Grammar the present perfect tense

Ex.1. Read and translate the sentences. Write out the verbs in the Present Perfect.

1. Alex has always wanted to go to Tibet, but he has never had such a chance.

2. Put your wallet away, I’ve already paid for everything.

3. Gabi has just told me that she is getting married.

4. Where did you buy that round Persian rug you’ve got in the hall?

5. You’ve missed her – if you hurry, you’ll catch her in the street.

6. I often see this guy but I have never spoken to him.

7. I have a gut feeling that he has failed the interview.

8. Dick has been out of work for about a year, and he has been desperate all this time.

9. Calm down, Liz. John has just phoned! He has got the job!

- Has he? Oh, I’m so glad for him. It has never been easy to find a job, particularly a good one.

10.- You’re right. There has been an increase in unemployment in our country recently.

- Moreover, the situation is getting worse and worse these days.

Ex.2. The Present Perfect: full and short forms.

Task A: Change the full Present Perfect forms to contractions:

1. I have forgotten her address. – I’ve forgotten her address.

2. I have not noticed anything so far. – I haven’t noticed anything so far.

3. You have said that. – _____________________________________________.

4. It (The train) has already arrived. – ___________________________________.

5. It has not rained this month. – _______________________________________.

6. Dr. Adamson is not here. He has just left. – ____________________________.

7. Look! She has caught a big fish! – ___________________________________.

8. Patricia has not been at home for three years. – _________________________.

9. We have never enjoyed Christmas as much as this one. – _________________.

10. They have been here before. – _______________________________________.

Task B: Are these contractions has or is?

1. She’s arrived. → She has arrived.

2. She’s tired. → She is tired.

3. He’s worried.

4. He’s eaten.

5. She’s outgrown all her school clothes.

6. The dog’s escaped.

7. The cat’s hungry.

8. She’s ill.

9. She’s had a cold.

10. She’s never met his ex-wife.

Ex.3. Write the Past Participle of the following verbs.

speak - spoken book - booked carry eat drink find found lie lay know

meet sell buy fax see leave taste prefer control write

Ex.4. Read the poem. Pay attention to the way of making questions.

Have you ever seen the beaches of Mexico?

Have you ever walked the streets of San Juan?

Have you ever been to Haiti?

Have you ever been to Spain?

Have you ever walked barefoot in a heavy rain?

Have you ever been in trouble?

Have you ever been in pain?

Have you ever been in love?

Would you do it all again?

Well, I’ve never seen the beaches of Mexico.

I’ve never walked the streets of San Juan.

I’ve never been to Haiti.

I’ve never been to Spain.

I’ve never walked barefoot in a heavy rain.

But I’ve sure been in trouble,

I’ve sure been in pain,

I’ve sure been in love,

I’d do it all again.

Ex.5. Ask general questions using the following word combinations.

Model:

change a wheel on a car → Have you ever changed a wheel on a car?

take money out of a cash machine → Have you taken money out of a cash machine recently?

1. waste money on something you’ve never used

2. lose a credit card or your wallet

3. lend money to someone who didn’t pay you back

4. borrow money from your friends or someone in your family

5. buy or sell something on the Internet

6. have your own account with a bank

7. win a competition

8. have your photograph in the newspaper

9. break something valuable

10. forget your front door key

Ex.6. Put the verbs in brackets into the Present Perfect to make up questions. Complete the answers providing additional information.

1. You ever (eat) at Maxim’s restaurant? – Yes, I _______. → Have you ever eaten at Maxim’s restaurant? – Yes, I have. They have a wonderful cook there!

2. Your sister (pass) the entrance exams? – Yes, she ________ .

3. You (hear) from Nellie lately? – No, I _________.

4. You (see) my gloves anywhere? – No, I’m afraid I ________ .

5. He (find) his watch? - Yes, he _________ .

6. You (pay) the electricity bill yet? – No, I _________.

7. How long you (know) Derek? – I ____________ him for about five years.

8. You (spend) all your money? – No, I ___________ only half of it.

9. And what about Betty? - You wouldn’t believe! She _______ (spend) everything, to a penny.

10.You _______ (see) Charles lately? – No, I ________ him since Christmas.

Ex.7. Respond to the following, using the Present Perfect.

1. Why don’t you join me and have lunch?

– I’ve already had lunch. I’m not hungry.

2. This is a very good dictionary. George, you may need it in your studies. Why don’t we buy it? –______________.

3. Why don’t you apply for this job? You may get it. - _______________.

4. Why don’t you speak to the boss? ____________________.

5. Why don’t you phone and explain everything to him? ____________.

6. Why don’t you try on these shoes? _______________.

7. Why don’t you say ‘Happy birthday’ to Sally? She used to be your friend. ____.

8. Why don’t we invite her to our party? _____________________.

9. If you need some help, why don’t you ask me or somebody else? ___________.

10. Why don’t we go and see this film? – Oh no, _______________ (twice).

Ex.8. Choose the correct word (adverb of time) in italics. In some sentences both variants are possible. Translate the sentences.

1. John Grisham is a well-known American writer. He has written about twenty novels still/so far.

2. They have already/still employed a new supervisor.

3. Jeff is very sad. He has ever/just failed the exam.

4. We’ve just/already gone through the customs.

5. Have you never/ever tasted paella? – Yes, I have. I tasted it when I was on holiday in Spain.

6. You’re just in time. The concert hasn’t begun still/yet.

7. I have never/just seen this film before.

8. Have you seen any good films since/ lately?

9. The secretary has typed ten letters this morning yet/so far.

10. Our neighbours have moved to another town recently/so far.

Ex.9. Fill in for or since.

1. ______ 2010 – since 2010

2. ______ two hours

3. ______ I was five.

4. ______ ages

5. ______ they moved to Italy

6. ______ six months

7. ______ we were at college

8. ______ half an hour.

9. ______ last spring

10. ______ a long time

Ex.10. Complete the sentences, choosing for or since and putting the verbs into the correct form. The first two sentences have been done for you.

1. Claudia __________ (not, learn) very much ______ the term began. She needs to study harder. – Claudia has not learnt very much since the term began. She needs to study harder.

2. The Browns __________ (live) here ______ a long time. They __________ (live) here ______ 1990. – The Browns have lived here for a long time. They have lived here since 1990.

3. I _________ (not, see) Molly ______ she left the office.

4. He _________ (not, phone) us ______ Sunday.

5. Ann and Andy __________ (move) three times ______ they got married.

6. They ________ (be married) ______ last year.

7. We __________ (not, be) to the cinema ______ ages.

8. Jenny ________ (be ill) ______ last week.

9. I _________ (not, talk) to her ______ days.

10. It _________ (not, rain) ______ the end of July.

11. Sylvia ________ (be) with the publishing company ______ 1995.

12. You must have bought your Porsche quite recently. It looks great! – Nothing of the kind. I __________ (have) it ______ three years.

13. How many invitations _____ you__________ (writе) ______ morning?

14. How long _____ you __________ (know) Paul? – Uh, ______ many years.

15. We __________ (be) friends ______ our schooldays.

Ex.11. Fill in the gaps with have/has gone to, have/has been to or have/has been in.

1. Alice isn’t here at the moment. She ______ just ______ the trading centre, and I don’t think she’ll be back very soon.

2. Sheila __________ the USA twice.

3. How long ______ they ______ Stoke-on-Trent?

4. ______ you ever ______ London?

5. Mr. Smith __________ New Orleans for nearly four years.

6. Phil, are you alone in the house? Where is everybody? – Mum __________ the cinema with Julia. As for Dad, he _________ the golf club.

7. Are you going to the sports centre? – No, I ______ already ______ there.

8. Hi, Jim! Have you seen Mark? – Yes. He ______ just ______ the newsagent’s to get some envelopes.

9. I hear you are going to Bern? – That’s right. I have always wanted to go there. I ______ never ______ Switzerland.

10. My sister Amy lives in Bern with her family. They __________ Switzerland for three years. I can ask her to show you around the city if you want.

Ex.12. Change the sentences using the construction It’s/This is the first/second/third/fourth time I/he + the Present Perfect.

Model:

Bill is a bit nervous. He has never driven a car before. (the first time) →

Bill is a bit nervous. It’s the first time he has driven a car.

1. Don’t be so critical! Mathew has never played baseball before. (the first time)

2. I have never ridden on a camel before. It is so unusual!

3. I have never eaten Indonesian food before.

4. You say the Four Seasons? That must be very expensive. – It is expensive, but the hotel is very comfortable and the service is impeccable. I have never stayed in such a luxury hotel before.

5. The children are very excited. They have never been on a plane before.

6. We have never raised and seriously discussed such a question.

7. We have complained to the manager twice.

8. Ron, how’s that? You’ve lost your keys again. (the second time this month.)

9. Oh, dear! You’ve damaged your car again! (the third time)

10. Robert has phoned her three times this evening. (the fourth time)

Ex.13. Read the sentences below and express the same idea in a different way.

Model:

I have never seen such a good comedy. → It/This is the best comedy I have ever seen.

1. We have never had such a wonderful New Year party before!

2. I have never visited such an old castle before.

3. How do you like his new novel? - Honestly, I have never read such a boring book!

4. I have never eaten at such a nice restaurant. The meal is delicious here!

5. The coffee is disgusting! I have never tasted such awful coffee.

6. Cathy is so patient and tolerant of other people. – You’re right. I have never met such a patient person.

7. Do you enjoy your new job? – Oh, yes. I have never had such a good job.

8. I’m glad Steve agreed to work with us. I have never met anyone more reliable and responsible than he is.

9. This painting of yours is really fantastic! I have never seen anything better.

10. Your new song is brilliant! I have never heard anything better!

Ex.14. Read the sentences in the box, and then match them with their description. Explain your choice.

Model:

• My elder brother has been in Stockholm since 2006. – (a) It started in the past

and continues up to the present. My elder brother lives and works there now.

• Look! They have finally painted the house! – (d) The result is visible. You can

see it now.

1. Rachel is the most intelligent person I’ve ever met. 2. She has been the manager of your firm since last year, hasn’t she? 3. I’ve received five faxes from them today. 4. Have you heard the news? Mark has bought a horse. - I know. He is crazy about horses and horse-riding. 5. Hurray! Our football team has won! 6. I’ve known Paul for a few months, but I’ve met his sister only once. 7. This is the nicest restaurant I have ever been to! 8. Sorry, Liz, I can’t go now. I’ve just washed my hair. 9. Aunt Sonia has bought a house. 10.Be careful where you walk. Samantha’s broken a vase, and Johnny’s already cut himself. 11. They have developed a new brand of toothpaste. 12. Amazing news! Our country has won the right to host the Games. 13. A cup of coffee, Vic? – No, thank you. I’ve drunk two cups this morning. 14. Why aren’t you going home, Tommy? It’s going to rain. – I can’t. I’ve lost the key. 15. Ow! I’ve burnt myself!

a - action which started in the past and continues up to the present; b - action which happened in an unfinished time period (today, this morning, and it is still morning.) c - action which happened at an unstated time in the past (the exact time is not mentioned, unknown or unimportant. What is important is only the action / the fact itself); d - action which happened in the past and the result can be seen now; e - giving recent news or fresh information; f - something that describes personal experience with superlatives or ordinals.

Ex.15. Correct the mistakes if there are any.

1. Let’s wait a little. He hasn’t phone yet.

2. Have you heard the news? Tom and Lucy got married.

3. Is Jill in the office? - I don’t know. I haven’t seen her all day.

4. I am at university since nine o’clock.

5. It’s the first time he have given us an interview.

6. Sorry, Colin, I haven’t still booked the flight.

7. Karen has been to the baker’s. She’ll be home very soon.

8. Have you finished the project? – Yes, we have. We’ve finished it two days ago.

9. Sharon has been on the phone for ages.

10. John hasn’t answered my letter not yet.

11. My husband doesn’t sleep very well recently.

12. He has been one of the leading fashion designers from the early 1980s.

13. I haven’t saw Martha for months. How’s she?

14. This is the third time Alan goes to Milan this year.

15. Really? He is lucky. By the way, did you ever go to Italy?

Ex. 16. Translate the dialogue into English.

- Энн, я не бачила тебе вже сто років. Де ти пропадала весь цей час?

- Я була в довгостроковому (тривалому) відрядженні в Торонто (to be on a business trip). Я щойно приїхала звідти.

- Торонто? Я була там двічі. Гарне місто.

- Розповідай, де ти живеш, працюєш! Як життя?

- Працюю я в канадській фірмі у відділі маркетингу і реклами. Ось уже рік, як я там працюю. Нещодавно я вийшла заміж.

- Дійсно? А хто він?

- Ти його не знаєш. Це Гері Кларк з нашої фірми.

- Він іноземець?

- Так, мій чоловік з Канади. Але мешкає і працює тут вже кілька років. Досить гарно спілкується українською.

- Ви мешкаєте з батьками чи окремо (on your own)?

- У нас невелика квартира неподалік від центру міста. А як ти?