UNIT
Present perfect simple; Present perfect simple or Past simple Affirmative
Regular verbs:
I have worked / You have lived / She has attended / They have played.
Irregular verbs:
I have been / You have spoken / He has written / We have run / They have had.
Negative
I / You / We / They haven’t lived He / She / It hasn’t done.
Interrogative
Have I / you / we / they studied…? Has he / she / it given …?
Short answers
Yes, I / you / we / they have. Yes, he / she / it has.
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No, I / you / we / they haven’t. No, he / she / it hasn’t.
USAGE AND EXAMPLES The Present perfect is used for actions or events happening from the past until now. In particular: • when focusing on the experience so far (time of the past action is unimportant or not mentioned): I’ve done my homework, Mum! • when the past action has a result in the present situation: Have you seen my glasses? (I’m looking for them now) • when we talk about a recent event or action: The road is closed. There’s (=has) just been an accident. - Have you met him lately? • often with the adverbs: never, ever, already, yet: Have you ever eaten frogs? (asking if that has or hasn’t happened) The film’s already begun. - Has the train left yet? No, it hasn’t left yet. • when the time period isn’t over yet (this year / today / so far) and a number indicates progression: I’ve read five books this year. (but I may read more books before the year ends) How many novels has Stephen King written? (he is still working as a novelist) • with expressions like: It’s the first/second time...; with superlatives as in: it’s the best book … This is the third time I’ve met her today. - It’s the worst film I’ve watched PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE or PAST SIMPLE I’ve cut my finger. (when is irrelevant)
I cut my finger while cooking. (time expression)
The train has just arrived. (very recently)
The train arrived a few minutes ago. (time expression)
Spielberg has made a lot of films. (he’s alive)
Shakespeare wrote a lot of plays. (he’s dead)
Oh no, I’ve lost my passport. (I’m still loking for it)
I lost my passport but I found it. (completed)
(it’s 11 am) I’ve done three exercise this morning
(it’s 3 pm) I did three exercises this morning.
Have you been to Brazil? (experience so far)
When did you go to Brazil? (time expression)
Note! When talking about a past experience the opening sentence is usually Present perfect simple. However, if you keep talking about it, you switch to Past simple. Study the example: A: Have you ever been to that restaurant? B: Yes, I have. (opening sentence = focus on experience) A: Did you like the food there? B: Yes, it was delicious. (focus on specific time) When using the Present perfect of go you use gone when someone is still where he/she went and been when the person is back. Compare the situations: Where’s Anna? She’s gone to the doctor’s. / Anna’s been to the doctor. He said she’s fine.
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