Present Perfect Continuous - Negative - Worksheet | English Grammar - Free Printable

Solution to the Present Perfect Continuous Exercise

The task requires converting two sentences into one sentence using the Present Perfect Continuous tense, and including either "since" or "for" appropriately.

---

#### ✔ Rules for Present Perfect Continuous:
- Structure: Subject + have/has been + verb-ing
- Use "since" when referring to a specific point in time (e.g., 2015, May, 3 years ago).
- Use "for" when referring to a duration (e.g., 3 years, an hour, 2 hours).

---

Let’s go through each question:

---

1. He began to study computer science 3 years ago. He is still studying it.

- "3 years ago" → specific point in time → use since
- Action started in the past and continues now.

✔ Answer:
He has been studying computer science since 3 years ago.

> ✔ Note: Although "since 3 years ago" is grammatically acceptable, more natural phrasing would be:
> He has been studying computer science for 3 years.
> → "For" is used with durations like "3 years".

But since the instruction says to use "since" or "for", both are valid depending on context.

However, "for" is better here because we're talking about a duration.

So, best answer:
👉 He has been studying computer science for 3 years.

---

2. I began to teach English 7 years ago. I am still teaching.

- Started 7 years ago → duration → use for
- Ongoing action

✔ Answer:
I have been teaching English for 7 years.

---

3. They began to work at this company in 2010. They are still working there.

- "In 2010" → specific point in time → use since

✔ Answer:
They have been working at this company since 2010.

---

4. We began to solve the task an hour ago. We are still solving it.

- "An hour ago" → specific point → use since
- But "an hour" is a duration → can also use for

Both are correct, but:
- Since emphasizes the starting point.
- For emphasizes the length of time.

Best choice:
👉 We have been solving the task for an hour.
(Emphasizes duration)

Alternatively:
👉 We have been solving the task since an hour ago.
(Less common, but grammatically okay)

✔ Recommended:
We have been solving the task for an hour.

---

5. She began to blog in 2015. She is still blogging.

- "In 2015" → specific point → use since

✔ Answer:
She has been blogging since 2015.

---

6. It began to snow 2 hours ago. It is still snowing.

- "2 hours ago" → specific point → use since
- Or duration → for

Again, both possible:
- It has been snowing since 2 hours ago. → less natural
- It has been snowing for 2 hours. → more natural

✔ Answer:
It has been snowing for 2 hours.

---

✔ Final Answers:

1. He has been studying computer science for 3 years.
2. I have been teaching English for 7 years.
3. They have been working at this company since 2010.
4. We have been solving the task for an hour.
5. She has been blogging since 2015.
6. It has been snowing for 2 hours.

---

🔍 Summary Tips:

- Use "since" with specific points in time: *in 2010, last week, 3 years ago*
- Use "for" with durations: *for 3 years, for an hour, for 2 hours*
- The Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes ongoing actions that started in the past and continue up to now.

Let me know if you'd like a version with explanations in Spanish or another language!