Present Perfect Explanations Present perfect simple The present perfect simple is used to describe recent events. I've left my shopping bag behind. The event happened in the past, but there is a result in the present. I've broken my arm, as you can see. No definite time is given for the event, but to emphasise the idea of recentness we can use just. I've just broken my watch. We can also describe events that have not happened. I haven't found her phone number yet. m Present perfect simple No definite time is given for the events. They are a series of actions in our life up to now. I've been to France three times. After It's/This is the first/second time we use the present perfect. It also refers to our life up to now. This is the first time I have eaten Japanese food. m Compared with past simple Events described using the past simple have definite times. J went to France last year. I ate at a Japanese restaurant on Saturday. If we think of a definite place for an event, this may suggest a definite time. J left my shopping bag on the train. Extended or ■ Present perfect simple repeated events The present perfect simple describes a state which lasts up to the present. I've lived in this house for five years. The present perfect simple can describe a habitual action in a period of time up to the present. I've never worn a tie to work, and I refuse to start now! m Present perfect continuous The present perfect continuous can also describe a state which lasts up to the present moment. I've been living in this house for five years. There is little difference in meaning between simple and continuous in this case, or with How long questions. How long have you lived/been living in this house? The verbs wait, sit, lie, stay prefer the present perfect continuous. I've been waiting for ages. 7 Recent events Indefinite events Present Perfect For, since, ago See Grammar 14 for contrast between these time expressions. ■ Completed action The present perfect simple can show that an action is complete. I've finished my homework1. If we say how many or how much we use the simple form. A certain amount has been completed. I've written ten pages of my homework'. m Not completed The present perfect continuous can show that an action is not completed, o that it has finished recently. We've been walking for hours! Let's have a rest. I've been digging the garden. That's why I'm so dirty! ■ Present result or action in progress We use the present perfect simple if our attention is on the present result. I've written my homework. Now I can watch the television. We use the present perfect continuous if our attention is on the action in progress. I've been writing my homework all evening! I didn't know it would take so long. Present Perfect Present Perfect 2 Underline the most suitable verb form in each sentence. a) Did you see/Have you seen my bag anywhere? I can't find it. b) Larry is writing/has been writing/has written his novel for the last two years. c) From the minute he got up this morning Gary asked/has asked/has been asking silly questions! d) Have you given/Did you give Helen my message when you have seen/saw her? e) Sorry, could you say that again? I didn't listen/haven't listened/haven't been listening to you. f) The police think that they found/have found your wallet, so call this number. g) Did you two meet/Have you two met before? Eric, this is Amanda. h) Did you meet/Have you met anyone interesting at the reception? 3 Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form. a) I'm sorry about not coming last week. I (have)............h$.4„....................a cold and so I (stay)........................................at home. b) Wait a minute! I (have)........................................an idea. Let's go and see Roger. We last (see)........................................him a long time ago. c) It's nice to be back here in London. This is the second time I (come) ........................................here. d) I'm phoning about your bicycle for sale, which I (see)..................................... in the local paper, (you sell).....................................it? Or is it still available? e) This place is in a terrible mess! What on earth (you do).................................? f) And now for an item of local news. Hampshire police (find) .......................................the dangerous snake which (go) .......................................missing earlier in the week. g) This tooth (kill)........................................me lately! So I (make) ........................................an appointment with the dentist for next Tuesday. h) I can't give you the report I (promise)........................................for today because I (not finish)........................................it. 4 Underline the most suitable time expression. a) I haven't seen Gerry for/since a long time. How is he? b) It's ages ago/since I last went to a football match. c) I've written to Deborah last week/recently. d) What have you been doing today/yesterday? e) Have you eaten Italian food before/already? f) I've been living here in/since the end of last year. g) Actually I had dinner with Sue last night/lately. h) I've been trying to get in touch with David for ages/for the last time. i) Terry hasn't been to Edinburgh since/when we went there together, j) I can't remember how long/when I've had this watch. Present Perfect 5 Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. You must use between two and five words, including the word given. a) Steve started learning the violin a month ago. learning Steve.....................^^mk.kmÉM.....................the violin for a month. b) I haven't been to an Indian restaurant for ages, since It's ages............................................................................an Indian restaurant. c) When she heard the results, Mary began to feel more confident, become Since hearing the results...........................................................................more confident. d) The last time Nancy came here was in 1986. since Nancy hasn't............................................................................................ 1986. e) This is my first visit to Japan, time This is the first....................................................................................to Japan. f) How long have Helen and Robert been married? get When...................................................................................................married? g) Jack bought those trousers last month, and has been wearing them ever since. for Jack has...............................................................................................a month. h) It's a long time since our last conversation, spoken We.....................................................................................................long time. i) Thanks, but I had something to eat earlier, already Thanks, but I've...........................................................................................eat. j) This is my first game of water-polo, played I..............................................................................................................before.