Present Perfect Simple or Continuous — Test Questions
Six questions choosing between present perfect simple and continuous: stative verbs, counted repetitions, always, and completed results vs ongoing activity. Part of the Present Perfect Test.
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The mechanic ___ the car. It's ready for you to collect.
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has repaired
Focus on the completed result (the car is ready) → present perfect simple.
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Why is Caroline so dirty? She ___ the car.
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's been repairing
Present perfect continuous explains the present state (dirt) — emphasis on the cause.
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I ___ him since we were children.
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've known
'Know' is a state verb — use present perfect simple, not continuous.
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He never answers his phone. I ___ six times!
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've called
Number of times ('six times') → present perfect simple, not continuous.
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I ___ in this house — I was born here.
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've always lived
'Always' goes with present perfect simple, not continuous.
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Jane ___ the computer all morning — and it's still not working.
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's been fixing
The activity isn't finished (still not working) → present perfect continuous. Simple would mean she's done it.
Present Perfect Simple or Continuous?
Once learners can form both the present perfect simple and continuous, the harder skill is choosing between them in the same sentence type. Three signals decide it: whether the verb is stative, whether the sentence counts a number of times, and whether the result is finished or the activity is still ongoing.
Stative Verbs Stay Simple
Verbs describing states rather than actions — 'know', 'love', 'believe' — are never used in the continuous, in any tense, including the present perfect.
I've always lived in this house — I was born here. ('always' + simple)
Counted Repetitions Stay Simple
When a sentence states how many times something happened, the present perfect simple is used, even though the action has been repeated.
Completed Result vs Ongoing Activity
The simple form highlights that an action is complete and its result is visible; the continuous highlights that the activity itself is still in progress or very recent.
Why is Caroline so dirty? She's been repairing the car. (explains her current state)
Jane's been fixing the computer all morning — and it's still not working. (activity not finished)
Common Mistakes
✗ I've been calling him six times! → ✓ I've called him six times! (counted number → simple)
✗ Jane's fixed the computer all morning, and it's still not working. → ✓ Jane's been fixing the computer all morning. (unfinished activity → continuous)
Last updated: · Satori Editorial