36 Present perfect for past experiences and present results 1 Form We form the present perfect with have + past participle. The regular past participle ends in -ed (e.g. finished) have (ve) finished. She has ('s) gone. They have (‘ve) broken it. have not (haven't) finished. He has not (hasn’t) gone. We have not (havent) broken it Have you finished? (Yes, | have.) x Has he gone? (No, he hasn't.) Maiglain A fa maeeany OK, Il explain how it works. In speech and informal writing, we usually use short forms of has/have in positive and negative statements: I've finished. She hasn’t gone. © Pronunciation > 1.17 Many common past participles are irregular. Irregular verbs > page 348 regular play use visit want played used visited wanted irregular be break come drive been broken come driven eat go have eaten gone had & There is a difference in meaning between been and gone: My parents have gone to New York on holiday. (= They are there now.) My parents have been to New York. (= They have visited it in the past, and have returned home.) 2 Past experiences We use the present perfect to talk about actions and experiences that have happened in our lives up to now: Have you driven an automatic car before? I’ve travelled a lot. My father has worked for several different companies. ‘We can use expressions like often, once, twice or several times to say ‘how often’ I’ve eaten in that restaurant several times. My parents have visited Canada twice. 3 ever, never, before We often use ever to ask questions about past experiences. It means ‘in your life’ Have you ever driven a truck? Has Kemal ever been to an opera? We use never in negative sentences. It means ‘not in your life’: ve never swum with dolphins. Caroline's never eaten Chinese food. A We put ever and never before the past participle: X Have you beer everte California? ¥ ‘Have you ever been to California?’ ‘No. I've never been there.’ 106We often use before to say whether it’s the first time we've done something: We've been here before. We came for my birthday. (= We are here now and we've been here in the past as well.) Thaven’t stayed in a five-star hotel before. (= 1 am going to stay in one soon ~ for the first time.) ‘We usually put before at the end of the statement or question: Have you been here before? 4 Past actions with present results ‘We can use the present perfect to talk about a past hay cars Broken down action that has a result in the present: Can you send a mechanic? My car's broken down. (= It broke down earlier, and it isn’t working now.) They've gone out. (= They went out earlier, and they aren't here now.) Compare this with the past simple, where the action and the result are both in the past: ‘My car broke down last year and I couldn’t drive it for three weeks. 5 just, already, recently ‘We use just to talk about actions that happened a very short time ago: The plane has just landed. The passengers are getting off now. The shop has just closed ~ you can’t go in now. Already means ‘before the expected time’. We use it in positive sentences: You've missed the match. It’s already finished. & We usually put just and already before the past participle: X My-car-has-broken-down just. J My car has just broken down. Graham's train has already arrived. You don’t need to lock the car, I've already done it We use recently to talk about actions that happened in the last few days or months: Have you seen them recently? What's the place like now? I haven't been there recently. & We don’t use already in negative sentences: X The parcel hasn-tartived-already. J The parcel hasn't arrived yet. 6 still, yet We use yet in questions to ask about something we expect to happen around now, but which hasn’t happened at the time of speaking: Has the six o'clock train arrived yet? It’s five past six and I haven't seen it. We use still or yet in negative sentences when we expected something to happen before now: Our pizzas haven't come yet. We ordered them nearly half an hour ago! I gave my teacher that essay last week but she still hasn't marked it. We usually put yet at the end of a question or negative statement; we put still before hasn’t/ haven't: Has your car been repaired yet? We still haven't had our exam results. We can also use still in positive sentences to say that an earlier situation has not changed. We use the present simple or continuous, not the present perfect: Carlos is thirty, but he still lives with his parents. The bridge is closed; they're still repairing it. A We don’t use yet in positive sentences: x Fve paid for the meat-yet, ¥ I’ve already paid for the meal. American English justialready/yet > page 353 1073G resent renee: PAST EXPERIENCES AND PRESENT RESULTS 108 Practice Write sentences and questions in the present perfect, using the words below. (HEKGA Listen and check. 1 / not finish / the report I haven't finished the report. you / see / my keys? Haye. yu. seen. my keys? we / play / five games this season you / eat / anything today ? our friends / not had / a pet before Sally / break / her mobile phone Clive / use / this computer ? I/ never drive / an American car oe the children / see / all the Harry Potter films ? Mr Lopez / not come / to work today auanewnn Bo Match the sentences 1-7 with the explanations A-H. 0 My computer broke down. A So I have to water the garden. 1 My computer has broken down. B This is our first visit. 2 We've been here before. C He isn’t here at the moment. 3. We haven’t been here before. D I couldn't send any emails. 4. He's gone to the post office. E So 1 don’t have to water the garden. 5. He's been to the post office. F This isn’t our first visit. 6 It hasn’t rained yet. G I can’t send any emails. 7 It’s just stopped raining. H He brought back some stamps. ENIET complete the conversation with the words from the box. (DEKE Listen and check. already been before ever just never recently still yet Manny How are the wedding plans going? sara OK. But there are lots of things I haven't done (0) yee. Manpy But you've (1) chosen your dress, haven't you? saran No, I (2) haven’t seen anything I like. Manny Have you (3) to Baxter's? They've got a good selection. saat Really? ‘Their clothes used to be very old-fashioned. But I haven't been there co) . MANDY It’s better now. Actually, there are lots of nice designs in the Nuptia catalogue. Pethaps you should get a dress from them. sara I’m not sure. I've (5) bought a dress from a catalogue. Manpy Well, at least have a look at it. They've (6) sent me the new edition. I can bring it around later. sara All right. Maxpy What about the cake? Have you (7) tried that place on Randall Street? ‘They do fantastic cakes. saraH I know. But they seemed a bit expensive to me. Of course, I don’t really know how much a big wedding cake should cost. I've never bought one (8) 14 Match the sentences swith the pe Then write a suitable word in each gap. 0 We're really nervous about the flight. We've "ever, been ona plane before. ¢ 1 I can't come out. I haven't finished my homework 2 Lordered this spare part three weeks ago and it .... hasn’t arrives 3 How is your brother? I haven’t seen him 4 I don’t want to rent that film. I've seen it, Ey} Find eight more mistakes in the conversation and correct them. you brought pave Have Brought you the new car? auce Yes, I've park it outside, Come and have a look pave It's lovely. How fast does it go? auce I don’t know. I yet haven't driven it on the motorway. pave I bet it’s really fast. Pete’s got one of these and he says he’s did over 125 mph in it! uct Oh, that’s too fast for me. I've driven never over 80 or 90. pave I haven't driven a car like this already. Could I have a go? uct I'm afraid not. Just I've arranged the insurance and I’m the only person that’s allowed to drive it. pave That's a pity. How do you turn on the CD player? auct Mmm, I'm not sure. I've looked at the manual yet. pave Has it got air-conditioning? auc Yes. I'm really looking forward to the hot weather so I can try it out. I've never had before a car with air-conditioning! 6 Write true sentences about yourself, using the words below. have / shower / today L haven't had a. shower today. have / cups of coffee / today visit / my grandparents / this month see / the latest James Bond movie pass / the driving test go / to the doctor / recently have / a holiday / this year drive / an electric car send / text messages / this week phone / my best friend / today go / to the dentist / this year Seervd sH.eenaec 10937 110 ''m on my way to Toronto. ve Present perfect driven 400 kilometres so far. for situations up to the present Unfinished time period + (so far), this morning, today, etc. We use the present perfect to talk about actions in a time period that is still continuing © with time expressions (e.g. today, this morning, this week, this year): I’ve driven 500 kilometres this week. (The week has not finished.) Have you spoken to Ahmed this morning? (It is still morning.) © with so far to mean ‘up to now’ We've had four holidays so far this year, and it’s only September! ‘Compare: eesenr penrecr I've made several phone calls this morning. (It is still morning.) past simpte I made several phone calls this morning. (It is now afternoon.) Repeated actions ‘We use the present perfect to talk about repeated actions (that may happen again): I’ve been there many times. (I might go there again one day.) She’s phoned five times already. (She may phone again.) How many times have you played Grand Theft Auto? How often has she been here? Situations up to the present + forisince, how long We use or (and not since) with a period of time (e.g. for an hour, for years): ] David has worked in Mexico for many years. I haven't seen Janice for a long time. i ‘We don’t use for before expressions beginning with all (e.g. all day, all my life): | X Pre-worked-there foralLmytife, 7 I've worked there all my life. } We use since with a particular time, day or date, or with a past event: David has worked in Mexico since January 2000. I haven't seen Janice since Tuesday. Thaven't been to the beach since we got here. We can use it’s (present simple) or it’s been (present perfect) + time expression + since: | It’s two years since our wedding. It’s been two years since our last meeting. © The verb after since is usually in the past simple, not the present perfect: John has worked here since he left school. It's ages since I saw you. We use How long? in questions, usually with state verbs: How long have you known Alan? ‘We use the present perfect (NOT the present simple or continuous) to talk about present situations that started in the past: X Fame-married-forter-years. / I've been married for ten years. X Weare-living-here-sinee 2005, J We've lived here since 2008. Superlatives, the first time We often use the present perfect (+ ever) with superlative adjectives (» Unit 21.3) That was the worst film I’ve ever seen! This is the best holiday we've ever had! We also use the present perfect with the first, the second, ete: This is the third time I’ve visited China, but it’s the first time I've travelled in business class.Practice 1 Match sentences 1 and 2 with A and B in each pair. 0 1 How far did you travel? as 2 How far have you travelled: B 1 1 The doctor called this morning. A 2 We've been to the bank this morning. B 2.1 How many criminals have you arrested, Sally? A 2 How many criminals did you arrest, Sally? B 3.1 Mike did the reports. A 2 Mike has done the reports. B 4 1 Sylvia has worn glasses for many years. A 2 Samantha wore glasses for many years. B 5 1 We went there twice in the summer. A 2 We've been there several times this summer. B V'm asking about today. I'm asking about yesterday. It is still morning. It is now the afternoon. Sally used to be a detective. Sally is a detective. He finished them and went home. He is doing the accounts now. She wears contact lenses now. She's just bought a new pair. It is still the summer. Now it is winter. 2 Find six more mistakes in the conversation and correct them. (DERI Listen and check. So, how mudhttime have you known Caroline? I know her for about three months. I see, for March then? save Yes. March 12th. Caroline was my driving instructor for my first lesson! 1uey How many lessons have you since then? sae T’'ve had ten lessons far so. I think I'll pass the test this time, tucy What do you mean? jane Well, I've failed it twice before. But this is the first time I have proper lessons. tvey Good luck, then! Look, I’d better go - I haven’t been shopping since several days and the fridge is empty! 3 Complete the second sentence so it means the same as the first, using the word in brackets. Use two to five words in your answer. Listen and check. 0 It’s Friday. We arrived here on Tuesday. (been) We have been here for. four days. 1 Thaven’t seen her for six months. (since) Its evnnnennen I saw her, 2. I've lived in the same house since I was born. (life) I've lived in the same house 3. It’s three o'clock. The shop closed at one. (two) The shop has been closed .. oe 4 It’s years since I wore short trousers. (worn) short trousers for years. 5. The last time I smoked was in January. (since) I January, 6 Jane’s been to the spa three times before. (time) This is the fourth to the spa. 7 I've never eaten such a bad meal. (ever) This is the worst meal 8 We got to the airport six hours ago. (it) since we got to the airport.38 Present perfect or past simple? 1 Differences in use PRESENT PERFECT Single or repeated actions in the past, when. we don’t know the date of the action or it isn’t important: I’ve driven an automatic car before We've been to the theatre many times. Time expressions: before, ever, already, just and yet Situations that started in the past and are still continuing Tom has worked at the garage for two years. (He's working there now) with for + period of time, or since + date One or more completed actions in a time period that is sil continuing He's sold fifteen cars this month. Time expressions: this morninglevening, today, 50 far, etc definite time in the past: | drove a racing car in the summer. We went to the theatre twice last month. Time expressions: yesterday, last month, in 2007, etc. Situations that started and finished in the past: Alex worked at the garage for two years (He isn’t working there now.) with for to say how long the situation lasted Completed actions in a time period that is finished: He sold twenty cars in August. I sold my Toyota two weeks ago. ‘with ago to mean ‘(a period) before now" A. itis sometimes difficult to hear /v/ in I’ve, we've, you've, they’ve and /z/ in he’s and she’s. It is easy to confuse the present perfect and past simple: rast siupte I finished work. He started early. We carried the bags. reeset vervecr I’ve finished work. He's started early. We've carried the bags. ‘The other words around the verb can usually help you to understand which form you hear: I finished work an hour ago. I've just finished work. B) Pronunciation > 1.18 2. Giving news We often use the present perfect to introduce new information: I’ve decided to get a new car. I'm going to look at some tomorrow. ‘Julian has passed his driving test.’ ‘Oh, that’s good news!” News reports often start a new item with the present perfect: The Terracotta Army exhibition has opened in London. There has been an earthquake in southern China. After we have introduced new information with the present perfect, we usually give more details with the past simple: Julian has passed his driving test. He took it on Wednesday. The Terracotta Army exhibition has opened in Paris. It was opened by the Minister of Culture. 112Practice 1 Choose the correct words in italics. She's been to the doctor twice(this month) last month. ve driven this car many times /in 2007. Jane passed / has passed her driving test last week. Steve loves his job. He did /’s done it since he was twenty-two. Caroline's bought a lot of clothes this year / two years ago. Rick has finished / finished the course six months ago. “George has arrived.’ ‘Really? When has he got / did he get here?’ 2 Complete the text suitable forms of the words in brackets. Use the present perfect or past simple. In one place, both are possible. Listen and check. AnRwNte Electric cars - Latest update ‘A.small American car manufacturer (0). hats just announced. (just announce) that its experimental electric car, the Lexington X1, will go into production this year. Markton Automobiles, of Detroit, Michigan, (1) ....... ... (make) the announcement at last month's Auto Show in Geneva. Although there are now many electric cars on the market, so far manufacturers @ .. (N0t be able) to produce one that can really compete with existing petrol cars. There ae two major problems - speed and distance. Up until now, electric cars ® -sssnsuesees (D2) either too slow or unable to travel far enough without recharging their batteries. Markton Automobiles claim that they (4) (overcome) these difficulties with a new type of solar panel which continually recharges the batteries. The company (5) ....:,::s:statsnsunss (NOt give) the press exact details yet, but they claim they ©... (already test) the car successfully under all kinds of weather conditions. ‘A Japanese company (7) . (first design) the engine in 2007. But over the last few years Markton (8) . (adapt) the design and increased its power. The company (9) (invite) ten journalists to test-drive the new car last week. Their reports (10) (be) mainly positive, although we will have to wait for the {ull test results before we know if this really is the electric car that everyone is waiting for. 3 Complete the conversation with words and phrases from the box. There are three extra words or phrases. Listen and check. hasn’ttold told has told have you done ‘ve used was ’s been happened had just has decided 'vefustfalien has given auc Hi, Judi, I'm home! jut Shh. Don't disturb the children. They (0) .....ve.just fallen...... asleep. auc OK. I'll be quiet. So, how are things? What (1) today? suo Not much. It (2) a quiet day really. What about you? asc Quite an exciting day. The boss (3) me a new job! sunt Wow. That's fantastic. What (4) 2 auc Sylvia (5) . to move Eddie to the Toronto office. So I’ve got his job! She (6) me about it at lunchtime. It (7) a real surprise! jup1 Well, I hope it’s more money because we (8) oases all our savings! 113