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Unit 8 · Present perfect and past

Present perfect 2 (I have done)

Study

A

Study this example conversation:

DAVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?
JANE: Yes, I've been to lots of places.
DAVE: Really? Have you ever been to China?
JANE: Yes, I've been to China twice.
DAVE: What about India?
JANE: No, I haven't been to India.

When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been / have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life, which is a period that continues until now.

In the same way we say:

›

Have you ever eaten caviar?

›

We've never had a car.

›

I don't know what the film is about. I haven't seen it.

›

Susan really loves that book. She's read it three times. (She's = She has)

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It's a really boring movie. It's the most boring movie I've ever seen.

been (to) = visited:

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I've never been to Canada. Have you been there?

B

In the following examples too, the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently, in the last few days, so far, since I arrived etc.):

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Have you heard anything from Ben recently?

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I've met a lot of people in the last few days.

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Everything is going well. There haven't been any problems so far.

›

The weather is bad here. It's (= It has) rained every day since I arrived. (= from when I arrived until now)

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It's good to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

In the same way we use the present perfect with today, this evening, this year etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking:

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I've drunk four cups of coffee today.

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Have you had a holiday this year?

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I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?

C

We say 'It's the (first) time something has happened'. For example: Don is having a driving lesson. It's his first lesson. We can say:

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It's the first time he has driven a car. (not drives)

or He hasn't driven a car before. or He has never driven a car before.

In the same way we say:

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Sarah has lost her passport again. This is the second time this has happened. (not happens)

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Andy is phoning his girlfriend again. It's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

→ Present perfect 1 ➜ Unit 7 Present perfect + for/since ➜ Units 11–12 Present perfect and past ➜ Units 12–14

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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8.1

You ask people about things they have done. Write questions with ever.

  1. 1
    (ride / horse?) example
  2. 2
    (be / California?)
  3. 3
    (run / marathon?)
  4. 4
    (speak / famous person?)
  5. 5
    (most beautiful place / visit?)
8.2

Complete B's answers. Some sentences are positive and some negative. Use these verbs:

bebeeathappenhavehavemeetplayreadseetry
  1. 1
    What's Mark's sister like?
    I've no idea. her.example
  2. 2
    Is everything going well?
    Yes, we any problems so far.example
  3. 3
    Are you hungry?
    Yes. I much today.
  4. 4
    Can you play chess?
    Yes, but for ages.
  5. 5
    Are you enjoying your holiday?
    Yes, it's the best holiday for a long time.
  6. 6
    What's that book about?
    I don't know. it.
  7. 7
    Is Brussels an interesting place?
    I've no idea. there.
  8. 8
    I hear your car broke down again yesterday.
    Yes, it's the second time this month.
  9. 9
    Do you like caviar?
    I don't know. it.
  10. 10
    Mike was late for work again today.
    Again? He late every day this week.
  11. 11
    Who's that woman by the door?
    I don't know. her before.
8.3

Write four sentences about yourself. Use I haven't and choose from the boxes.

used a computerbeen to the cinematravelled by busread a bookeaten any fruitlost anythingtodaythis weekrecentlyfor agessince ...this year
  1. 1
    example
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
8.4

Read the situations and complete the sentences.

  1. 1
    Jack is driving a car for the first time. He's very nervous and not sure what to do.
    It's the first time a car.example
  2. 2
    Some children at the zoo are looking at a giraffe. They've never seen one before.
    It's the first time a giraffe.
  3. 3
    Sue is riding a horse. She doesn't look very confident or comfortable.
    She before.
  4. 4
    Joe and Lisa are on holiday in Japan. They've been to Japan once before.
    This is the second time .
  5. 5
    Emily is staying at the Prince Hotel. She stayed there a few years ago.
    It's not the first this hotel.
  6. 6
    Ben is playing tennis for the first time. He's a complete beginner.
    before.