Lesson 1
The basic structure of the present perfect is:
Subject
I You We They The students Nancy and Julia Maria and I He Marco The teacher She Maria My mother It The car |
have or has (auxiliary part of verb)
have has (3rd person singular) |
past participle (main part of verb)
worked (regular) cleaned (regular) lived (regular) eaten (irregular) seen (irregular) gone (irregular) |
Above you see the basic mechanics of the present perfect: have/has + past participle. She has eaten a lot. (Verb= has eaten. That's 2 parts, just like the title of the grammar, Present Perfect, which is 2 words. But together, 'has eaten' is 1 complete verb. Has is the auxiliary part of the verb and eaten is the main part of the verb in past participle form.
Why do we use the present perfect? The first reason is to tell someone 'how long' we've done something. For example, I have lived in L.A. for 15 years. ( I started living here 15 years ago, and I still live here).
The present perfect tells us an action began in the past but continues into now.
He has lived in L.A. for 10 years. ('has lived'--still happening. He still lives here)He lived in L.A. for 10 years. ('lived'---finished. He doesn't live here anymore. This is the simple past)
The first reason to use the present perfect is in answer to the question How long?
How long have you lived in L.A.? I have lived in L.A. for 15 years.
We use the present perfect here to say an action started in the past, but it continues into now.
I didn't always live in L.A. I moved here in 1999. But from 1999, I was in L.A. and I'm still in L.A. That's the present perfect.
If someone said, "I lived in L.A.," that would mean they did that in the past, and that they no longer live in L.A.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In the present perfect, 'have' or 'has' do not mean to possess. They only function as helping verbs to the main verb.
Incorrect: She hasn't children. (No. 'Hasn't' must be followed by a past participle. You can't use 'hasn't' to mean not have in American English).
Simple Present: She doesn't have children. (no possession; 'have' is the main verb!)
Present Perfect Basic Structure Practice
Complete the sentences with have/has and the past participle. If you see ‘negative,’ use ‘haven’t or hasn’t’.
1. I __________________ ______________ breakfast. (eat)
2. She ________________ _______________ the test. (begin)
3. We _______________ ________________ that movie. (see)
4. You _____________ ___________________ for me for many years. (work)
5. They _____________ ___________________ a promotion. (get)
6. He ______________ _____________________ the flu. (catch)
7. It _______________ _______________________. (sell)
8. Maria ___________ ____________________ her hair. (cut)
9. Jose ______________ ____________________ a lot. (drink)
10. Lucia and Pedro _______________ ______________ to Peru. (fly)
11. My parents ______________ ____________________ for dinner. (come)
12. My sister ________________ ___________________ a job. (find)
13. I __________________ _____________________ a computer yet. (negative—buy)
14. She __________________ __________________ the dishes. (negative—do)
15. We _________________ ______________________ dinner. (negative—eat)
16. The student ______________ ___________________ the verbs. (negative—study)
17. The mail _______________ ________________________. (negative—come)
18. My friends ________________ __________________ me. (negative—call)
19. The race ________________ _____________________. (negative—begin)
20. The leaves ________________ _____________________. (negative—fall)
Since and For
When someone asks us 'how long...?', we answer using since or for to give them an idea about the time. Since points to when the action began: I've lived in L.A. since 1999. For shows the total amount of time from the beginning of the action until now: I've lived in L.A. for 15 years.
Examples: for 6 months, for 2 days, for 8 years, for 3 weeks, for 10 minutes, for two semesters.
Examples: since 10 o'clock, since 1990, since Monday, since February, since my birthday (since I was 15, since I came to the U.S.)
Here are some links to practice since/for and the present perfect on the internet.
http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentPerfect1D.html
http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/present-perfect-with-for-and-since
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-19438.php
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/upperf1.htm
http://www.better-english.com/easier/forsince.htm
http://youronlinenglishclass.com.pt/Quiz/present_perfect_forandsince.htm
Find Someone Who, Teacher Dictated Questions
1. How long have you lived in L.A?
2. How long have you studied English?
3. How long have you been married or single?
4. How long have you lived in your house or apartment?
5. How long have you worked in your job?
6. How long have you had your hairstyle?
7. How long have you had your shoes?
8. How long have you had a cell phone?
9. How long have you used the internet?
10. How long have you driven a car?
11. How long have you ridden a bicycle?
12. How long have you drunk coffee?
Why do we use the present perfect? The first reason is to tell someone 'how long' we've done something. For example, I have lived in L.A. for 15 years. ( I started living here 15 years ago, and I still live here).
The present perfect tells us an action began in the past but continues into now.
He has lived in L.A. for 10 years. ('has lived'--still happening. He still lives here)He lived in L.A. for 10 years. ('lived'---finished. He doesn't live here anymore. This is the simple past)
The first reason to use the present perfect is in answer to the question How long?
How long have you lived in L.A.? I have lived in L.A. for 15 years.
We use the present perfect here to say an action started in the past, but it continues into now.
I didn't always live in L.A. I moved here in 1999. But from 1999, I was in L.A. and I'm still in L.A. That's the present perfect.
If someone said, "I lived in L.A.," that would mean they did that in the past, and that they no longer live in L.A.
SPECIAL NOTE:
In the present perfect, 'have' or 'has' do not mean to possess. They only function as helping verbs to the main verb.
Incorrect: She hasn't children. (No. 'Hasn't' must be followed by a past participle. You can't use 'hasn't' to mean not have in American English).
Simple Present: She doesn't have children. (no possession; 'have' is the main verb!)
Present Perfect Basic Structure Practice
Complete the sentences with have/has and the past participle. If you see ‘negative,’ use ‘haven’t or hasn’t’.
1. I __________________ ______________ breakfast. (eat)
2. She ________________ _______________ the test. (begin)
3. We _______________ ________________ that movie. (see)
4. You _____________ ___________________ for me for many years. (work)
5. They _____________ ___________________ a promotion. (get)
6. He ______________ _____________________ the flu. (catch)
7. It _______________ _______________________. (sell)
8. Maria ___________ ____________________ her hair. (cut)
9. Jose ______________ ____________________ a lot. (drink)
10. Lucia and Pedro _______________ ______________ to Peru. (fly)
11. My parents ______________ ____________________ for dinner. (come)
12. My sister ________________ ___________________ a job. (find)
13. I __________________ _____________________ a computer yet. (negative—buy)
14. She __________________ __________________ the dishes. (negative—do)
15. We _________________ ______________________ dinner. (negative—eat)
16. The student ______________ ___________________ the verbs. (negative—study)
17. The mail _______________ ________________________. (negative—come)
18. My friends ________________ __________________ me. (negative—call)
19. The race ________________ _____________________. (negative—begin)
20. The leaves ________________ _____________________. (negative—fall)
Since and For
When someone asks us 'how long...?', we answer using since or for to give them an idea about the time. Since points to when the action began: I've lived in L.A. since 1999. For shows the total amount of time from the beginning of the action until now: I've lived in L.A. for 15 years.
Examples: for 6 months, for 2 days, for 8 years, for 3 weeks, for 10 minutes, for two semesters.
Examples: since 10 o'clock, since 1990, since Monday, since February, since my birthday (since I was 15, since I came to the U.S.)
Here are some links to practice since/for and the present perfect on the internet.
http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentPerfect1D.html
http://www.ecenglish.com/learnenglish/lessons/present-perfect-with-for-and-since
http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-19438.php
http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/330/grammar/upperf1.htm
http://www.better-english.com/easier/forsince.htm
http://youronlinenglishclass.com.pt/Quiz/present_perfect_forandsince.htm
Find Someone Who, Teacher Dictated Questions
1. How long have you lived in L.A?
2. How long have you studied English?
3. How long have you been married or single?
4. How long have you lived in your house or apartment?
5. How long have you worked in your job?
6. How long have you had your hairstyle?
7. How long have you had your shoes?
8. How long have you had a cell phone?
9. How long have you used the internet?
10. How long have you driven a car?
11. How long have you ridden a bicycle?
12. How long have you drunk coffee?
Lesson 2
Here is a list of the essential irregular verbs. Below is are audio recordings so you can practice at home.
new_irreg_past_past_part_list.docx | |
File Size: | 17 kb |
File Type: | docx |
new_irreg_past_part_list_rhyme.docx | |
File Size: | 15 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 3
We began to look at the 2nd major use of the present perfect---with 'already' and 'yet'.
We use 'already' when something happened before now. It is 7:30 in the morning. Jim has already eaten.
It can also be used when something happens earlier than we expect. For example, he's only 14 but he has already been in jail twice!
We use 'yet' when something didn't happen, we're still waiting for it to happen. It's 8:30 in the morning. Karla hasn't eaten yet.
It also is used when something doesn't happen and it's late. For example,
Note that already is for the positive: I have already eaten, she has already gone to work, they have already taken the test.
Yet is for the negative: We haven't studied yet, She hasn't woken up yet, They haven't paid their bills yet.
Where do we put 'already?' We put it between have/has and the past participle: She has already eaten. They have already left.
Where do we put 'yet?' At the end. I haven't studied yet. They haven't bought anything yet. He hasn't called me yet.
Here's an exercise we did in class. pos= positive, neg=negative
We use 'already' when something happened before now. It is 7:30 in the morning. Jim has already eaten.
It can also be used when something happens earlier than we expect. For example, he's only 14 but he has already been in jail twice!
We use 'yet' when something didn't happen, we're still waiting for it to happen. It's 8:30 in the morning. Karla hasn't eaten yet.
It also is used when something doesn't happen and it's late. For example,
Note that already is for the positive: I have already eaten, she has already gone to work, they have already taken the test.
Yet is for the negative: We haven't studied yet, She hasn't woken up yet, They haven't paid their bills yet.
Where do we put 'already?' We put it between have/has and the past participle: She has already eaten. They have already left.
Where do we put 'yet?' At the end. I haven't studied yet. They haven't bought anything yet. He hasn't called me yet.
Here's an exercise we did in class. pos= positive, neg=negative
pres_perf_already_yet_1.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 4
We looked at the 3rd reason to use the present perfect. It is with the question 'ever?' Ever means anytime in your life, since you were born. We use it when an action is rare--when we think probably the person hasn't done it.
Have you ever (in all your life) met a famous person?
Have you ever been to New York?
Have you ever been on TV?
If the answer is yes, just answer positively?
Yes, I have met a famous person.
I have been to New York.
I have been on TV.
If the answer is no, use 'have' + never
No, I have never met a famous person.
No, I have never been to New York.
No, I have never been on TV.
Here are some questions students practiced with. You may answer them at home in writing.
Have you ever (in all your life) met a famous person?
Have you ever been to New York?
Have you ever been on TV?
If the answer is yes, just answer positively?
Yes, I have met a famous person.
I have been to New York.
I have been on TV.
If the answer is no, use 'have' + never
No, I have never met a famous person.
No, I have never been to New York.
No, I have never been on TV.
Here are some questions students practiced with. You may answer them at home in writing.
have_you_ever_.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 5
The fourth use of the present perfect is when using a present time frame.
Today, This week, This month, This year, This morning, Tonight, This winter, This semester, and so far (up until now).
When we use these words, we are talking about a present time frame.
Today, I have drunk 2 cups of coffee. (today isn't over, it started last night and continues now; it's possible I will drink another cup).
This year I have gone to the dentist once. (since January 1, 2013----but it's probable that I'll go again)
The expression so far is not exact. The speaker is referring to a time frame that the listener understands.
We have taken one test so far. (up until now, in this semester)
Here are some questions I projected onto the board for students to ask each other. After, they wrote the answers for themselves for the first 6 questions.
1. How many classes have you missed this month?
2. How many car accidents have you had in your life?
3. How many times have you gone to the dentist this year?
4. How many times have you eaten out this week?
5. How many times have you checked your e-mail today?
6. How many times have you eaten meat this week?
1. How many times have you cooked this week?
2. How many sodas have you drunk this week?
3. How many times have you gone shopping this week?
4. How many times have you gone to the bathroom today?
5. How many times have you gotten sick this year?
6. How many phone calls have you made today?
Today, This week, This month, This year, This morning, Tonight, This winter, This semester, and so far (up until now).
When we use these words, we are talking about a present time frame.
Today, I have drunk 2 cups of coffee. (today isn't over, it started last night and continues now; it's possible I will drink another cup).
This year I have gone to the dentist once. (since January 1, 2013----but it's probable that I'll go again)
The expression so far is not exact. The speaker is referring to a time frame that the listener understands.
We have taken one test so far. (up until now, in this semester)
Here are some questions I projected onto the board for students to ask each other. After, they wrote the answers for themselves for the first 6 questions.
1. How many classes have you missed this month?
2. How many car accidents have you had in your life?
3. How many times have you gone to the dentist this year?
4. How many times have you eaten out this week?
5. How many times have you checked your e-mail today?
6. How many times have you eaten meat this week?
1. How many times have you cooked this week?
2. How many sodas have you drunk this week?
3. How many times have you gone shopping this week?
4. How many times have you gone to the bathroom today?
5. How many times have you gotten sick this year?
6. How many phone calls have you made today?
Lesson 6
Here is additional practice of the Present Perfect using present time frames.
present_perfect_this_week_so_far.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Lesson 7
I have just I have recently
We use just when an action happened very shortly before now--maybe 5 minutes, 10 minutes.
Do you want some pizza? No, I have just eaten a sandwich. (maybe 15 minutes ago)
Look at the baby. She's so cute. She has just woken up.
Oh, no. I've just heard some bad news.
We use recently when something happened maybe a couple days ago, a week or a few weeks ago.
I have recently moved to a new apartment. (maybe 6 weeks ago)
She has recently started a new job. (maybe 3 weeks ago)
They've recently had a new baby. (maybe a month ago)
Students did a dialogue in class.
A: Where are you?
B. I'm at the park. I have just played a game of tennis.
If you want more practice, pick 8 places and write sentences like in the B example above.
1. I'm at the supermarket. I have just bought some groceries.
2. I'm at the movie theater. I have just seen a great movie.
We use just when an action happened very shortly before now--maybe 5 minutes, 10 minutes.
Do you want some pizza? No, I have just eaten a sandwich. (maybe 15 minutes ago)
Look at the baby. She's so cute. She has just woken up.
Oh, no. I've just heard some bad news.
We use recently when something happened maybe a couple days ago, a week or a few weeks ago.
I have recently moved to a new apartment. (maybe 6 weeks ago)
She has recently started a new job. (maybe 3 weeks ago)
They've recently had a new baby. (maybe a month ago)
Students did a dialogue in class.
A: Where are you?
B. I'm at the park. I have just played a game of tennis.
If you want more practice, pick 8 places and write sentences like in the B example above.
1. I'm at the supermarket. I have just bought some groceries.
2. I'm at the movie theater. I have just seen a great movie.
Lesson 8
There is at least one mistake in each sentence. See if you can find the error and correct the sentence.
pres_perf_correct_these_errors.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Links for more Present Perfect practice online.
Here are some links to practice the present perfect more:http://www.tolearnenglish.com/exercises/exercise-english-2/exercise-english-17320.php
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/presperf3b.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/present_perfect_statements.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_1.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_2.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_3.htm
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/290.html
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-perfect_quiz.htm http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect1.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect2.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect3.htm
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/presperf3b.html
http://www.englisch-hilfen.de/en/exercises/tenses/present_perfect_statements.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_1.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_2.htm
http://www.englishbee.net/grammar/present_perfect/exer/pft_3.htm
http://www.usingenglish.com/quizzes/290.html
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-perfect_quiz.htm http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect1.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect2.htm
http://www.better-english.com/grammar/presentperfect3.htm