(Present Perfect Continuous) Choose the correct verb from the list below to complete the following sentences. Put the verb in the present perfect progressive tense. talk / look / lift / work / wait / feel / rain / deliver / shop / cry / plan / read / drive / study / sit / watch 1.Maria at the coffee shop for her boyfriend for the past half hour, but he still hasn t arrived. 2. The students Spanish since the semester began. 3. I on this report for the past two days. 4. You should take your umbrella when you go out. It all day. 5. The children television all evening. 6. John s back hurts. He heavy boxes all morning. 7.The students in the classroom for 20 minutes, but the teacher hasn t come yet. 8. The girls on the telephone for over an hour. 9. Frank the same car for almost twenty years. 10. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are very excited about going to China next summer. They this trip for over a year. 11. That mailman the mail in our neighborhood for nearly twentyfive years. He is going to retire soon. 12. Rita and Carly are at the mall. They since the stores opened this morning. 13. My eyes are getting tired. I all day. 14. Bill hopes to find a new job soon. He in the paper and on the Internet every day for the past month. 15. Andrea is planning to call the doctor this afternoon. She sick for several days. 16. Claire s eyes are all red. She all morning.
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action that started in the past (Maria waiting) and is still happening at the present moment (he still hasn't arrived). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
2. The students have been studying Spanish since the semester began. (study)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action that started in the past (the semester began) and is still happening at the present moment (the students studying Spanish). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
3. I have been working on this report for the past two days. (work)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action that started in the past (working on the report) and is still happening at the present moment (for the past two days). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
4. You should take your umbrella when you go out. It has been raining all day. (rain)
Explanation: The sentence is describing a past action (raining) that has an impact on the present moment (you should take your umbrella when you go out). We use the present perfect progressive tense to indicate the duration of the action (all day).
5. The children have been watching television all evening. (watch)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (watching television) that started in the past (all evening) and is still happening at the present moment. We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
6. John's back hurts. He has been lifting heavy boxes all morning. (lift)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (lifting heavy boxes) that started in the past (all morning) and is still having an effect in the present moment (John's back hurts). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
7. The students have been sitting in the classroom for 20 minutes, but the teacher hasn't come yet. (sit)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (sitting in the classroom) that started in the past (for 20 minutes) and is still happening at the present moment (the teacher hasn't come yet). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
8. The girls have been talking on the telephone for over an hour. (talk)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (talking on the telephone) that started in the past (for over an hour) and is still happening at the present moment. We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
9. Frank has been driving the same car for almost twenty years. (drive)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (driving the same car) that started in the past (for almost twenty years) and is still happening at the present moment (Frank still drives the same car). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
10. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are very excited about going to China next summer. They have been planning this trip for over a year. (plan)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (planning this trip) that started in the past (for over a year) and is still happening at the present moment (Mr. and Mrs. Barnes are still excited about going to China next summer). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
11. That mailman has been delivering the mail in our neighborhood for nearly twenty-five years. He is going to retire soon. (deliver)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (delivering the mail in our neighborhood) that started in the past (for nearly twenty-five years) and is still happening at the present moment (the mailman is still delivering the mail). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
12. Rita and Carly are at the mall. They have been shopping since the stores opened this morning. (shop)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (shopping) that started in the past (since the stores opened this morning) and is still happening at the present moment (Rita and Carly are still at the mall). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
13. My eyes are getting tired. I have been reading all day. (read)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (reading) that started in the past (all day) and is still happening at the present moment (my eyes are getting tired). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
14. Bill hopes to find a new job soon. He has been looking in the paper and on the Internet every day for the past month. (look)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (looking in the paper and on the Internet) that started in the past (every day for the past month) and is still happening at the present moment. We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
15. Andrea is planning to call the doctor this afternoon. She has been feeling sick for several days. (feel)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (feeling sick) that started in the past (for several days) and is still happening at the present moment (Andrea is planning to call the doctor). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.
16. Claire's eyes are all red. She has been crying all morning. (cry)
Explanation: The sentence is describing an action (crying) that started in the past (all morning) and is still having an effect in the present moment (Claire's eyes are all red). We use the present perfect progressive tense to show that the action started in the past and is continuing in the present.