Basics. Present Perfect Continuous: Duration and Evidence: correct answers
Jump to answers ↓Present Perfect Continuous: Duration and Evidence
The present perfect continuous tense connects the past to the present, focusing on actions that started in the past and are still continuing, or have just recently stopped. You can use it to emphasize the duration of an ongoing action ("I have been studying for three hours") or to explain present evidence of a recent activity ("Your shoes are muddy; have you been working in the garden?").
In this challenge, you will help detectives interrogate messy suspects, complete frustrated text messages from roommates, and review tired students' study notes. You'll practice using the present perfect continuous to express the duration of ongoing actions, describe incomplete tasks, and explain visible evidence of recent activities.
You will work through 12 questions in a mix of single-choice, multi-choice, drop-down, and drag-and-drop formats.
Try the quiz to check your knowledge!
Correct answers
Question 1
Complete the tired student's complaint to their study group.
I __________ this essay since 8 AM, and I still haven't finished the introduction! My brain is officially on strike.
The correct answer is have been writing.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to emphasize the ongoing, continuous nature of an action that started in the past and is not yet finished.
"Have written" (Present Perfect Simple) would imply the action is complete or focus on the quantity produced, which contradicts "haven't finished". "Am writing" (Present Continuous) cannot be used with "since 8 AM".
Question 2
The correct answers are have been trying and have been watching.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous (has/have + been + verb-ing) to talk about actions that started in the past and are still continuing right now.
Words like for (for three hours) and all morning are strong clues that emphasize the length of time an ongoing activity has lasted!
Question 3
Complete the frustrated roommate's text message.
You __________ in the shower for forty-five minutes! Are you trying to wash away your sins, or just all the hot water?
The correct answer is have been singing.
We use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) to talk about an action that started in the past and is still continuing right now, especially when we mention how long it has been happening (using "for" or "since").
"Are singing" (Present Continuous) is incorrect because it doesn't account for the duration ("for forty-five minutes").
Question 4
The correct answers are has been painting and has been running.
The Present Perfect Continuous is perfect for describing an action that has just recently stopped (or is still happening) and has visible results in the present.
The dripping paint is evidence of recent painting, and being out of breath is evidence of recent running!
Question 5
Help the detective confront the messy suspect by choosing the correct verb tense.
Your clothes are covered in flour and you look exhausted. What exactly __________ in the kitchen for the last three hours?
The correct answer is have you been baking.
The Present Perfect Continuous is perfect for this situation! It describes an action that has been happening over a period of time up until recently, and has left visible evidence or results in the present (the flour on the clothes and the exhaustion). The phrase "for the last three hours" confirms the need for a perfect tense.
Question 6
Help the eccentric gardener finish his blog post by dragging the right verb forms into the text.
"My prize-winning tomato plant has been growing at an alarming rate lately. To be completely honest, I have been worrying that it might take over the entire yard by next week!"
My prize-winning tomato plant has been growing at an alarming rate lately.
The keyword "lately" is a strong signal for the present perfect continuous, showing a trend or ongoing action that started recently and is still happening.
To be completely honest, I have been worrying that it might take over...
The present perfect continuous can be used with mental states like "worry" or "think" when we want to emphasize that the feeling is an ongoing, developing process leading up to right now.
Question 7
The correct answers are has been playing and has been sitting.
The Present Perfect Continuous highlights the ongoing nature of an action.
We often use it with since to show when the action started (since breakfast) and with for to show the duration of the action (for six hours). Using the simple present ("is playing") would ignore the fact that the action started in the past.
Question 8
The correct answers are I have been studying for my biology exam for three hours. and I've been reading this same chapter since 2 PM.
Use the Present Perfect Continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) for actions that started in the past and are still continuing.
"I have been knowing" is incorrect because know is a stative verb (it describes a state, not an action) and is rarely used in continuous tenses. We should say "I have known."
"I am studying... since morning" is incorrect because the Present Continuous cannot be used with since to show duration; you must use a perfect tense.
Question 9
Help the detective complete her interview notes by dragging the correct verb forms into the gaps.
"You look absolutely exhausted, and your shoes are covered in fresh mud. What exactly have you been doing all morning? I know for a fact that you haven't been sleeping, because your bed is perfectly made!"
What exactly have you been doing all morning?
We use the present perfect continuous (have/has been + verb-ing) to ask about a recent, ongoing activity that has a visible result in the present (like looking exhausted and having muddy shoes).
I know for a fact that you haven't been sleeping...
The present perfect continuous emphasizes the duration of an ongoing action (or in this case, a non-action) leading up to the present moment.
Question 10
The correct answers are Have you been playing your drums again? and What have you been doing in the garage all afternoon?
To form a question in the Present Perfect Continuous, invert the subject and the first auxiliary verb: Have/Has + Subject + been + verb-ing?
"How long have you been practiced" is incorrect because it uses the past participle (practiced) instead of the present participle (practicing).
"Has you been making" is incorrect because the pronoun you always takes the plural auxiliary verb have, never has.
Question 11
Complete the frustrated roommate's sticky note by dragging the correct phrases into the blanks.
"I have been washing the dishes for three weeks straight! Meanwhile, you have been playing video games on the couch since you woke up. It is time to buy a dishwasher!"
I have been washing the dishes for three weeks straight!
The present perfect continuous is the best choice here to emphasize the ongoing, continuous nature of an action that started in the past and is still happening now. The phrase "for three weeks straight" highlights the duration.
Meanwhile, you have been playing video games on the couch since you woke up.
We use the present perfect continuous with "since" to show an action that began at a specific point in the past ("since you woke up") and is still continuing.
Question 12
The correct answers are The suspect has been sitting at the corner table since noon. and He has been drinking the same cup of coffee for two hours.
The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with Subject + have/has + been + verb-ing.
"He has being reading" is incorrect because the auxiliary verb must be been, not being.
"He has been waited" is incorrect because it uses the past participle (waited) instead of the present participle (waiting). Additionally, we use for (not since) with a duration of time like "a long time."