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Unit 2 - Present Perfect

Present Perfect


Unit 2 - Present Perfect

Present Perfect - Form and Usage

The Present Perfect is used to connect the past and the present. It's core purpose is to show the present relevancy of a past action or situation. For example:
- John has gone home.
John went home in the past, but our real interest is where he is now. This sentence gives past information to inform a present situation.

Form

The Present Perfect is made with have/has (the auxiliary verb "to have") and the past participle. For example:
- I have worked in London.
- She has worked in a bank.
Regular past participles are made by adding -ed to the verb, for example work - worked, play - played. There are however many irregular past participles which you can see at the Irregular Verb Page.

Here are the Present Perfect forms of the verb to work.

 

Singular

Plural

Affirmative

I have worked
You have worked
He has worked
She has worked
It has worked

We have worked
You have worked
They have worked

Negative

I haven't worked (haven't = have not)
You haven't worked
He hasn't worked
She hasn't worked
It hasn't worked

We haven't worked
You haven't worked
They haven't worked

Interrogative

Have I worked?
Have you worked?
Has he worked?
Has she worked?
Has it worked?

Have I worked?
Have you worked?
Have they worked?

Usage

Here are some of the many usages of the Present Perfect. Bear in mind that for all these individual cases the main purpose of connecting past and present is essentially the same.

A. Past informing Present

1. The Present Perfect is used to give past information that is relevant to the present. For example:
- Have you been shopping? Yes, I went this morning.
The question "Have you been shopping?" asks about a past fact - did you go shopping or not. However this question is asked because of a present need - If you have been shopping, we don't need to go now - If you haven't been shopping we need to go now. This question is about a present need, not a past fact.

2. The Present Perfect is used to relate past experience. For example:
- Have you been to Italy?
- No, I haven't been there.
Again the question "Have you been to Italy?" asks about a past fact, but the past time or circumstances are not so important. Instead we want this information for a present need - perhaps we are having a conversation about travel abroad, or maybe I'm interested in Italy. We can't tell from just one sentence, but the focus here is on a present need, not a past fact.

3. The Present Perfect is used for achievements. For example:
- James has won first prize for math.
James won the prize in the past, but the focus is on his present achievement.

B. Past Time - Present Time

1. The Present Perfect is used to show change from the past to the present.
- John's English wasn't very good, but he's got much better.
Between a past time and the present, John's English has improved. The focus is less on how poor John was in the past, but rather how much better he is now.

2. The Present Perfect is used for a situation or action that started in the past and continues to the present. It's common to use for and since in these situations.For example:
- John's lived in Boston for 5 years.
John came to Boston 5 years ago, and he still lives there.
- He's been a lawyer for 12 years.

3. The Present Perfect is used for repeated actions that started in the past and continue to the present. For example:
- We've been to England 4 times.
We went to England several times the past, and it's possible we could go there again in the future.

4. The Present Perfect is used for a period of time that started in the past but still continues in the present.
- I've studied at the library every day this week.
This week started in the past, but it's still going on, it isn't finished yet.

Indefinite and Definite Time

One convenient rule about the Present Perfect is it cannot be used with definite time. For example:
- I've been on vacation. OK
- I went on vacation last month. OK
- I've been on vacation last month. Incorrect.
We cannot use definite time with the Present Perfect. By definition the Present Perfect uses past information to focus on the present time, so introducing a past time as well is non-sensical.

As a general rule: If the exact past time is important use the Present Simple - If the exact past time is not important use the Present Perfect. For example:
- I went to Paris last year. - Focus is on the past time.
- I've been to Paris. - Focus is how our past experience affects the present.

The Present Perfect can be used with time adverbs. For example:
- I haven't had a vacation recently.

Note the Present Perfect can be used with time periods that haven't finished yet. For example:
I haven't had a vacation this year. OK - This year isn't finished yet, so the Present Perfect is used for a time that continues from past to present.
I haven't had a vacation last year. Incorrect

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Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using have, has, haven’t, and hasn’t.

Example: Although age is beginning to slow me down, it _____ stopped me.

a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

The answer is: d) - hasn't
----------

1. All of the patients in the study _____ signed waivers.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

2. I _____ learned that a girl in one of my classes has an identical twin.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

3. The demand for apartments _____ been high and few vacancies exist.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

4. The attractions of the campus _____ changed at all since I was a student.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

5. Although some of my youthful idealism _____ faded, I am still an optimist at heart.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

6. We _____ worked late every day this week, so today they're letting us leave at 3:00.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

7. The difficulties at work _____ gone away, but things should improve after the manager retires.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

8. Having a baby _____ dented Katy's party-loving nature because she still goes out when she can.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

9. I was concerned about reception when I bought the radio, but so far that _____ proven to be a problem.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't

10. Because customer satisfaction is job number one, our focus _____ always been on the quality of our service.
a) have
b) has
c) haven't
d) hasn't
----------

Answers

"a", "a", "b", "c", "b", "a", "c", "d", "d", "b"

Boss: How long have you worked in the internet advertising industry?
Applicant: I have worked in this field since 2002.
Boss: Wow, that’s quite a bit of experience.


Tyler: Have you visited Georgia yet?
Sylvia: No, but I have visited the South. I have gone to Florida and Alabama, but not Georgia.
Tyler: Ok, did you go there on vacation?
Sylvia: Yes, I went there for fun. However, I also went to Florida last year for work reasons.


Father: Have you visited Grandma this week?
Daughter: Yes, I went to see her yesterday.
Father: Have you seen Grandpa lately?
Daughter: No, I haven’t seen him. When I was visiting Grandma, he wasn’t there. He had gone out shopping for groceries.


Present Perfect 2 - Ever / Never / Have you ever...?

Have you ever...?

Have you ever...? is a common structure used to ask about past experience. For example:
- Have you ever met a famous person?
This roughly means: Do you have a past experience of meeting a famous person / Did you meet a famous person at any time in the past?
- Have you ever flown in a plane?
- Have you ever won a competition?
- Haven't you ever done this before?

Ever

Ever means "at any time", the specific time is unknown or unnecessary.

Ever is used in questions, see "Have you ever..?" above.

Ever is also used with nothing, nobody and so on for things that haven't happened before. For example:
- Nobody has ever travelled through time.
- That window's been broken for months, but nothing has ever been done about it.

Ever is also used with "the first time" for first experiences. For example:
- This is the first time I've been abroad.
- Is this your first time on a plane?
- This is the first time I've ever eaten dog soup.

Ever can be used in affirmative sentences though it is more unusual and often old-fashioned. For more info you can check out: http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ever

Never

Never is originally a contraction of "not ever". Used with the Present Perfect it means the subject hasn't had a certain experience before. For example:
- Have you ever been abroad? No, I've never been abroad.
I've never had that experience before.
- Have you ever been on a plane before? No, I've never been on a plane.

Negative questions are also possible. For example:
- Have you never eaten this before?
This shows surprise that you've never had a certain experience before.
- Have you never played soccer?

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Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using ever and never.

Example: Have you _____ eaten lobster?

a) ever
b) never

The answer is: a) - ever
----------

1. I have _____ been to France.
a) ever
b) never

2. I think I have _____ really known you.
a) ever
b) never

3. That’s the smallest car I have _____ ridden in.
a) ever
b) never

4. _____ have I suggested that a test should replace a teacher.
a) ever
b) never

5. She is probably the most fascinating woman I have _____ met.
a) ever
b) never

6. _____ have I met a person with such constantly terrible bad luck.
a) ever
b) never

7. If you _____ have questions, please don't hesitate to contact me personally.
a) ever
b) never

8. If you have _____ felt or known real love, you know it is well worth the wait.
a) ever
b) never

9. Have your children _____ had Turkish Delight or chocolate-covered pistachios?
a) ever
b) never

10. You have no right to say what the greatest movie is if you have _____ seen “Citizen Kane.”
a) ever
b) never
----------

Answers

"b", "b", "a", "b", "a", "b", "a", "a", "a", "b"


Tyler: Have you ever visited Hawaii?
Sylvia: No, I have never been there, but I’d like to go someday!


Sylvia: Have you never eaten figs before?
Tyler: No, I haven’t. But I will try one. I hear they are very sweet!


Sally: I’m excited! This is the first time I have ever gone to an opera.
Frank: That’s great.


Present Perfect 3 - For / Since

Since and for are both used for situations and actions that start in the past and continue to the present. For example:
- I've been at home for 4 hours.
- I've been at home since 12.00.

Since

Since is used wiuth a point of time. For example:
- I've lived here since March.
- I've been here since 9.00 this morning.

Since is only used with perfect forms such as the Present Perfect, Past Perfect and so on - it cannot be used with other forms. For example:
- I've studied english since last year - Correct
- I studied / I am studying / I will study English since last year - Incorrect

Since is also used with time clauses. For example:
- I've studied English since I was at university.
- We haven't seen my family since we got married.
Note that the main clause uses the Present Perfect, whereas the other clause uses the Past Simple.

For

For is used with a period of time. For example:
- I've lived here for 9 months.
- She's been here for 5 hours.

Unlike since, for can be used with tenses other than perfect tenses. For example:
- I lived here for 9 months - This period of time started and ended in the past, it is now finished.
- I will live here for a year - This period of time will start and end in the future, it hasn't started yet.
- I have lived here for a long time - This period of time started in the past and continues to the present. It isn't finished yet.

-----


Grammar Exercises

Complete the sentences using ever and never.

Example: I have lived here ____ I was born.

a) for
b) since

The answer is: b) - since
----------

1. What have you been doing _____ we last spoke?
a) for
b) since

2. What has changed in your life _____ you moved here?
a) for
b) since

3. I have been working full-time _____ several weeks now.
a) for
b) since

4. Donald hasn't wanted to talk to me _____ our argument.
a) for
b) since

5. Tony Swanson has been with the company _____ twenty-five years.
a) for
b) since

6. The little girl was hungry because she hadn’t eaten anything _____ a while.
a) for
b) since

7. Puerto Ricans have been migrating to the United States _____ over a century.
a) for
b) since

8. Human beings have sought to know the unimaginable _____ the beginning of time.
a) for
b) since

9. It is believed that everything in the universe has existed _____ the Big Bang 15 billion years ago.
a) for
b) since

10. Is there a family member who has a talent that has been in your family _____ several generations?
a) for
b) since
----------

Answers

"b", "b", "a", "b", "a", "a", "a", "b", "b", "a"


Tyler: Hi Sylvia, fancy seeing you here at the grocery store. How long have you been shopping?
Sylvia: I have been here since 3. I have a lot of groceries that I need to get! I will probably be here for another 30 minutes.


Mother: Since when did you start hanging out with Josh so much?
Son: Mom, we have been good friends since 2nd grade!


Derek: How long have you been in Miami?
Maria: I have lived here since 1998. I have lived in my current house since 2004. Before that, I lived in a few different apartments.


Present Perfect 4 - Past Simple or Present Perfect?

Choosing whether to use the Present Perfect or Past Simple usually depends on whether a definite or indefinite time is used. If a definite past time is used, use the Past Simple, and if there is no time given use the Present Perfect. Examples below are split into two groups, single events and multiple events.

Single Events

- I went to America in March. - This sentence has a definite past time, so the Past Simple is used.
- I've been to America. - Here the time is not important, what is important is the fact I went.

- I read this book last week. - Last week I started and finished this book.
- I've read this book. - Here also the time is not important, what is important is the fact I've already read the book.

The Present Perfect can however be used with a period of time that isn't finished yet. For example:
- I've been to the doctor today. - Today is not finished, so this is correct.
- I went to the doctor today. - This is also correct, a statement about a past action.
- I've been to the doctor yesterday. - This is incorrect, yesterday is a finished period of time that does not continue into the present so we cannot use the present perfect here.

Multiple Events

The Past Simple and Present Perfect can similarly be used for multiple events. For example:
- I went to America three times last year. - Here the time is important.
- I've been to America three times. - Here the time is not important, it's the fact I've been that is important.

As above you can also use the present perfect for multiple events when the time is not finished. For exmple:
- I've been to America three times this year. - This year isn't finished yet, so this is correct.
- I've been to America three times last year. - Incorrect, last year is a finished time period, so you can't use the Present Perfect.

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Grammar Exercises

Fill in the blanks with either a past simple or a present perfect form of the verb.

Complete the sayings and proverbs below using the clauses in the box.

Example: That actress is amazing! I really think she more beautiful with age. (become)

1. We tennis five times last week. (play)

2. I the new James Bond movie last week. (see)

3. We the TV you are watching since 1974. (own)

4. My daughter on her own for six years now. (be)

5. I returned the shoes I bought at the mall because they . (not fit)

6. My nephew in Germany all his life and he still lives there. (live)

7. Since the weather was so nice I my bicycle to work yesterday. (ride)

8. Alligators, which are common in Florida, for tens of millions of years. (exist)

9. I from my friend in over a year. I wonder what he is doing these days. (not hear)

10. I this fish fresh today. It’ll taste great when we eat it. (catch)


----------

Answers
1. = "played";
2. = "saw";
3. = "have owned";
4. = "has been";
5. = "did not fit";
6. = "has lived";
7. = "rode";
8. = "have existed";
9. = "have not heard";
10. = "caught";

Sylvia: When did you study chemistry in high school?
Tyler: I studied chemistry in tenth grade.
Sylvia: When did you study economics?
Tyler: I have been studying economics since high school. I plan on getting my Masters in economics someday.


Hank: Did you get your injury checked out?
Erin: Yes, I already went  to the doctor today. I have had so many ailments lately that I have been to the doctor four times so far this month.


Husband: Can you pick me up some cheese?
Wife: I have already been to the store today, and I don’t want to go back.