Fill in the blanks with an appropriate verb form.
1. How long ........................ Julie?
Some verbs are not normally used in the continuous form. Know is one of them.
2. I ............................. all morning. I am tired.
We use the perfect continuous when the focus is on the continuity rather than the completion.
3. I ........................ ten letters since morning.
Here the emphasis is on the idea of completion and hence we use the perfect tense.
4. I have already ......................... the report.
Here we are talking about a finished action and hence we use the perfect tense.
5. Sorry about the mess. We ...................... the walls.
Here we are talking about an ongoing situation and therefore we use the present perfect continuous tense.
6. This is the fifth time you .......................... that question.
We use the present perfect in structures with 'this is the first/second/third time...'
7. You ...................... a dozen cookies today.
Here again the emphasis is on the idea of completion.
8. We ............................. in this city for ten years.
The present perfect and the present perfect continuous can both be used to talk about actions and situations that started in the past and have continued up to the present.
9. John ........................... his leg so he can't walk.
10. You look hot. What ............................ ?
11. Help! I ......................... my purse.
We are talking about a finished action here and hence we use the present perfect.
12. 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I .............................'
The present perfect continuous can be used to talk about situations that have just stopped and have present results.
Answers
1. How long have you known Julie?
2. I have been working all morning. I am tired.
3. I have written ten letters since morning.
4. I have already received the report.
5. Sorry about the mess. We have been painting the walls.
6. This is the fifth time you have asked that question.
7. You have eaten a dozen cookies today.
8. We have lived / have been living in this city for ten years.
9. John has broken his leg so he can’t walk.
10. You look hot. What have you been doing?
11. Help! I have lost my purse.
12. ‘You look tired.’ ‘Yes, I have been running.’
