Present Perfect

Grammar Reference

Present Perfect — Exercises

Simple or Continuous?

Choose the correct form. Think about whether you need a result or a duration.

1. I have waited / have been waiting for my boarding pass for twenty minutes.
   (have been waiting / have waited) 
2. She has revised / has been revising three chapters so far today.
   (has revised / has been revising) 
3. They have downloaded / have been downloading the app but it is not working.
   (have downloaded / have been downloading) 
4. The team has recycled / has been recycling waste for the past month as part of an eco-friendly initiative.
   (has been recycling / has recycled) 
5. I have never visited / have never been visiting a tourist attraction abroad without checking reviews first.
   (have never visited / have never been visiting) 
6. He has competed / has been competing in three championships this season.
   (has competed / has been competing) 
7. The school has just published / has just been publishing the new curriculum.
   (has just published / has just been publishing) 
8. She looks exhausted — she has trained / has been training all morning.
   (has been training / has trained) 

Since or For?

Type since or for.

1. He has been studying Spanish two years.
   
2. We have known each other we were at university.
   
3. She has been working as a freelance journalist 2021.
   
4. They have not gone on holiday ages.
   
5. The carbon footprint of this company has been falling the last three years.
   
6. I have had this device I got it as a birthday present.
   
7. The team has been training six weeks for the championship.
   

Complete with the correct form

Use the verb in brackets in the Present Perfect Simple or Continuous.

1. I (make) progress with my revision this week — I feel more confident now.
   
2. How long (you / get on) with your new flatmate?
   
3. The government (invest) in renewable energy since 2015.
   
4. She (already / hand in) her assignment — she finished at midnight.
   
5. The athletes (compete) in four events so far today.
   
6. He looks pale — he (not / go) outside for days.
   
7. I (ever / visit) Patagonia? It sounds incredible.
   
8. Scientists (study) the effects of deforestation for decades.
   
9. She (not / check in) yet — the desk is still open.
   
10. We (take up) cycling since buying our new bikes.
    

Find and correct the mistakes

Each sentence has one mistake. Write the corrected form.

1. I lived in this city since I was a child.
   
2. She has been visiting six countries last year.
   
3. Have you ever been going on a guided tour?
   
4. He has been knowing her for years.
   
5. They have already finish the research.
   

Exercise 5 — Error Correction

1. Find and correct the ONE error: "I have seen that film last year."
   
2. Find and correct the ONE error: "She has live in this city for ten years."
   
3. Find and correct the ONE error: "Have you ever went to Japan?"
   
4. Find and correct the ONE error: "They have just finished their homeworks."
   

Present Perfect — Answer Key

Simple or Continuous?

1. have been waiting
2. has revised
3. have downloaded
4. has been recycling
5. have never visited
6. has competed
7. has just published
8. has been training

Since or For?

1. for
2. since
3. since
4. for
5. for
6. since
7. for

Complete with the correct form

1. have made
2. have you been getting on
3. has been investing
4. has already handed in
5. have competed
6. hasn't gone
7. Have you ever visited
8. have been studying
9. hasn't checked in
10. have taken up

Find and correct the mistakes

1. have lived
2. has visited
3. Have you ever been on
4. has known
5. have already finished

Exercise 5 — Error Correction

1. —
2. —
3. —
4. —