Have Been vs Had Been grammar Exercise

Practice distinguishing between "have been" and "had been" in different contexts through dropdown selection exercises. Perfect for mastering how these forms connect present, past, and earlier past events.

Exercise Guide

How to complete:

Choose the correct form of the verb for each blank. Focus on whether the sentence refers to something continuing up to the present (“have been”) or something that was true before another past event (“had been”). Consider time expressions carefully and read the whole context before selecting your answer.

Success tips:

  • Use “have been” (or “has been”) for actions or states continuing up to now.
  • Use “had been” for actions or states continuing until another point in the past.
  • Look for clues: “since”, “for”, and time markers like “before”, “when”, “until”.
  • “Have been” = connection to present. “Had been” = connection to earlier past.

Knowledge:

This test focuses on the difference between “have been” and “had been”. You’ll practice identifying when to use the present perfect continuous idea versus the past perfect continuous idea. These forms help express how long actions lasted and when they ended relative to now or to another past moment.

Complete the Exercise

Paragraph 1

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I waiting for the bus for over 20 minutes. Before that, I walking from home to the stop.
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Paragraph 2

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She feeling tired all week, but last night she realized she getting enough sleep.
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Paragraph 3

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We working on the project since January. By the time it was finished, we collaborating for almost six months.
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Paragraph 4

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Tom studying German lately. Before that, he learning Spanish for several years.
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Paragraph 5

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They married for ten years now. Before they met, both of them single for a long time.
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Paragraph 6

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I reading that novel you lent me. Before this, I trying to finish another book.
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Paragraph 7

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It raining all day today, but yesterday it sunny for hours before the storm came.
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Paragraph 8

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She working here for five years. Before joining this company, she employed by a startup.
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Paragraph 9

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We waiting for you since morning. Before you arrived, we preparing the presentation.
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Paragraph 10

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He very busy lately. Before this project, he looking for new opportunities.
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Paragraph 11

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I feeling better since I started exercising. Before that, I tired most of the time.
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Paragraph 12

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By the time we met, she living in London for two years. Now she in Paris for almost one year.
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Paragraph 13

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The children playing outside since morning. Before lunch, they building a sandcastle at the beach.
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Paragraph 14

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He teaching English for many years. Before moving abroad, he working at a local school.
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Paragraph 15

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We thinking about buying a new car for months. Before that, we saving money for a vacation.
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