Present Perfect Continuous Tense - Grade 6 Assessment

Let's start with the basics. Select the one sentence below that is written in the Present Perfect Continuous tense.

• My brother is playing video games.

• My brother played video games all afternoon.

• My brother has been playing video games all afternoon.

• My brother will play video games.

Answer explanation

This is the only sentence that uses the correct formula for the Present Perfect Continuous tense: subject + has/have + been + verb-ing. It describes an action that started in the past and is still continuing.

Okay, let's check our helping verbs. Fill in the blank with the correct word, 'has' or 'have', to follow the grammar rule we're studying: She (a)   been practicing the piano for an hour.

Answer explanation

The subject 'She' is a singular pronoun, so it needs the singular helping verb 'has'. We use 'have' with 'I', 'you', 'we', and 'they'.

Read this statement about our grammar rule and decide if it's true or false: We use the Present Perfect Continuous tense to talk about an action that started in the past and is still going on right now.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

This statement correctly describes the main purpose of the Present Perfect Continuous tense, which is to show that an action began in the past and is still in progress.

You need to show how long an action has been happening. Choose the best word to complete this sentence to show a specific starting time: I have been waiting for the bus ______ 8:00 AM.

• for

• since

• at

• while

Answer explanation

'Since' is used to mark the specific starting point of an action (e.g., since 8:00 AM, since last Tuesday). 'For' is used to talk about a duration of time (e.g., for two hours).

Okay, let's look at shortcuts in speaking and writing. True or False: The sentence 'She's been reading that book for a week' is a grammatically correct way to shorten 'She has been reading that book for a week'.

• True

• False

Answer explanation

In conversational English, 'She has' is very often contracted to 'She's'. This is a correct and common way to write or say the sentence.

Imagine you want to ask your friend a question about their new hobby. Which question uses the correct grammar for the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

• You have been learning guitar?

• Have you been learning guitar?

• Been you have learning guitar?

• Do you been learning guitar?

Answer explanation

To make a question in this tense, we move 'have' or 'has' to the beginning of the sentence, before the subject. The correct structure is: Have/Has + subject + been + verb-ing?

Time to make a sentence negative! Fill in the blank with the one word that correctly places the negative in this sentence: They have (a)   been paying attention in class, so they are confused.

Answer explanation

To make a negative sentence in this tense, the word 'not' goes between the two helping verbs: 'have not been' or 'has not been'.

Let's practice using the correct verb form. Your friend started his homework an hour ago and is still working. Fill in the blank with the correct verb phrase using the verb 'to do' to show this ongoing action: He (a)   his homework for an hour.

Answer explanation

To show an ongoing action for the subject 'He', the Present Perfect Continuous tense requires the structure 'has' + 'been' + the '-ing' form of the main verb ('doing').

Now for a tougher one. Your friend's hands are covered in paint. Fill in the blanks with the three words needed to complete your question: What (a)   doing?

Answer explanation

For a 'what' question, the structure is 'What' + 'have'/'has' + subject + 'been' + verb-ing. The phrase 'have you been' correctly completes the question.

Let's put it all together in a real-life situation. Your friend is surprised she did poorly on the science test. She was too busy with soccer practice this week to study like she normally does. Which sentence best explains the reason for her grade?

• She has been feeling sick lately.

• She hasn't been studying much this week.

• She doesn't like science anymore.

• She has been acing all her other tests.

Answer explanation

The negative form 'hasn't been studying' correctly describes an action (studying) that did not happen over a recent period of time (this week), which explains the poor test result based on the context provided.