Grammar - Reference 7
Grammar - Reference 7
3 The Present Perfect expresses a past action with results in the 5 Use the Present Perfect and the words in brackets to
present. It is often a recent past action. describe these situations.
I’ve lost my wallet. (I haven’t got it now.) 1 She can’t find her mobile phone. (She / lose / mobile phone)
The taxi’s arrived. (It’s outside the door now.)
She’s lost her mobile phone.
Has the postman been? (Is there a parcel for me?)
2 His plate is empty. (He / eat / everything)
The adverbs just, already, and yet are common with this use.
Yet is used in questions and negatives. 3 He’s carrying a suitcase. (He / be / on / holiday)
She’s just had some good news.
I’ve already had breakfast.
4 Her leg is in plaster. (She / break / leg)
Has the postman been yet?
It’s 11.00 and she hasn’t got up yet.
5 I haven’t got any more money. (I / spend / all / my / money)
7.2 Present Perfect and Past Simple
6 The final score is 3–1 to our team. (Our / team / win / match)
1 Read and compare the use of the Past Simple and the Present
Perfect in these sentences.
I lived in Paris for two years, from 2007–2009. (The action is 6 Find and correct the mistake in each sentence.
finished.)
1 Arthur knows Monica for a year and a half.
I’ve lived in London since 2009. (I still do. The action is not
finished.) Arthur’s known Monica for a year and a half.
I’ve been to Scotland. (This is an experience in my life.) 2 She’s had a headache for this morning.
I went with my husband two years ago. (At a definite past time.) 3 Jane was a lawyer for thirty years and she still enjoys it.
‘Have you ever flown in a helicopter?’ ‘Yes, I have’. 4 How long do you live in this village?
‘Where did you fly?’ ‘I flew over New York.’ 5 We’ve been to Jamaica in 2009.
‘Oh dear, I’ve broken my glasses?’ 6 How long do you have your cat?
‘What happened?’
7 They’ve known each other since five days.
‘I dropped them.’
8 Gareth had his new job for nine months. He loves it.
2 These are common time expressions used with the Past Simple 9 I lived here for five years, but I’m going to move soon.
and the Present Perfect.
10 I am here since last week.
Past Simple Present Perfect
7 Choose the best answer.
last week since Monday 1 Did you talk / Have you talked to Derek yesterday?
yesterday ever
2 I never went / I’ve never been to Croatia.
the day before yesterday never
in 1999 just 3 Did you ever dream / Have you ever dreamt of being famous?
on July 21st already 4 I never read / I’ve never read a Harry Potter book.
three months ago yet 5 I never saw / I’ve never seen you before.
for two weeks (but now ended) for two weeks (and continues) 6 Did you ever hear / Have you ever heard of an actor called
Kathryn Daubney?
7 I’ve never heard / I never heard this song before.
8 Have you seen / Did you see the news last night?
9 I never won / I’ve never won a competition in my life.
10 He never met / He’s never met his grandfather. He died before
he was born.