Lesson

5 Present perfect simple

APresent perfect simple (1) ever, never

I / you / we / they he / she / it 3 We use the Present perfect to talk about past actions
or experiences in our lives, but we don’t specify
 I’ve been to Brazil. She’s been to Italy
once. when they happened. We often use it with the
 We haven’t seen Shrek He hasn’t spoken to adverbs recently and once, twice, etc.
3. me. I’ve been to Argentina.
 Have they arrived? Has it rained NOT I’ve been to Argentina last year.
Yes, they have. recently? Yes, it I’ve seen Robbie Williams in concert twice.
 No, haven’t. has. 4 We often use the Present perfect with ever in
1 We form the Present perfect with have/has + the
questions and never in negative sentences with
past participle. In spoken English we usually use
an affirmative verb.
the contracted form ’ve/’s.
Have you ever seen the Queen?
2 The past participle of regular verbs is the same as No, I’ve never seen the Queen.
the Past simple form, for example, work –
5 Note the difference between been and gone.
worked. However, irregular verbs also have
She’s been to New York. (= She was in New
irregular past participles. For example,
York, but now she’s back.)
be – was – been, see – saw – seen,
She’s gone to New York. (= She’s in New York or on
do – did – done, make – made – made.
her way there.)

BPresent perfect simple (2) already, just, still, yet

I’ve already finished. 2 We use just in affirmative sentences to say
 that something has happened very recently.
She’s just arrived.
3 We use yet in questions to ask about something that we
 Has he arrived yet? expect to happen. We use (not…) yet in negative
 We haven’t finished yet. sentences to say that something we expected to
 They still haven’t arrived. happened hasn’t happened.
4 We use still in negative sentences with the same
1 We use already in affirmative sentences to say that meaning as yet.
something happened before now.

CPresent perfect simple (3) How long…?, for, since

How long have you been here? the past and continue in the present. We use for
to indicate the duration of the situation and since
I’ve been here for three hours. / I’ve been here since 3 p.m.
to indicate when the situation began in the past.
How long has he known her?
Unlike Italian, in English we do not use the
He’s known her for six months. / He’s known her since Present simple with for and since to describe
March. continuing situations.
1 We use the Present perfect with How long…?, for
I’ve known her for years. NOT I know her for years.
and since to talk about situations which started in

DPresent perfect simple vs Past simple

Present perfect Past simple 3 We use the Present perfect with How long…?,
for and since when the situation or action, or
Have you met the new Yes, I met him
teacher? yesterday. period of time is not finished. We can use the Past
I haven’t seen the film yet. I saw the film on simple with How long…? and for and from… to
Friday. when the time is finished and the action is
Have you spoken to John? Did you speak to completed.
John last night? How long have you lived in London?
She still hasn’t done She did her I’ve lived in London for several years/since 2005.
her homework. homework this (= I still live in London.)
morning. How long did you live in London?
1 We use the Present perfect when we talk about an I lived in London for ten years/from 1995 to 2005.
action in the past, but we don’t specify the time. (= Now I live somewhere else.)
2 We use the Past simple when we talk about an
action in the past, and we specify the time (two
hours ago, yesterday, last week).
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APresent perfect simple (1) ever, never
1 Complete the second sentence so that it has 2 Write the questions for the answers using
a similar meaning to the first sentence. Use the words in brackets.
the Present perfect of the verb in brackets. 1 A (ever/see/a snake)
1 I can’t find my purse. (lose) Have you ever seen a snake?
-I I’ve lost my purse.
- B No I haven’t – only on TV.
2 Gerry can’t remember the time of the 2 A (How many times/Jill/move/house)
interview. (forget) ?
Gerry
B Five times!
3 Amy is on her way to school. (go) 3 A (ever/sing/a solo)
Amy ?
4 I don’t know that man. (never/meet)
-I B Once at primary school, when I was five.
- 4 A (be/cold/recently)
5 There’s something wrong with my dad’s leg. ?
(break)
B No it hasn’t. The weather’s been lovely.
My dad

BPresent perfect simple (2) already, just, still, yet

3 Put the adverbs in the correct place in 4 Complete the sentences with already, just,
the sentences or questions. Write in still or yet.
1 I’ve already passed my driving test. I don’t
your exercise book.
1 Have you had dinner? (yet) need lessons.
Have you had dinner yet? 2 Those boys haven’t apologized .
2 Their plane hasn’t taken off. (still) 3 Victoria hasn’t phoned me.
3 This letter has arrived for you. (just) 4 Guess what? Simon’s said he’s
4 I’ve seen this film. (already) leaving home.
5 We haven’t met the new boss. (yet) 5 Have you found your glasses ?
6 Mary’s told me she’s getting married! (just) 6 We’ve been on holiday this year.

CPresent perfect simple (3) How long…?, for, since

5 Complete the sentences with for or since. 6 Correct the sentences.
1 I’ve had a horrible cold since Friday. 1 I knew you for 5 years. You’re great! I’ve known
2 We’ve lived in this house three years. 2 We don’t see her since last week.
3 Dan’s known Alice they were kids. 3 She played tennis since she was 8.
4 They’ve lived in Rome since ages.
4 Have you been here 8 o’clock?
5 How long are you here?
5 I’ve been on a diet five long months. 6 He worked for that company for six years and
6 They’ve had their dog a long time. now he’s the manager.

DPresent perfect simple vs Past simple 8 Choose the correct alternative.

7 Complete the sentences and questions with 1 Have you spent/did you spend your pay yet?
the Present perfect or Past simple form of 2 He still hasn’t found/didn’t find a job.
the verb in brackets. 3 Did he go/Has he gone yesterday?
1 When did you buy (you/buy) that CD? 4 Who did you see/have you seen last night?
2 (you/ever/go) to a concert? 5 I’ve already given/gave you £20.
-
3 Luckily, - I (never/break) my leg. That’s enough!
4 He’s tired. He (stay up) late 6 A You look very smart.
last night. B I’ve just had/just had a job interview.
5 (you/ever/eat) fish and chips? 7 I haven’t done/didn’t do the shopping yet.
6 She (leave) home 4 years ago. 8 We went/’ve been to Africa three years ago.

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