Present Perfect Continuous: Events That Have Just Finished

Each situation shows a visible present result caused by a recent activity. Choose the Present Perfect Continuous or Present Perfect Simple. The visible result and context tell you which to use.

• 1
  She — select —has been cryinghas cried — her eyes are red and puffy.

  Result: red, puffy eyes — the activity of crying left its mark.
• 2
  I'm out of breath — I — select —have been runninghave run.

  Result: breathlessness — the physical evidence of running.
• 3
  Look at the kitchen — she — select —has been cookinghas cooked all afternoon.

  Result: kitchen full of pots, pans, wonderful smells.
• 4
  The ground is wet — it — select —has been raininghas rained.

  Result: wet ground — evidence of recent continuous rain.
• 5
  He's covered in paint — he — select —has been paintinghas painted the living room.

  Result: paint on his clothes and hands.
• 6
  She — select —has been workinghas worked all day — she looks completely exhausted.

  Result: visible exhaustion from sustained effort.
• 7
  My hands are sore — I — select —have been digginghave dug in the garden all morning.

  Result: sore hands from prolonged physical effort.
• 8
  You smell of smoke — — select —have you been smokinghave you smoked?

  Result: smell of smoke — evidence of the recent activity.
• 9
  The children are muddy and tired — they — select —have been playinghave played outside all afternoon.

  Result: mud, tiredness — physical traces of prolonged play.
• 10
  His eyes are red — he — select —has been readinghas read for hours without a break.

  Result: eye strain from continuous reading.

Write the correct Present Perfect Continuous form of the verb in brackets. Each situation describes a recently finished activity whose result or effect is visible right now.

• 1
  He's sweating — he (exercise).
• 2
  The desk is covered in papers — she (sort through) old files.
• 3
  You look exhausted — how long (you / drive)?
• 4
  The house smells of fresh bread — she (bake).
• 5
  My back aches — I (sit) at this desk all day.
• 6
  He has flour on his shirt — he (make) pasta.
• 7
  She can barely speak — she (talk) on the phone for two hours.
• 8
  Their clothes are soaked — they (walk) in the rain.
• 9
  The dog is filthy — it (roll) in the mud.
• 10
  Her fingers are stained with ink — she (write) letters all morning.

Someone comes home to find the house in a state. Fill in each gap with the correct Present Perfect Continuous form to explain each visible result or trace.

Your answers:

Each sentence states a visible result in the present. Write a Present Perfect Continuous sentence using the verb in brackets to explain what has been happening.

• 1
  Result: Her eyes are red and she looks upset. (she / cry)
• 2
  Result: He's covered in grease. (he / work on)
• 3
  Result: The garden looks immaculate. (she / garden)
• 4
  Result: The streets are flooded. (it / rain)
• 5
  Result: My head is aching. (I / stare at)
• 6
  Result: There is sawdust everywhere. (he / cut)
• 7
  Result: She can barely keep her eyes open. (she / study)
• 8
  Result: His voice is hoarse. (he / sing)
• 9
  Result: The children are completely worn out. (they / swim)
• 10
  Result: There are dirty dishes all over the kitchen. (someone / cook)

You can see evidence that something has been happening. Write a Present Perfect Continuous question to find out what the activity was.

• 1
  Your friend's eyes are red. (you / cry)⇒
• 2
  Someone arrives out of breath. (you / run)⇒
• 3
  Someone arrives covered in paint and dust. (What / you / do)⇒
• 4
  The kitchen is a mess and smells of food. (she / cook)⇒
• 5
  Someone smells of cigarettes. (you / smoke)⇒
• 6
  Someone looks impatient and tired. (How long / you / wait)⇒
• 7
  He looks sweaty and red-faced. (he / work out)⇒
• 8
  Two people look angry and upset. (What / they / argue about)⇒
• 9
  Someone has pillow marks on their face. (you / sleep)⇒
• 10
  The streets are wet and puddles are everywhere. (it / rain)⇒