they

have not

have

we

you

they

Contractions:

've = have

's = has

haven't = have not hasn't = has not

USAGE

The Present Perfect tense denotes:

1. Completed past actions connected in their result with the present either because of the actual evidence of the result or its importance for the present. The recent completion of an action is often expressed by the adverbials 'recently, lately, already''in affirmative sentences and the adverbial 'yet'in questions and negatives.

I've recently (lately) spoken to him on the phone. I'm afraid I've forgotten my key. Do you want some more coffee? - No, thanks, I've already had enough.

Has your younger brother left school yet? Slie hasn 't found the dog yet.

To show that something has happened very recently the adverbial just is used.

Mary has just gone out.

Just now, however, which means 'a moment ago' is used with the Past Simple.

Mary went out just now.

There can be no adverbial in the sentence when the present evidence of the result of a completed past action is clear from the context.

My mother is angry because I've lost my watch.

The importance of a completed past action for the present stands out clearly in complex sentences with superlative constructions, ordinal numerals or 'the only'in the principal clause.

It's the best salad I have eaten in this restaurant.

It's the second time I have seen this film.

This is the only place he's been to.

This is the first time I've felt really relaxed.

The Present Perfect for completed past actions is often used with today, this morning, this week, this year, etc. when these periods are not over.

/ have written three letters this morning, (when it is still 'this morning')

It must be remembered that the Present Perfect is not used with 'definite past time' adverbials like yesterday, last time, a year ago, the other day, etc. These adverbials are used with the Past Simple which emphasizes the time of the event. Compare, e.g.:

Deborah has ironed your shirt, (emphasis on the

result)

Deborah ironed your shirt yesterday morning.

(emphasis on the time of the action)

2. Incomplete actions that started in the past, lasted over a period of time and are still taking place in the present. The Present Perfect in this meaning is typical of verbs not used in the continuous aspect but is not limited to them. The starting point of the action is expressed by an adverbial with 'since' while an adverbial with 'for' is used to denote a period of time. (Compare the use of similar adverbials with 'for' with the Past Simple). Such adverbs as ever, never, lately, recently, always, often, all my life, so far, etc. are also often used with the Present Perfect to denote incomplete past actions.

They have been married for 20 years.

I've lived here since 1992.

Have you ever ridden a helicopter?

I have never tasted papaya.

She 's been here several times before.

Compare the use of the Past Simple and the Present Perfect tense-forms.

1. Ann bought herself a new dress yesterday. She paid 30 pounds for it.

2. Have a look. I've just bought a lovely pair of shoes.

3. Marie and Pierre Curie discovered radium and in 1903 won the Nobel Prize.

4. The police haven't found the boy yet. He disappeared 3 days ago.

5. How many times have you been in love? When did you fall in love first?

6. Ron hasn't studied much this term.

7. When did they get married? - Last year. So they have been married for about a year.

8. Chemistry has never been my favourite subject. I liked Maths when I studied at school.

9. Sam hasn't drunk alcohol since he got into a car accident.

10. I bought everything I needed and went straight home.

11. I have bought a new car. - But where's the car you bought last year?

12. That's where I used to live in my childhood.

13. Where is your key? - / don't know. I'm afraid I've lost it. - But when did you see it last?

14. Peter was meeting someone that night so I stayed at the office and worked Jor a few extra hours.

PRACTICE

1. Choose between the Present Perfect and the Past Simple tense-forms.

1. Hello, Mr... er ... Mr - I'm sorry, \ forgot/have forgotten your name.

2. News just came in/has just come in of an earthquake in Southern Mangrovia. According to the first reports the quake struck/has struck just after midnight last night.

3. Alice bought/has bought a new car. - Really? Where did she get/has she got the money?

4. I have often wondered/often wondered what he does for a living.

5. He was/has been ill before Christmas, but he has been/ was fine since then.

6. Things have been/were difficult since Sharon has lost/ lost her job.

7. Paul was/has been keen on music since childhood.

8. Did you two meet/Have you two met before? David, this is Ann.

9. Did you see/Have you seen Jane by any chance? There's a letter for her.

10. This is the only occasion that I have seen/saw him wearing a tie.

2. Choose the appropriate adverbial of time.

1. I can't remember when/how long I have had this CD player.

2. Have you eaten asparagus before/already!

3. Did you live here in/since 1995?

4. I always got up at six lately/in those days.

5. She fell asleep an hour ago/for an hour.

6. I haven't paid for my ticket still/yet.

7. We've known each other since/for many years.

8. They haven't seen Carol since/for last year.

9. Actually I had dinner with Paul last night/lately.

10. Tire other clay/Lately Nick received a parcel from home.

11. Have you spoken to the manager still/yet?

12. I've seen Margaret quite often lately/from time to time.

13. Ruth bought a portable computer since then/last year.

14. Sorry, but I haven't finished that work already/yet.

15. The price of petrol has risen considerably last time/over the past year.

3. Open the brackets using the Present Perfect or the Past Simple tense-forms.

1. I (shout) at them and they (run) away.

2. What's the best film you ever (see)!

3. Simon is not at home. He (go) to a football match.

4. It was such a wonderful performance that we (applaud) for fifteen minutes.

5. Why do you look so sad? Anything (happen)!

6. Jaime lives in Venezuela; he never (see) snow.