Level 4 Unit 8 -
Present perfect / Present / past
Do this activity at least twice: It will change each time.
Complete each sentence with the appropriate answer from the choices given
PRESENT PERFECT
The present perfect can be used ...
- to describe an action that began in the past and is still going on now. It is not yet finished.
She's had three cups of coffee today. (She may have more.) This year has been busy. (The year is not over.)
- to describe a past action or event when it's not important to know exactly when it happened.
I've forgotten your name. (I don't know it now.) She's lost her handbag. (She doesn't have it now.)
- to say how many times you have done something.
This is my favorite film. I've seen it three times. Jane has been to Australia twice.
- to talk about actions and events with time indicators relating to the present.
Jack has never ridden a horse. (up to now) Have you ever smoked a cigar? (in your life) I haven't smoked since 1989. (I hope never to smoke again.) Sharon has ridden a horse, but she hasn't ridden for ten years. Have you checked into the hotel YET?
SIMPLE PAST OR PRESENT PERFECT?
The present perfect can describe WHAT you have done, without reference to time. The simple past is used if you mention a specific time in the past WHEN you did it. Compare:
I have been to Jamaica. I went to Jamaica three years ago. John has done his homework. John did his homework last night. I've already seen the film. I saw the film Wednesday evening. She has lived in California. She lived in California in 1991.
"FOR" OR "SINCE?"
Use "for" to talk about duration; a period of time for three hours, for ten years, for as long as you like, etc...
Use "since" to refer to a specific point of time in the past since 1957, since the last time I wrote, since I was born, etc...
"HAS BEEN TO" OR "HAS GONE TO?"
"Has been to" means "went there and left."
Ann has been to London. (She went there on June 8 and left June 15.) Bill has been to the bank. (He's back from the bank now.)
"Has gone to" means "there now or on the way there."
Ann has gone to London. (She's in London now or on her way there.) Bill has gone to the bank. (That's where he is now.)
I first ________ Mr Johnson in 1975.
have met
meet
meeting
met
Ken's plane was supposed to arrive an hour ago but it still ________
didn't arrive.
hasn't arrived.
doesn't arrive.
isn't arriving
I __________ in New York my entire life and I never want to move.
live
've lived
lived
am living
David isn't coming to the movies with us. He _________the film, so he plans to go swimming instead.
already sees
has already been seeing
has already seen
is already seeing
The heavyweight champion _________ three boxing matches so far this year.
has had
had
has
is having
My last vacation was _________.
during five years
five years ago
since 1999
for five years
My garden is drying out because it ________ in several weeks.
didn't rain
isn't raining
hasn't rained
doesn't rain
Yesterday Bob ________ his son to the doctor for a yearly check-up.
has taken
took
is taking
takes
___________ to Frank lately.
Did you talk
Have you talked
Are you talking
Do you talk
I know for a fact that Margo _______ a horse in her life, she's afraid of them.
has never ridden
never rides
is never riding
never rides
Harry hasn't visited his parents _________.
six months ago
for six months
during six months
since six months
Do you know what Tom is doing ? I _________ from him since he got back from Greece
don't hear
haven't heard
didn't hear
'm not hearing
No thanks. I ___________ six cups of coffee today already.
've had
had
'm having
have
Tomorrow will be Harry's first day back at work. He _______ill since May 1st..
is
is being
has been
was
Gloria is afraid of flying. In fact she has __________ flown!
yet
never
ever
already
Jill _________ to Paris. She'll be back next week.
goes
has been
has gone
was going
__________ to the concert or to the basketball game last Saturday night?
Have you gone
Did you go
Are you going
Have you been
Brian _________ his first two tennis matches but was defeated in the finals.
won
has won
wins
is winning
Everyone who _________ the new director so far is favourably impressed.
has met
met
meets
is meeting
Beatrice has worked here since 1992. She _________ our company right after she finished college.
was joining
has joined
is joining
joined
I ___________ enough to eat. Would you like the rest of my pie.
've had
'm having
have
had
I'm sorry, can you tell me your name again ? I'm afraid I _______ it.
forget
've forgotten
'm forgetting
forgot
Christine __________ Hawaii for a couple of weeks. Would you like to leave her a message ?
has gone to
has been going
went
has been to
We _________ visitors every weekend for the past two months.George and I are looking forward to a quiet weekend.
have
have had
had
are having
____________ a replacement yet for the player who's resigning from the team?
Are you finding
Do you find
Did you find
Have you found
My computer __________ down an hour ago and I had to call a technician to repair it.
break
broke
is breaking
has broken
Hannah hasn't been to see us since she ______ back from China.
has got
got
is getting
gets
I already know Mr Hanson. We ________ into each other at several business conferences.