English Grammar Exercises for B1- Present perfect continuous

1. Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

1   ……………………………… football all day. (Jim / play)

2   How long ……………………………… for me? (you / wait)

3   They’re tired because ……………………………… early all this week. (they / get up)

4   ……………………………… , so his throat hurts. (Jamie / shout)

5   ……………………………… , so you don’t know what to do. (you / not listen)

6   ……………………………… since she got home. (Tracy / study)

7   How long ……………………………… professionally? (you / cycle)

8   Sam isn’t very fit because ……………………………… to the gym this year. (he / not go)

2. Match sentences 1-8 in exercise 1 with the uses of the present perfect continuous a and b.

a   An action that began in the past and is still in progress.

     ………….. ………….. ………….. …………..

b   An action that has recently stopped and that explains the present situation.

     ………….. ………….. ………….. …………..

3. Complete the sentences with for or since.

1   they’ve been doing their homework ……………… an hour.

2   He’s been supporting his local football team ……………… they were promoted to the premier league.

3   She’s been playing for England ……………… ten years.

4   I’ve been studying German ……………… six months.

5   We’ve been skiing ……………… we were children.

6   I’ve been sneezing a lot ……………… yesterday.

4. Choose the correct answer.

1   Simon can’t walk because he’s broken / he’s been breaking his leg.

2   You’re late! What have you done / have you been doing?

3   I’ve read / I’ve been reading the biography of Rafael Nadal, but I’m only on page 57.

4   How often have they offered / have they been offering to help with the washing up?

5   She’s liked / She’s been liking reggae since she went to Jamaica.

6   I’ve sold / I’ve been selling five of my DVDs, but I didn’t get much money for them.

7   How long have you designed / have you been designing computer programs?

8   How many films has Matt seen / has Matt been seeing this week?

5. Complete the text with the present perfect simple or the present perfect continuous form of the verbs in brackets.

My brother is very happy this morning because he 1…………………… (lose) another kilo. He 2…………………… (be) on a diet for the last two months, so he 3…………………… (stop) eating bread completely. He 4…………………… (eat) more healthily which means no cakes, biscuits, or fizzy drinks. Instead, my mum 5…………………… (give) him fresh fruit every day for snacks. Since he started his diet, my parents 6…………………… (cook) healthy meals all the time, as well. Personally, I would prefer chips!