Exercises · Present perfect or present perfect continuous
Present perfect or present perfect continuous: match the sentence halves
Read the endings in each section, then choose the right ending (A–E) for each sentence beginning. Look at the tenses as well as the meaning.
Need a refresher? Review the rules in 3.4 For and since in business introductions, 3.5 Giving updates: ‘in the last week’ and 3.6 Charts and graphs in our Verb Tenses in Business guide.
1. For and since
How long have you been in your role? ‘Since’ + the start time, ‘for’ + the length of time – and the right tense with both.
Rules: 3.4 For and since in business introductions
- Aand before that I worked in investment banking.
- Bat the company?
- Csince we opened the new warehouse in 2022.
- Dso I look after five markets.
- Esince we studied together in Vienna.
1I’ve been managing the logistics team …
2We’ve known each other …
3I’ve been CFO for three years, …
4I’m head of sales for Central Europe, …
5How long have you been …
2. So far, in total or finished?
Still going, the total length of a stay, or finished? Each one needs a different tense.
Rules: 3.4 For and since in business introductions
- A– About two years now.
- Band we’re here for a week in total.
- Cso we’ll have time to visit the factory.
- D– Until Thursday, then I fly to Warsaw.
- Ebefore I moved into industry.
1We’ve been here for three days, …
2I worked at a consultancy for six years …
3How long are you staying in the city? …
4How long have you been working here? …
5We’re staying here until the end of the month, …
3. Done or doing?
The finished result or the activity? How many, or how long?
Each answer explains the rule.
- Aso you can review it before the meeting.
- Bthat we should expand into Poland.
- Cwe’ve been interviewing candidates all week.
- Dand I still have two sections to finish.
- Eand offered the job to two of them.
1I’ve been preparing the board pack all day, …
2I’ve prepared the board pack, …
3We’ve interviewed eight candidates …
4Sorry I haven’t replied – …
5I’ve always thought …
4. Updates
‘Last week’ or ‘in the last week’? Giving updates in meetings.
Rules: 3.5 Giving updates: ‘in the last week’
- Asince our last meeting?
- Bthe lease for the new office.
- Cfour candidates for the country manager role.
- Dby about 15%.
- Ethe Q3 numbers with the auditors.
1In the last week we’ve interviewed …
2Over the past week we’ve been going through …
3Last week we signed …
4In the last month we’ve cut delivery times …
5What have you been working on …
5. Charts and graphs
Describing trends: finished, still moving, or a final number?
Rules: 3.6 Charts and graphs
- Aby 12% since March.
- Bbut so far this year we have lost $3.5 million.
- Cduring the first half of last year.
- Dbut they increased sharply in 2025.
- Ehave been rising steadily.
1Profits went up by $4m in 2025, …
2Sales were stable in 2024, …
3Since the start of this year, costs …
4Our share price has fallen …
5Revenue increased …
6. Mixed review
All the rules together, in real business situations.
Rules: all lessons in ‘From the past to the present’
- Athree new clients.
- Bso I’ll send it to you now.
- Cfor ten years before I moved into consulting.
- Dhave been falling steadily.
- Esince the company was founded.
1I’ve been working here …
2I worked at a bank …
3In the last week we’ve signed …
4Since January, profits …
5I’ve finished the report, …
Check a section to see your score here.
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