Which one should I use?
Use the present continuous for actions happening now. Use the present perfect continuous for actions that started before now and are still continuing, or have a visible result now.
I am eating now.
I have been eating for ten minutes.
She is studying now.
She has been studying since morning.
Ask: happening now, or continuing until now?
Happening now?I am cleaning my room.Use present continuous.
Started earlier and still going?I have been cleaning for an hour.Use present perfect continuous.
Visible result now?She is tired because she has been running.Use present perfect continuous.
Use it for actions in progress.
NowAli is reading now.The action is happening.
TemporaryMaha is staying with her aunt this week.Not always.
ChangingThe weather is getting hotter.Changing around now.
Use it for actions continuing until now.
Duration until nowI have been waiting for ten minutes.Started earlier, still waiting.
Since a starting pointShe has been studying since 8 o'clock.Started at 8, continues now.
Result nowThey are wet because they have been swimming.Action explains the present result.
Time words can help.
Present continuous cluesnow, right now, at the moment, today, this weekAction in progress or temporary.
Present perfect continuous cluesfor, since, all day, all morning, lately, recentlyDuration or repeated activity until now.
Think meaning“Now” means in progress.
“For two hours” shows duration until now.Meaning matters most.
“For two hours” shows duration until now.Meaning matters most.
Present continuous forms.
AffirmativeI am working.
She is reading.
They are playing.am/is/are + ing
She is reading.
They are playing.am/is/are + ing
NegativeI am not working.
She isn't reading.
They aren't playing.not after am/is/are
She isn't reading.
They aren't playing.not after am/is/are
QuestionAre you working?
Is Sara reading?Move am/is/are first.
Is Sara reading?Move am/is/are first.
Present perfect continuous forms.
AffirmativeI have been working.
She has been reading.has/have been + ing
She has been reading.has/have been + ing
NegativeI haven't been working.
She hasn't been reading.not after has/have
She hasn't been reading.not after has/have
QuestionHave you been working?
Has Sara been reading?Move has/have first.
Has Sara been reading?Move has/have first.
Same verb, different meaning.
I am doing my homework.I am working on it now.In progress now.
I have been doing homework for an hour.I started an hour ago and I am still doing it.Duration until now.
Why?Am doing = now.
Have been doing = started earlier and continues.Choose from meaning.
Have been doing = started earlier and continues.Choose from meaning.
Do not mix the forms.
CorrectShe is writing now.Present continuous.
CorrectShe has been writing for an hour.Present perfect continuous.
Not correctShe has writing.
She is been writing.Use has been + ing.
She is been writing.Use has been + ing.
Choose the correct form.
Maha ___ her room right now.
Choose the correct form.
Ali ___ his room for two hours.
Choose the correct question.
___ you been waiting long?
Which sentence fits “now”?
Choose the best sentence.
Which sentence shows duration until now?
Choose the best sentence.
Fill five blanks.
Choose present continuous or present perfect continuous. Think about why.
Look! It outside.
I for two hours.
My friends at the door now.
Omar since morning.
The baby well lately.
Mixed question types of 5
Answer all five. Then tap Finish test to see your result sheet.
1. Sentence completion
Listen! Sara ___ a song.
2. MCQ
Which sentence shows duration until now?
3. Type the answer
___ they been playing long?
4. Type the answer
Right now, Ali ___ football.
5. MCQ
Which sentence explains why she is tired now?
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