matches since last year.