Perfect Tenses
Perfect Tenses
Perfect Tenses
:Finished Actions
A. Present perfect:
1. Past experiences when you don't say when something happened. (We can use Superlative and the first,
second, last time, etc.)
This is the best movie I have ever seen.
Mike is the first friends I have got in school.
I have visited this place before.
Have you ever watched a movie with your parents? (Have you experienced it even once in your life?)
Hint:
There's a difference between a story and an experience.
Neil Armstrong has been the first man on the moon. This is a story due to the fact it can't be repeated.
Max is the first dog I have got. (Max is the first dog) is in the present; therefore, it's an experience.
2. With result in the present (we can use just, already, yet)
Examples:
I haven't done any of my assignment yet. ("Yet" shows the delaying of the action in the present)
She has already gone ("already" emphasize the completion of an action in the present)
The have just arrived ("Just" emphasize the completion of an action in the present)
("just-already-yet" Show the result in the present themselves, no need for another sentence)
For other sentences:
I have studied so hard for the exam. I think I'm ready. (There is another sentence to show the result in the
present)
She has killed her husband. She is in jail.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
:Unfinished Actions
Actions started in the past and is still happening now: (we could use for, since, all day, recently, etc.)
She has been calling you all day. (Repeated till now and not finished)
We have been playing for a long time. What time is it now?
B. Present Perfect:
1. When say or ask How many/How much?
They've seen each other twice this week.
I've failed three times in this subject.
2. With nonaction verbs. (Be, know, have, etc.)
Hint:
Since/For are often used for unfinished actions, but they could also be used for finished actions.
I have played here since I was a kid. It's really hard to leave this club.
I have been in Yemen for my entire life.
10. The students ___________________ (finish) their exams. They’re very happy.
11. The baby’s face is really dirty! What ___________________ (he / eat)?
12. Iona is exhausted these days. She ___________________ (work) too hard recently.
17. I ___________________ (read) your book all day. It’s very interesting, but I’m only on chapter 2.
25. She ___________________ (write) her essay and ___________________ (send) it to her professor.
26. He ___________________ (see) the film ‘The King’s Speech’ about six times.
27. We ___________________ (paint) our living room. I think it looks a lot better.
29. It ___________________ (not / rain) for three hours! Only about one hour.
32. I ___________________ (call) John for hours and hours and he hasn’t answered. I’m really angry with him!
37. She ___________________ (eat) chocolate all morning, so she feels sick.
38. I ___________________ (paint) my house all day, but it’s not finished yet.
40. The writer ___________________ (deserve) this award for a long time.
42. The kitchen is a complete mess! What ___________________ (the children / do)?
51. I ___________________ (work) in the garden all day and I need a rest.
53. David feels great these days. He ___________________ (get) up early lately.