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Although the 1^st sentence expresses life experience, all the above sentences require present perfect because they refer to actions performed (or not yet performed) in an unfinished time period. This is the basis for many uses of present perfect and can be expressed using the following time line:

Which of the above numbers shows which adverb: just, yet, already?

1=already 2=just 3=haven't yet

2 Present Perfect with For and Since: Compare it with the Past Simple

Put one word in each gap. Use a different word each time:

1) We’ve only been waiting _____ 10 minutes.

2) They’ve lived in London _____ 1982.

3) Alan called about half an hour _____.

4) She was quite a famous actress ____ the seventies.

5) 5) I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting ____ the moment.

Answers

Which of these sentences refer to unfinished time periods?

Are they all present perfect?

Why is present perfect necessary in sentences 1 and 2?

Why is past simple used in 3 and 4?

Answers

3 Present Perfect with For and Since: Compare it with the Present Perfect with Already

Now compare these 2 sentences:

1) She’s already done her Christmas shopping.

2) They’ve lived in London since 1982.

Think about the time period. In 1, does the action take the whole time period? In 2?

In 1, the action doesn't take the whole time period. In 2 it does.

This use of present perfect can be expressed using the following time line:

4 Present perfect used to talk about actions in the past that we notice now

Put one word in each gap.

1) You’ve had your hair cut. It ______ really nice.

2) Who’s spilt wine on the carpet? There _____ a big red stain behind the sofa.

3) He’s been smoking again. I _______ tobacco on his breath.

Answers

What kind of word did you write? What tense did you use?

What tense is used in the first sentence in each example?

Why is present perfect necessary here?

Is the action in the past or the present? Is it finished? What connection is there with the present?

Answers

Present perfect is necessary to express past actions which have a result in the present, or a result relevant to a present conversation.

5 Today so far… (Present perfect with yet & already)

The present perfect tense is often used with yet and already to talk about things that you or I do in a time period that is not finished. In the following example, present perfect is used because Mark's day hasn't finished yet.

Fill in the following sentences with one of these words:

hasn’t (x2) read yet (x2) already cleaned he lesson bought

Mark has already _______ his teeth. But _ hasn’t had breakfast, because he was late for work. He _ gone for a beer yet; he’s going after the . He has prepared his lessons, but he finished teaching all his classes . He hasn’t _ the newspaper _, but he has _____ some shopping.

Answers

Talk to yourself or a friend.

What have you already done today?

What haven't you already done today?

Answers

1 Present Perfect - Understanding the time period - Answers

1) Have you ever been to the USA?

2) I’m ready to go. I’ve just/already had breakfast.

3) Have you received your wages yet?

4) Sue’s so organised. She’s already done all her Christmas shopping.

1) What tense is used in all 4 sentences? Present Perfect

2) What kind of word did you put in each gap? (verb, noun, adverb or adjective) Adverbs

3) Which of these words means:

-in your life? ever -this month? yet

4) What time periods do the other two refer to? 2) today 4) this year

5) Can any of the words replace each-other? No

6) Why is present perfect used in all the example sentences? Because the time period in question remains unfinished.

7) In sentence 1, has the time period (your life) finished? No

8) In sentences 2, 3, 4, has the time period (today, etc.) finished? No

9) What tense would we use if the time period had finished? Past Simple

2 Present Perfect with For and Since: Compare it with the Past Simple - Answers

1) We’ve only been waiting for 10 minutes.

2) They’ve lived in London since 1982.

3) Alan called about half an hour ago.

4) She was quite a famous actress in the seventies.

5) 5) I’m sorry. He’s in a meeting at the moment.

Back

Which of these sentences refer to unfinished time periods? 1, 2, 5

Are they all present perfect? No. 5 is Present Continuous

Why is present perfect necessary in sentences 1 and 2? Because we use for and since to say how long.

Why is past simple used in 3 and 4? Because a specific time (when) is given

4 Present perfect used to talk about actions in the past that we notice now - Answers

1) You’ve had your hair cut. It looks really nice.

2) Who’s spilt wine on the carpet? There is a big red stain behind the sofa.

3) He’s been smoking again. I can smell tobacco on his breath.

What kind of word did you write? What tense did you use? Verbs - present

What tense is used in the first sentence in each example? Present Perfect

Why is present perfect necessary here? To refer to things that happened in the past, but we can see them, or smell them, or hear them. They have changed since we last saw them.

Is the action in the past or the present? Is it finished? What connection is there with the present?

Past. Yes. The result is in the present.

5 Today so far… (Present perfect with yet & already) - Answers

Mark has already cleaned his teeth. But he hasn’t had breakfast, because he was late for work. He hasn't gone for a beer yet; he’s going after the lesson. He has already prepared his lessons, but he hasn't finished teaching all his classes yet. He hasn’t read the newspaper yet, but he has bought some shopping.


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