Present Perfect
The present
perfect is formed from the present
tense of the verb have and the past
participle of a verb:
Use
We use the present perfect tense:
·
for something
that started in the past and continues in the present:
They’ve been
married for nearly fifty years.
She has lived in Liverpool all her life.
She has lived in Liverpool all her life.
·
for
something we have done several times in the past and continue to do:
I’ve played the guitar
ever since I was a teenager.
He has written three books and he is working on another one.
He has written three books and he is working on another one.
We often use a clause with since to show when something started in the past:
They’ve been
staying with us since last week.
I have worked here since I left school.
I have worked here since I left school.
·
when we are
talking about our experience
up to the present:
Note: We often use the adverb ever to talk about
experience up to the present:
My last birthday was the worst day I have ever had.
Note: and we use
never for the negative form:
Have you ever met George?
Yes, but I’ve never met his wife.
Yes, but I’ve never met his wife.
·
for something
that happened in the past but is important at the time of speaking:
I can’t get in the house. I’ve lost my keys.
Teresa isn’t at home. I think she has gone shopping.
Teresa isn’t at home. I think she has gone shopping.
We use the present perfect of be when someone has gone to a place
and returned:
A: Where have
you been?
B: I’ve just been out to the supermarket.
B: I’ve just been out to the supermarket.
A: Have
you ever been to San
Francisco?
B: No, but I’ve been to Los Angeles.
B: No, but I’ve been to Los Angeles.
But when someone has not returned we use have/has
gone:
A: Where is Maria? I haven’t seen her for weeks.
B: She's gone to Paris for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.
B: She's gone to Paris for a week. She’ll be back tomorrow.
We often use the present perfect with time adverbials which refer to the recent past:
just; only
just; recently;
Scientists have recently discovered a new breed of monkey.
We have just got back from our holidays.
We have just got back from our holidays.
or adverbials which include the present:
ever (in questions); so far; until now; up
to now; yet (in questions
and negatives)
Have you ever seen a ghost?
Where have you been up to now?
Have you finished your homework yet?
No, so far I’ve only done my history.
Where have you been up to now?
Have you finished your homework yet?
No, so far I’ve only done my history.
WARNING:
We do not use the present perfect with an adverbial which refers
to past
time which is finished:
I have seen that film yesterday.
We have just bought a new carlast week.
When we were children we have been to California.
We have just bought a new car
But we can use it to refer to a time which is not yet finished:
Have you seen Helen today?
We have bought a new car this week.
We have bought a new car this week.
No comments:
Post a Comment