Lesson

Grammar

The Present Perfect

The Present Perfect
Continuous1

Context

The Internet

The present perfect continuous is sometimes called the present perfect progressive.

9.1 The Present Perfect TenseAn Overview

We form the present perfect with have or has + the past participle.
Subject

have

Past Participle

Complement

Explanation

have

been

in the U.S. for three

years.

You

have

used

your computer a lot.

Use have with I,

you, we, they, and
plural nouns.

We

have

written

a job rsum.

They

have

bought

a new computer.

Computers

have

changed

the world.

Subject

has

Past Participle

Complement

Explanation

My sister

has

gotten

her degree.

She

has

found

a job as a programmer.

Use has with he,

she, it, and singular
nouns.

My father

has

helped

me.

The computer

has

changed

a lot over the years.

There

has/have

been

There

has

been

There

have

been

Complement
a problem with my
computer.
many changes with
personal computers.

Explanation
After there, we
use has or have,
depending on the
noun that follows.
Use has with a
singular noun. Use
have with a plural
noun.

Google
Before
You Read

1. Do you use the Internet a lot? Why?

2. What search engine do you usually use?

CD 3, TR 12

280 Lesson 9

Read the following Web article. Pay special attention to the present
perfect tense.

http://www.website*reading.com

Since its start in 1998, Google has

become one of the most popular
search engines. It has grown from a
research project in the dormitory room
of two college students to a business
that now employs approximately
20,000 people.
Googles founders, Larry Page and
Larry Page and Sergey Brin
Sergey Brin, met in 1995 when they
were in their twenties and graduate students in computer science at
Stanford University in California. They realized that Internet search was a
very important field and began working together to make searching easier.
Both Page and Brin left their studies at Stanford to work on their project.
Interestingly, they have never returned to finish their degrees.
Did You

Know?

The word Google

started as a noun,
the companys name.
Today people use it
as a verb: Im going
to Google the Civil
War to get more
information
about it.

Brin was born in Russia, but he has lived in the U.S. since he was five
years old. His father was a mathematician in Russia. Page, whose parents
were computer experts, has been interested in computers since he was
six years old.
When Google started in 1998, it did 10,000 searches a day. Today it does
235 million searches a day in 40 languages. It indexes2 1 trillion Web pages.
How is Google different from other search engines? Have you ever
noticed how many ads and banners there are on other search engines?
News, sports scores, stock prices, links for shopping, mortgage rates, and
more fill other search engines. Brin and Page wanted a clean home page.
They believed that people come to the Internet to search for specific
information, not to be hit with a lot of unwanted data. The success of
Google over its rivals3 has proved that this is true.
Over the years, Google has added new features to its Web site: Google
Images, where you can type in a word and get thousands of pictures;
Google News, which takes you
to todays news; Google Maps;
and more. But one thing
hasnt changed: the clean
opening page that Google
offers its users.
In 2009, Forbes.com listed
Page and Brin as having net
worths of $12 billion each, at
36 and 35 years old.
2
3

To index means to sort, organize, and categorize information.

Rivals are competitors.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

281

Underline the present perfect tense in each sentence. Then tell if

the sentence is true or false.

EXERCISE
EXAMPLE

Google has become a very popular search engine.

1. Google has grown over the years.

2. Sergey Brin has lived in the U.S. all his life.
3. Larry Page and Sergey Brin have known each other since they were

children.

4. Larry Page has been interested in computers since he was a child.

5. Brin and Page have returned to college to finish their degrees.
6. Brin and Page have become rich.
7. The noun Google has become a verb.

9.2 The Past Participle

The past participle of regular verbs ends in -ed. The past participle is the same as the
past form for regular verbs.
FORMS

EXAMPLES

Base
Form

Past
Form

Past
Participle

work
improve

worked
improved

worked
improved

I work every day.

I worked yesterday.
I have worked all week.

The past participle of many irregular verbs is the same as the past form.
FORMS

EXAMPLES

Base
Form

Past
Form

Past
Participle

have
buy

had
bought

had
bought

We have a new car now.

We had an old car, but we sold it.
We have had our new car for two months.

The past participle of some irregular verbs is different from the past form.
FORMS

EXAMPLES

Base
Form

Past
Form

Past
Participle

go
write

went
wrote

gone
written

282 Lesson 9

I write a composition once a week.

I wrote a composition yesterday.
I have written ve compositions this
semester.

For the following verbs, the base form, past form, and past participle
are all different.
Base
Form

Past
Form

Past
Participle

Base
Form

Past
Form

Past
Participle

become
come
run

became
came
ran

become
come
run

blow
draw
y
grow
know
throw

blew
drew
ew
grew
knew
threw

blown
drawn
own
grown
known
thrown

arise
bite
drive
ride
rise
write

arose
bit
drove
rode
rose
wrote

arisen
bitten
driven
ridden
risen
written

swear
tear
wear

swore
tore
wore

sworn
torn
worn

break
choose
freeze
speak
steal

broke
chose
froze
spoke
stole

broken
chosen
frozen
spoken
stolen

be
eat
fall
forgive
give
mistake
see
shake
take

was/were
ate
fell
forgave
gave
mistook
saw
shook
took

been
eaten
fallen
forgiven
given
mistaken
seen
shaken
taken

begin
drink
ring
sing
sink
swim

began
drank
rang
sang
sank
swam

begun
drunk
rung
sung
sunk
swum

do
forget
get
go
lie
prove

did
forgot
got
went
lay
proved

show

showed

done
forgotten
gotten
gone
lain
proven
(or proved)
shown
(or showed)

Write the past participle of these verbs.

EXAMPLE eat eaten

EXERCISE 2

1. go

11. live

21. write

2. see

12. know

22. put

3. look

13. like

23. begin

4. study

14. fall

24. want

5. bring

15. feel

25. get

6. take

16. come

26. fly

7. say

17. break

27. sit

8. be

18. wear

28. drink

9. find

19. choose

29. grow

20. drive

30. give

10. leave

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

283

9.3 The Present PerfectContractions and Negatives

EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Ive had a lot of experience with computers.

Weve read the story about Google.
Hes been interested in computers since he
was a child.
Theres been an increase in searching over
the years.

We can make a contraction with subject

pronouns and have or has.
I have = Ive
He has = Hes
You have = Youve
She has = Shes
We have = Weve
It has = Its
They have = Theyve There has = Theres

Larrys lived in the U.S. all his life.

Sergeys been in the U.S. since he was ve
years old.

Most singular nouns can contract with has.

I havent studied programming.

Brin hasnt returned to college.

Negative contractions:
have not = havent
has not = hasnt

Language Note: The s in hes, shes, its, and theres can mean has or is. The word following the
contraction will tell you what the contraction means.
Hes working. = He is working.
Hes worked. = He has worked.

Fill in the blanks to form the present perfect. Use a contraction.

EXAMPLE You ve
bought a new computer.

EXERCISE

1. I
2. We
3. Larry

learned a lot about computers.

read the story about Google.
known Sergey since they were at Stanford University.

4. They (not)
5. It
6. You

known each other since they were children.

been easy for me to learn about computers.
used the Internet many times.

7. Larry and Sergey (not)

284

Lesson 9

finished their degrees.

9.4 Adding an Adverb

Subject

has/
have

Adverb

Past
Participle

Complement

Explanation

Page and
Brin

have

never

nished

their degrees.

They

have

already*

made

a lot of money.

They

have

even

become

billionaires.

Larry Page

has

always

been

interested in computers.

You can put an

adverb between
the auxiliary
verb (have/has)
and the past
participle.

You

have

probably

used

a search engine.

Language Note: *Already frequently comes at the end of the verb phrase.
They have made a lot of money already.

EXERCISE 4
EXAMPLE

Add the word in parentheses ( ) to the sentence.

You have gotten an e-mail account. (probably)
You have probably gotten an e-mail account.
1. The teacher has given a test on Lesson 8. (already)
2. We have heard of Page and Brin. (never)
3. They have been interested in search technology. (always)
4. You have used Google. (probably)
5. Brin hasnt finished his degree. (even)
6. Brin and Page have become billionaires. (already)

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

285

9.5 The Present PerfectStatements and Questions

Compare afrmative statements and questions.
WhWord

have/
has

How long

Has
has

Subject

have/
has

Past
Participle

Complement

Short Answer

Larry
Sergey
Sergey

has

lived
lived
lived

in the U.S. all his life.

in the U.S. all his life?
in the U.S.?

No, he hasnt.
Since 1979.

Language Note: For a short yes answer, we cannot make a contraction.

Has Larry lived in the U.S. all his life? Yes, he has. (Not: hes)

Compare negative statements and questions.

WhWord

havent/
hasnt
havent

Why

EXERCISE 5
EXAMPLE

Subject

havent/
hasnt

Past
Participle

Complement

They
they

havent

nished
nished

their degrees.
their degrees?

Change the statement to a question, using the word(s) in

parentheses.
Google has changed the way people search. (how)
How has Google changed the way people search?
1. I have used several search engines. (which ones)
2. Larry and Sergey havent finished their degrees. (why)
3. They have made a lot of money. (how much)
4. Sergey has been in the U.S. for many years. (how long)
5. Larry and Sergey have hired many people to work for Google.

(how many)
6. We have used the computer lab several times this semester. (how

many times)

286 Lesson 9

7. The memory and speed of computers have increased. (why)

8. Computers have become part of our daily lives. (how)

9.6 Continuation from Past to Present

We use the present perfect tense to show that an action or state started in the
past and continues to the present.
Now
Past
Future
I have had my computer
for two months.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Larry Page has been interested in computers

for many years.
My sister has been a programmer for three
years.

Use for + an amount of time: for two months,

for three years, for one hour, for a long time,
etc.

Brins family has been in the U.S. since

1979.
I have had my computer since March.
Personal computers have been popular since
the 1980s.

Use since with the date, month, year, etc.,

that the action began.

Brin has been interested in computers since

he was a child.
I have had an e-mail account since I bought
my computer.

Use since with the beginning of the

continuous action or state. The verb in the
since clause is simple past.

How long has Brins family been in the U.S.?

How long have you had your computer?

Use how long to ask about the amount of time

from the past to the present.

Larry Page has always lived in the U.S.

He has always been interested in computers.

We use the present perfect with always to

show that an action began in the past and
continues to the present.

My grandmother has never used a computer.

Google has never put advertising on its
opening page.

We use the present perfect with never to show

that something has not occurred from the
past to the present.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

287

EXERCISE 6

Fill in the blanks with the missing words.

since
we were in high school.
EXAMPLE Ive known my best friend
1. My brother has been in the U.S.
2. My mother
3. How

1998.

never been in the U.S.

have you been in the U.S.?

4. Ive known the teacher since I

5. My sisters

to study at this school.

married for two years.

6. Shes had the same job

7. My best friend and I

ten years.
known each other since we

in elementary school.
8. She

been a student at this school

9. Ive had my car for three years.

September.

long have you

your car?
10. Im interested in computers. I

interested in

computers since I was in high school.

11.

EXERCISE 7

always wanted to have my own business.

Write true statements using the present perfect

with the words given and for, since, always, or never. Share your
sentences with the class.
EXAMPLES know My parents have known each other for over 40 years.
have Ive had my cell phone since March.
ABOUT YOU

want

Ive always wanted to learn English.

1. have
2. be
3. want
4. know

EXERCISE 8
EXAMPLE

ABOUT YOU

Make statements with always.

Name something youve always thought about.

Ive always thought about my future.
1. Name something youve always enjoyed.
2. Name a person youve always liked.

288 Lesson 9

3. Name something youve always wanted to do.

4. Name something youve always wanted to have.
5. Name something youve always been interested in.

EXERCISE 9
EXAMPLE

ABOUT YOU

Make statements with never.

Name a machine youve never used.

Ive never used a fax machine.
1. Name a movie youve never seen.
2. Name a food youve never liked.
3. Name a subject youve never studied.
4. Name a city youve never visited.
5. Name a sport youve never played.
6. Name a food youve never tasted.

EXERCISE 10

Write four sentences telling about things youve

always done (or been). Share your sentences with the class.
EXAMPLES Ive always cooked the meals in my family.
Ive always been lazy.
ABOUT YOU

1.
2.
3.
4.

EXERCISE 11

Write four sentences telling about things youve never

done (or been) but would like to. Share your sentences with the
class.
EXAMPLES Ive never studied photography, but Id like to.
Ive never acted in a play, but Id like to.
ABOUT YOU

1.
2.
3.
4.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

289

9.7 The Simple Present vs. the Present Perfect

EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

a. Larry Page is in California.

b. Larry Page has been in California since he was in
his twenties.
a. He loves computers.
b. He has always loved computers.
a. Google doesnt have advertising on its home page.
b. Google has never had advertising on its home page.
a. Do you work at a computer company? Yes, I do.
b. Have you always worked at a computer company?
Yes, I have.

Sentences (a) refer only to the

present.
Sentences (b) connect the past to
the present.

EXERCISE 12

Read each statement about your teacher. Then ask the teacher a
question beginning with the words given. Include always in your
question. Your teacher will answer.
always been a teacher
EXAMPLE Youre a teacher. Have you

No. I was an accountant before I became a teacher. Ive only been a teacher
for five years.
1. You teach English. Have you

?
2. You work at this college/school. Have you

?
3. You think about grammar. Have you

?
4. English is easy for you. Has English

?
5. Your last name is

. Has your last name

?

6. Youre interested in languages. Have you

?
7. You live in this city. Have you

290 Lesson 9

EXERCISE

Fill in the blanks with the missing words.

Two students meet by chance in the computer lab.

CD 3, TR 13

you

Have

A:

(example)

B: No, I

B: I

(1)

A: How

in the U.S. for long?

been
(example)

(2)

you been in the U.S.?

(3)

(4)

(5)

here for about a year.

A: Where do you come from?

B: Burundi.
A: Burundi? I

(6)

never

of it. Where is it?

(7)

B: Its a small country in Central Africa.

A: Do you have a map? Can you show me where it is?
B: Lets go on the Internet. We can do a search.
A: Did you learn to use a computer in your country?
B: No. When I came here, a volunteer at my church gave me her old

computer. Before, I didnt know anything about computers. Ive

(8)

a lot about computers since I came here.

A: Oh, now I see Burundi. Its very small. Its near Congo.
B: Yes, it is.
A: Why did you come to the U.S.?
B: My country

(9)

political problems for many years.

(10)

It wasnt safe to live there. My family left in 1995.

A: So you

(11)

(12)

here since 1995?

B: No. First we lived in a refugee camp in Zambia.

A: I

(13)

never

(14)

of Zambia either.

Can we search for it on the Internet?

B: Here it is.
A: You speak English very well. Is English the language of Burundi?
B: No. Kirundi is the official language. Also French. I
(16)

(15)

French since I was a small child. Where are you from?

(continued )
The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

291

A: Im from North Dakota.

B: I

never

(17)

of North Dakota. Is it in the U.S.?

(18)

A: Yes, it is. Lets search for an American map on the Internet. Here it is.

Winter in North Dakota is very cold. Its cold here too.

B: I dont know how people live in a cold climate. I

never

(20)

always

(22)

in a cold climate before. I

(19)
(21)

near the Equator.

A: Dont worry. Youll be OK. You just need warm clothes for the winter.
B: I have class now. Ive got to go.
A: I

(23)

(24)

so much about your country in such a

short time.
B: Its easy to learn things fast using a computer and a search engine.

9.8 The Present Perfect vs. the Simple Past

Do not confuse the present perfect with the simple past.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Compare:
a. Sergey Brin came to the U.S. in 1979.
b. Sergey Brin has been in the U.S. since 1979.
a. Brin and Page started Google in 1998.
b. Google has been popular since 1998.

Sentences (a) show a single action in the

past. This action does not continue.

a. When did Brin come to the U.S.?

b. How long has Brin been in the U.S.?

Question (a) with when uses the simple

past tense. Question (b) with how long
uses the present perfect tense.

EXERCISE

Sentences (b) show the continuation of an

action or state from the past to the present.

Fill in the blanks with the simple past or the present perfect of the
verb in parentheses ( ).
A: Do you like to surf the Internet?

CD 3, TR 14

B: Of course, I do. I ve had

(example: have)

my Internet connection since 1999,

and I love it. A couple of months ago, I

(1 buy)

with lots of memory and speed. And last month I

a new computer
(2 change)

to a better service provider. Now I can surf much faster.

292 Lesson 9

A: What kind of things do you search for?

B: Lots of things. I

(3 always/want)

to learn about the stock market, and with

the Web, I can start to learn. Last week I

(4 make)

my first investment

in the stock market.

A: Do you ever buy products online?
B: Sometimes I do. Last month, I

a great Web site where

(5 find)

I can download music for 99. So far

I

about a hundred songs,

(6 download)

and I

(7 make)

computer

several CDs. My old

a CD burner,

(8 not/have)

so Im very happy with my new one.

A:

(9 you/sell)

your old computer?

B: No. It was about eight years old. I just

and

Someone

the hard drive

the computer on top of the garbage dumpster.

(11 leave)

When I

(10 remove)

(12 pass)

by a few hours later, it was gone.

it.

(13 take)

A: Was your new computer expensive?

B: Yes, but I
A: I

(15 have)

a great deal online.

(14 get)

my computer for three years, and it seems so old by

comparison to todays computers. But its too expensive to buy a new

one every year.
B: Theres a joke about computers: When is a computer old?
A: I dont know. When?
B: As soon as you get it out of the box!

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

293

9.9 The Present Perfect ContinuousAn Overview

We use the present perfect continuous for a continuous action that started in the
past and continues to the present.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

I have been using the Internet since 9 A.M.

I have been surng the Web for 2 hours.
We have been learning a lot about computers.

A continuous action started in the

past and continues to the present.

Genealogy
Before
You Read

1. Do you think its important to know your familys history? Why or

why not?

2. What would you like to know about your ancestors?

CD 3, TR 15

Read the following magazine article. Pay special attention to the

present perfect and the present perfect continuous tenses.

In the last 30 years,

genealogy has become one
of Americas most popular
hobbies. If you type genealogy

in a search engine, you can find

about 90 million hits. If you type
family history, you will get about 50
million hits. The percentage of the
U.S. population interested in family
history has been increasing steadily.
This increase probably has to do
with the ease of searching on the
Internet.
The number of genealogy Web
sites has been growing accordingly
as people ask themselves: Where does my family come from? How long has
my family been in the U.S.? Why did they come here? How did they come
here? What kind of people were they?

294 Lesson 9

Genealogy is a lifelong hobby for many. The average family historian

has been doing genealogy for 14 years, according to a 2001 study. Most
family historians are over 40. Cyndi Howells, from Washington State,
quit her job in 1992 and has been working on her family history ever
since. She has created a Web site called Cyndis List to help others with
their search. Her Web site has over 260,000 resources. Since its start in
1992, her Web site has had millions of visitors. Every day it gets about
15,000 visitors. Over the years, she has added many new links and
deleted old ones.
Although the Internet has made research easier for amateur genealogists,
it is only the beginning for serious family historians. Researchers still need to
go to courthouses and libraries to find public records, such as land deeds,4
obituaries,5 wedding notices, and tax records. Another good source of
information is the U.S. Census. Early census records are not complete, but
since the mid-1800s, the U.S. Census has been keeping detailed records of
family members, their ages, occupations, and places of birth.
Are you interested in knowing more about your ancestors and their
stories, their country or countries, and how you fit into the history of your
family? Maybe genealogy is a good hobby for you.

9.10 The Present Perfect ContinuousForms

Subject

have/has

been

Present Participle

Complement

have

been

using

the Internet for two hours.

We

have

been

reading

about search engines.

You

have

been

studying

computers.

They

have

been

living

in California.

He

has

been

writing

since 1:00 P.M.

She

has

been

surng

the Internet all day.

It

has

been

raining

all day.

Language Note: To form the negative, put not between have or has and been.
You have not been listening.
She hasnt been working hard.

4
5

A land deed is a document that shows who the owner of the land is.
Obituaries are death notices posted in the newspaper.

(continued )

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

295

Compare afrmative statements and questions.

WhWord

have/
has

How long

Has
has

Subject

have/
has

been +
Verb -ing

Complement

Short Answer

Cyndi
she
she

has

been working
been working
been working

on her family history.

on her Web site?
on her Web site?

Yes, she has.

Since 1992.

Compare negative statements and questions.

WhWord

havent/
hasnt

Why

havent

Subject

havent/
hasnt

been +
Verb -ing

Complement

They
they

havent

been using
been using

the public library.

the public library?

EXERCISE 15

Fill in the blanks with the present perfect continuous form of the
verb in parentheses ( ).
has
been managing
Cyndi
a
EXAMPLE How long
(example: manage)

genealogy Web site?

1. Interest in genealogy
2. Cyndi

on her family history since 1992.

(work)

3. Cyndi

(grow)

all over the U.S. to genealogy groups.

(lecture)

4. The number of genealogy Web sites

5. How long

(increase)

the U.S. Census

records?

(keep)

6.

you

(work)

on a family tree for

your family?
7. People

(use)

the Internet to do family research

since the 1990s.

8. My family

296 Lesson 9

(not/live)

in the U.S. for many generations.

9.11 The Present Perfect ContinuousUse

We use the present perfect continuous tense to show that an action or state
started in the past and continues to the present.
Now
Past
Future
He has been living in
the U.S. since 1979.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Cyndi has been working on her family tree

since 1992.
Sergey Brin has been living in the U.S. for
more than 30 years.

We use for and since to show the time spent

on an activity from past to present.

He has been living in the U.S. since 1979.

With some verbs (live, work, study, teach, and

wear), we can use either the present perfect
or the present perfect continuous with actions
that began in the past and continue to the
present. The meaning is the same.

OR

He has lived in the U.S. since 1979.

My father is working on the family tree right
now. He has been working on it since 9 A.M.

If the action is still happening, use the

present perfect continuous, not the present
perfect.

Google has become one of the most popular

search engines.
I have had my computer for three months.

We do not use the continuous form with

nonaction verbs. See below for a list of
nonaction verbs.

I have always loved computers.

My grandmother has never used a computer.

Do not use the continuous form with always

and never.

Action: I have been thinking about doing a

family tree.
Nonaction: I have always thought that
genealogy is an interesting hobby.

Think can be an action or nonaction verb,

depending on its meaning.
Think about = action verb
Think that = nonaction verb

Nonaction: Some people have had a lot of

success in locating information.
Action: We have been having a hard time
locating information about our ancestors.

Have is usually a nonaction verb. However,

have is an action verb in these expressions:
have experience, have a hard time, have a
good time, have difficulty, and have trouble.

Nonaction verbs:
like
love
hate
want
need
prefer

know
believe
think (that)
care (about)
understand
remember

see
seem
cost
own
become
have (for possession)

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

297

EXERCISE 16

ABOUT YOU Write true statements using the present perfect

continuous with the words given and for or since. Share your
sentences with the class.
EXAMPLE work My brother has been working as a waiter for six years.

1. study English
2. work
3. live
4. use
5. study

EXERCISE 17

EXAMPLE

Read aloud each of the following present tense

questions. Another student will answer. If the answer is yes, add a
present perfect continuous question with How long have you . . . ?
ABOUT YOU

Do you play a musical instrument?

A:
B:
A:
B:

Do you play a musical instrument?

Yes. I play the piano.
How long have you been playing the piano?
Ive been playing the piano since I was a child.

1. Do you drive?
2. Do you work?
3. Do you use the Internet?
4. Do you wear glasses?
5. Do you play a musical instrument?

EXERCISE 18

EXAMPLE

Ask the teacher questions with How long . . . ? and the present
perfect continuous form of the verb given. The teacher will answer
your questions.
speak English
A: How long have you been speaking English?
B: Ive been speaking English all6 my life.
1. teach English

4. use this book

2. work at this school

5. live at your present address

3. live in this city

298 Lesson 9

We do not use the preposition for before all.

EXERCISE 19
EXAMPLE

Fill in the blanks in the following conversations. Answers may vary.

A: Do you wear glasses?
B: Yes, I

do

A: How long

.
have

been wearing

you

B: I ve been wearing

glasses?

was

glasses since I

in high school.

1. A: Are you working on your family history?

B: Yes, I am.
A: How long

you

on your

family history?
B: I

on it for about ten years.

2. A: Is your sister surfing the Internet?

B: Yes, she

A: How long

she

surfing the Internet?

B: Since she woke up this morning!

3. A: Does your father live in the U.S.?
B: Yes, he

A: How long

he been

B: He

in the U.S.?

in the U.S. since he

25 years old.
4. A: Are you studying for the test now?
B: Yes, I

A: How long
B: For

for the test?

.

5. A: Is your teacher teaching you the present perfect lesson?

B: Yes, he
A:
B: Since

.
long

you this lesson?

.

(continued )
The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

299

6. A: Are the students using the computers now?

B: Yes,

A: How long

them?

B:

they started to write their compositions.

7. A:

you using the Internet?

B: Yes, I

A: How

B:
8. A:

for two hours.

your grandparents live in the U.S.?

B: Yes, they

A: How

in the U.S.?

B: Since they

born.

9. A: Is she studying her family history?

B: Yes, she

300 Lesson 9

A: How long

B: Since she

E-Books
Before
You Read

1. Do you read a lot? What kind of books do you like to read?

2. Have you ever shopped for books on the Internet?

CD 3, TR 16

Read the following conversation. Pay special attention to the

present perfect tense.

A:
B:
A:
B:

A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:
B:
A:

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

301

9.12 The Present Perfect with Repetition from

Past to Present
We use the present perfect to talk about the repetition of an action in a time period
that started in the past and includes the present. There is a probability that this
action will occur again.
Now
Past
Future
I have read 5 books
this year.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

a. I have read 20 books this year.

b. He has downloaded over 100 books.

a. I may read more books.

b. He will probably download more books.

Up to now, one Web site has made about

250,000 books available.
I have read ten chapters in my book up
to now.

Adding the words so far and up to now

indicate that we are counting up to the
present and that more is expected.

How much money have you spent on books

this year?
Ive spent about $500 on books this year.
How many books have you bought from a
bookstore this year?
I havent bought any books from a bookstore
at all this year.

We can ask a question about repetition with

how much and how many.
To indicate zero times, we use a negative
verb + at all. There is a probability that this
action may still happen.

Compare:
a. Google had 10,000 searches a day in 1998.
b. Google has had billions of searches since
1998.
a. Cyndis List appeared for the rst time in
1996.
b. Many new genealogy Web sites have
appeared in the last fteen years.

a. We use the simple past with a time period

that is nished or closed: 1998, 50 years
ago, last week, etc.
b. We use the present perfect in a time period
that is open. There is a probability of more
repetition.

Language Note: Do not use the continuous form for repetition.

Right: I have downloaded six books this year.
Wrong: I have been downloading six books this year.

302 Lesson 9

EXERCISE 20
EXAMPLE

Ask a yes/no question with so far or up to now and the

words given. Another student will answer.
ABOUT YOU

you/come to every class

A: Have you come to every class so far?
B: Yes, I have.
OR

B: No, I havent. Ive missed three classes.

1. we / have any tests
2. this lesson / be difficult
3. the teacher / give a lot of homework
4. you / understand all the explanations
5. you / have any questions about this lesson

EXERCISE 21
EXAMPLE

Ask a question with How many . . . ? and the words

given. Talk about this month. Another student will answer.
ABOUT YOU

times / go to the post office

A: How many times have you gone to the post office this month?
B: Ive gone to the post office once this month.
OR

B: I havent gone to the post office at all this month.

1. letters / write

5. books / buy

2. times / eat in a restaurant

6. times / go to the movies

3. times / get paid

7. movies / rent

4. international calls / make

8. times / cook

EXERCISE 22

ABOUT YOU Write four questions to ask another student or your

teacher about repetition from the past to the present. Use how
much or how many. The other person will answer.
EXAMPLE How many cities have you lived in?
How many English courses have you taken at this school?

1.
2.
3.
4.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

303

9.13 The Simple Past vs. the Present Perfect

with Repetition
We use the present perfect with repetition in a present time period. There is
an expectation of more repetition. We use the simple past with repetition in a past
time period. There is no possibility of any more repetition during that period.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

How many hits has your Web site had today?

It has had over 100 hits today.
How many times have you been absent this
semester?
Ive been absent twice so far.

To show that there is an expectation of more

repetition, use the present perfect. In the
examples on the left, today and this semester
are not nished. So far indicates that the
number given may not be nal.

Last month my Web site had 5,000 hits.

How many times were you absent last
semester?

The number of occurrences cannot increase

in a past time frame, such as yesterday, last
week, last month, last semester, etc. Use the
simple past tense.

Brin and Page have added new features to

Google over the years.

Brin and Page are still alive. They can (and

probably will) add new features to Google in
the years to come.
This Web site continues to make e-books
available.

A popular Web site has made thousands of

e-books available.
Before she died, my grandmother added many
details to our family tree.
My grandmother loved to read.

Grandmother died. Therefore, all her actions

are nal. Nothing can be added to them.

Compare:
a. I have checked my e-mail twice today.
b. I checked my e-mail twice today.
a. I have downloaded two books this month.
b. I downloaded two books this month.

With a present time expression (such as today,

this week, this month, etc.), you may use
either the present perfect or the simple past.
In sentences (a), the number may not be nal.
In sentences (b), the number seems nal.

Compare:
a. In the U.S., I have had two jobs.
b. In my native country, I had ve jobs.
a. In the U.S., I have lived in three
apartments so far.
b. In my native country, I lived in two
apartments.

a. To talk about your experiences in this phase

of your life, you can use the present perfect
tense if there is an expectation for more.
b. To talk about a closed phase of your life,
use the simple past tense. For example,
if you do not plan to live in your native
country again, use the simple past tense
to talk about your experiences there.

304

Lesson 9

EXERCISE 23
EXAMPLES

Fill in the blanks with the simple past or the present

perfect to ask a question. A student from another country will answer.
How many schools have you attended in the U.S.?
Ive attended two schools in the U.S.
did you attend
How many schools
in your country?
I attended only one school in my country.
ABOUT YOU

1. How many apartments

back home?

2. How many apartments

here?

3. How many schools

in your country?

4. How many schools

in the U.S.?

5. How many jobs

in the U.S.?

6. How many jobs

in your country?

9.14 The Present Perfect with Indenite Past Time

We use the present perfect to refer to an action that occurred at an indenite
time in the past that still has importance to the present situation. Words that
show indenite time are: ever, yet, and already.
Now
?
Past
Future
Have you ever seen an
e-book?
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Have you ever downloaded a book?

No, I havent.
Have you ever Googled your own name?
Yes, I have.

A question with ever asks about any time

between the past and the present. Put ever
between the subject and the main verb.

Have you nished your book yet?

No, not yet.
Have Larry and Sergey become billionaires yet?
Yes, they have.
Have you read the story about genealogy yet?
Yes, I already have.

Yet and already refer to an indenite time in

the near past. There is an expectation that
an activity took place a short time ago.

The computer has made it possible to do

many new things.
E-books have changed the way we read books.
Cyndi Howells has created a very useful Web
site for family historians.

We can use the present perfect to talk about

the past without any reference to time.
The time is not important, not known, or is
imprecise. Using the present perfect, rather
than the simple past, shows that the past is
relevant to a present situation.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

305

EXERCISE 24
EXAMPLE

Answer the following questions with: Yes, I have;

No, I havent; or No, I never have.
ABOUT YOU

Have you ever studied programming? No, I never have.

1. Have you ever Googled your own name?
2. Have you ever researched your family history?
3. Have you ever made a family tree?
4. Have you ever used the Web to look for a person you havent seen in

a long time?

5. Have you ever added hardware to your computer?

6. Have you ever downloaded music from the Internet?
7. Have you ever used a search engine in your native language?
8. Have you ever sent photos by e-mail?
9. Have you ever received a photo by e-mail?
10. Have you ever bought something online?
11. Have you ever built a computer?

EXERCISE 25
EXAMPLE

ABOUT YOU

Answer the questions.

Have we had a test on the present perfect yet? No, not yet.
1. Have you eaten lunch yet?
2. Have we finished Lesson 8 yet?
3. Have you done todays homework yet?
4. Have we written any compositions yet?
5. Have you learned the names of all the other students yet?
6. Have you visited the teachers office yet?
7. Have we done Exercise 22 yet?
8. Have you learned the present perfect yet?
9. Have you learned all the past participles yet?

306 Lesson 9

9.15 Answering a Present Perfect Question

We can answer a present perfect question with the simple past tense when a
specic time is introduced in the answer. If a specic time is not known or
necessary, we answer with the present perfect.
EXAMPLES

EXPLANATION

Have you ever used Google?

Answer A: Yes. Ive used Google many times.
Answer B: Yes. I used Google a few hours ago.

Answer A, with many times, shows repetition

at an indenite time.
Answer B, with a few hours ago, shows a
specic time in the past.

Have you ever heard of Larry Page?

Answer A: No. Ive never heard of him.
Answer B: Yes. We read about him yesterday.

Answer A, with never, shows continuation

from past to present.
Answer B, with yesterday, shows a specic
time in the past.

Have you done your homework yet?

Answer A: Yes. Ive done it already.
Answer B: Yes. I did it this morning.

Answer A, with already, is indenite.

Answer B, with this morning, shows a specic
time.

Have Brin and Page become rich?

Answer A: Yes, they have.
Answer B: Yes. They became rich before they
were 30 years old.

Answer A shows no time reference.

Answer B, with before they were 30 years old,
refers to a specic time.

EXERCISE

EXAMPLES

Ask a question with Have you ever . . . ? and

the present perfect tense of the verb in parentheses ( ). Another
student will answer. To answer with a specic time, use the past
tense. To answer with a frequency response, use the present perfect
tense. You may work with a partner.
ABOUT YOU

(go) to the zoo

A: Have you ever gone to the zoo?
B: Yes. Ive gone there many times.
(go) to Disneyland
A: Have you ever gone to Disneyland?
B: Yes. I went there last summer.
1. (work) in a factory

7. (eat) raw7 fish

2. (lose) a glove

8. (study) calculus

3. (see) an e-book

9. (meet) a famous person

4. (fall) out of bed

10. (go) to an art museum

5. (make) a mistake in English

11. (download) a book

grammar

6. (tell) a lie
7

Raw means not cooked.

12. (break) a window

13. (buy) a book online

(continued )

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

307

EXERCISE 27
EXAMPLES

14. (download) music

17. (be) in love

15. (go) to Las Vegas

18. (write) a poem

16. (travel) by ship

19. (send) a text message

Write ve questions with ever to ask your teacher.

Your teacher will answer.
Have you ever gotten a parking ticket?
ABOUT YOU

Have you ever visited Poland?

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

EXERCISE 28
EXAMPLE

Ask a student from another country questions using

the words given. The other student will answer.
ABOUT YOU

your country / have a woman president

A: Has your country ever had a woman president?
B: Yes, it has. We had a woman president from 1975 to 1979.
1. your country / have a civil war
2. your countrys leader / visit the U.S.
3. an American president / visit your country
4. your country / have a woman president
5. you / go back to visit your country
6. there / be an earthquake in your hometown

EXERCISE 29
EXAMPLE

Ask a student who has recently arrived in this country

if he or she has done these things yet. The other student will answer.
ABOUT YOU

buy a car
A: Have you bought a car yet?
B: Yes, I have. OR No, I havent.

I bought a car last month.

1. find a doctor

6. write to your family

2. make any new friends

7. get a credit card

3. open a bank account

8. buy a computer

4. save any money

9. get a telephone

5. think about your future

308 Lesson 9

OR

10. get a Social Security card

EXERCISE 30

Fill in the blanks with the correct tense of the verb in parentheses ( ).
Also ll in other missing words.
A: Your Spanish is a little different from my Spanish. Where are you from?

CD 3, TR 17

B: Im from Guatemala.

long have you been here?

A: How
B: I

(example: you/be)

(1 only/be)

here for about six months. Where are you from?

A: Miami. My family comes from Cuba. They

(2 leave)

(3 be)

Cuba in 1962, after the revolution.

born in the U.S. Im starting

to become interested in my familys history.

I

(4 read)

several magazine articles about

genealogy so far. Its fascinating. Are you

interested in your familys history?
B: Of course I am. I

B: I

(8 you/start)

(9 start)
(11 find)

a long time.

(6)

on a family tree for many years.

(7 work)

A: When

interested in it

(5 be)

when I

(10 be)

16 years old. Over the years,

a lot of interesting information about my family.

Some of my ancestors were Mayans and some were from Spain and
France. In fact, my great-great grandfather was a Spanish prince.
A: How
B: I

(12 you/find)

(13 use)

all that information?

the Internet a lot. I

(14 also/go)

to many

libraries to get more information.

A:

to Spain or France to look at records there?

(15 you/ever/go)

B: Last summer I

(16 go)

to Spain, and I

(17 find)

a lot of

information while I was there.

A: How many ancestors
B: So

(19)

(18 you/find)
(20 find)

so far?
about 50, but Im still looking.
(continued )

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

309

A: How can I get started?

B: Theres a great Web site called Cyndis List. Ill give you the Web

address, and you can get started there.

Summary of Lesson 9
1. Compare the present perfect and the simple past.
PRESENT PERFECT

SIMPLE PAST

The action of the sentence began in the past

and includes the present:
now
past
future

The action of the sentence is

completely past:
now
past

My father has been in the U.S. since 2002.

My father came to the U.S. in 2002.

My father has had his job in the U.S. for

many years.

My father was in Canada for two years before

he came to the U.S.

How long have you been interested in genealogy?

When did you start your family tree?

Ive always wanted to learn more about my

familys history.

When I was a child, I always wanted to spend

time with my grandparents.

PRESENT PERFECT

SIMPLE PAST

Repetition from past to present:

now
past
future

Repetition in a past time period:

now
past

We have had four tests so far.

We had two tests last semester.

She has used the Internet three times today.

She used the Internet three times yesterday.

PRESENT PERFECT

SIMPLE PAST

The action took place at an indenite time

between the past and the present:
now
past
future
?

The action took place at a denite time in the

past:

Have you ever made a family tree?

Did you make a family tree last month?

Ive done the homework already.

I did the homework last night.

Have you visited the art museum yet?

Did you visit the art museum last month?

310

Lesson 9

future

future

now
past

future

2. Compare the present perfect and the present perfect continuous.

PRESENT PERFECTUSE WITH:

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUSUSE WITH:

A continuous action (nonaction verbs):

I have had my car for ve years.

A continuous action (action verbs):

Ive been driving a car for 20 years.

A repeated action:
Cyndis Web site has won several awards.

A nonstop action:
The U.S. Census has been keeping
records since the 1880s.

Question with how many:

How many times have you gone to New
York?

Question with how long:

How long has he been living in New York?

An action that is at an indenite time,

completely in the past:
Cyndi has created a Web site.

An action that started in the past and is still

happening:
Cyndi has been working on her family
history since 1992.

Editing Advice
1. Dont confuse the -ing form and the past participle.
taking

She has been taken a test for two hours.

given

She has giving him a present.

2. Use the present perfect, not the simple present, to describe an

action or state that started in the past and continues to the present.
had

He has a car for two years.

have
ed
How long do you work in a factory?

3. Use for, not since, with the amount of time.

for

Ive been studying English since three months.

4. Use the simple past, not the present perfect, with a specific past time.
came

He has come to the U.S. ve months ago.

did

When have you come to the U.S.?

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

311

5. Use the simple past, not the present perfect, in a since clause.
came

He has learned a lot of English since he has come to the U.S.

6. Use the correct word order.
never seen

He has seen never a French movie.

ever gone

Have you gone ever to France?

7. Use the correct word order in questions.
have you

How long you have been a teacher?

8. Use yet for negative statements; use already for affirmative statements.
yet

I havent eaten dinner already.

9. Dont forget the verb have in the present perfect (continuous).
have

I been living in New York for two years.

10. Dont forget the -ed of the past participle.

ed

Hes listen to that CD many times.

11. Use the present perfect, not the continuous form, with always, never,

yet, already, ever, and how many.

gone

How many times have you been going to Paris?

visited

Ive never been visiting Paris.

12. Dont use time after how long.

How long time have you had your job?

312

Lesson 9

Editing Quiz
Some of the shaded words and phrases have mistakes. Find the
mistakes and correct them. If the shaded words are correct, write C.
have you
C
How many changes you have made since you came to the U.S.? For our
(example)

(example)

journal, our teacher asked us to answer this question. I have come to the
(1)

U.S. two and a half years ago. Things have changing a lot for me since
(2)

Ive come to the U.S. Heres a list of some of the changes:

(3)

1. Since the past two years I am studying English. I knew a little English
(4)

(5)

(6)

before I came here, but my English has improve a lot.

(7)

(8)

2. Now I have a drivers permit and Im learning how to drive. I havent took
(9)

the drivers test yet because Im not ready. I havent practiced enough
(10)

already.
(11)

3. Ive been eaten a lot of different foods like hamburgers and pizza.
(12)

I never ate those in my country. Unfortunately, I been gaining weight.

(13)

(14)

4. I started to work in a factory three months ago. Since I have started

(15)

(16)

(17)

my job, I havent have much time for fun.

(18)

5. Ive gone to several museums in this city. But Ive taken never a trip to
(19)

(20)

another American city. Id like to visit New York, but I havent saved
(21)

enough money yet.

(22)

6. Ive been living in three apartments so far. In my country, I lived in

(23)

(24)

a house with my family.

7. Ive answered the following questions about a thousand times so far:
(25)

Where do you come from? and How long time you have been in
(26)

(27)

the U.S.? Im getting tired of always answering the same question.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

313

Lesson 9 Test/Review
PART 1

Fill in the blanks with the simple past, the present perfect, or the
present perfect continuous form by using the words in parentheses ( ).
In some cases, more than one answer is possible.
Conversation 1
A:

Have

you ever studied computer programming?

(example: study)

B: Yes. I

it in college. And I

(1 study)

(2 work)

as a programmer

for five years. But my job is boring.

A:

you ever

B: Yes. Since I

about changing jobs?

(3 think)

a child, I

(4 be)

actor. When I was in college, I

since I

(7 graduate)

,I

(5 always/want)
(6 be)

to be an

in a few plays, but

time to act.

(8 not/have)

Conversation 2
A: How long

in the U.S.?

(1 you/be)

B: For about two years.

A:

a lot since you

(2 your life/change)

B: Oh, yes. Before I

(4 come)

Since I came here, I

A:

(8 move)

(6 live)

three times so far. And I plan to move again at

A: Do you plan to have a roommate?

314

Lesson 9

with my family.

alone.

the end of the year.

B: Yes, but I

(5 live)

to the U.S.?

in the same apartment in this city?

(7 always/live)

B: No. I

here, I

(3 come)

(9 not/find)

one yet.

PART 2

Fill in the blanks with the simple present, the simple past,
the present perfect, or the present perfect continuous form
of the verb in parentheses ( ). In some cases, more than one
answer is possible.
Paragraph 1
I
I

the Internet every day. I

(1 use)

to use it when I

(3 start)

interested in genealogy.

information about my fathers ancestors. My grandfather

(6 find)

with us now and likes to tell us about his past. He

(7 live)

born in Italy, but he

(9 come)

(8 be)

here when he was very young, so he

here most of his life. He doesnt remember much about Italy.

(10 live)

it for many years.

on my family tree for three years. Last month,

(5 work)

(4 become)

(2 use)

(11 not/find)

any information about my mothers ancestors yet.

Paragraph 2
I
I

(3 live)
(4 be)

to the U.S. when a war

(1 come)

(6 arrive)

and now I

(8 speak)

out in my country.

in the U.S. for five years. At first, everything

very hard for me. I

. But I

(2 break)

(5 not/know)

(7 study)

it pretty well. I

any English when

English for the past five years,

( 9 not/start)

my college

education yet, but I plan to next semester.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

315

Expansion
Classroom
Activities

1 Form a group of between four and six students. Find out who in
your group has done each of these things. Write that persons name in
the blank.
a.

has made a family tree.

b.

has found a good job.

c.

has been on a ship.

d.

has never eaten Mexican food.

e.

hasnt done todays homework yet.

f.

has never seen a French movie.

g.

has taken a trip to Canada.

h.

has acted in a play.

i.

has gone swimming in the Pacific Ocean.

j.

has flown in a helicopter.

k.

has served in the military.

l.

has worked in a hotel.

m.

has never studied chemistry.

n.

has taken the TOEFL8 test.

o.

has just gotten a green card.

p.

has downloaded music from the Internet.

2 Draw your family tree for the past three generations, if you can.
Form a small group and tell the others in your group a little about your
family.

Talk

About It

1 Why do you think so many people are interested in genealogy?

What is valuable about nding your familys history?
2 What are the advantages of an e-book over a paper book? What are
the disadvantages?
3 Do you think people spend too much time surng the Internet?
The TOEFLTM is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. Many U.S. colleges and universities require foreign students
to take this test.

316

Lesson 9

Write
About It

1 Write about new technology that youve started using recently. How
has that made your life different?
2 Write a composition about one of the following:
How your life has changed since (choose one):
a. you came to the U.S.
b. you got married
c. you had a baby
d. you graduated from high school
e. you started to study here

Changes in My Life
My life has changed a lot since I started college. When I
was in high school, I didnt have many responsibilities. Since
I started college, Ive had to work and study at the same
time. When I was in high school, I used to hang out with my
friends. Now that Im in college, I havent had much time for
my friends . . .

For more practice using grammar in context,

please visit our Web site.

The Present Perfect; The Present Perfect Continuous

317