Present Perfect Tense

1 Experience You speak / write about things you have done / havent done yet. It is not relevant when these things happened. Ive done lots of dangerous things. Ive been bitten by a snake twice. Shes played a lot of basketball during the last two months. As you have probably seen in the national press, ... 2 Change and Completion You speak about a new and changed situation. Ive had may hair cut short. My Dad had an accident. Hes broken his leg. Ive done my homework. Can I watch TV ? I have also arranged for supper to be held at Thorpes restaurant. Three main programs of research have been identified ... 3 Duration of a state (Duration of an activity: Progressive form) You want to express for how long something has been going on. You speak about a state, not an action. How long have you been close friends ? Youve always treated me like a baby ! Theyve been married since 1985. Our many loyal supporters have long recognised the unique combination ... The last twenty years have seen an increasing commitment made to a range of postgraduate activities 4 Recent events (Duration of an event: Progressive form) You want to express something has happened only a short time ago. Your Mum has just phoned. Where have you been ? - Ive been to the doctors. Ive just got back. Mind: In reported speech, Present Perfect always changes to Past Perfect tense. He said hed just got back.

Exercises Fill in the Present Perfect tense and explain its usage (1-4). I ________________ such a beautiful girl before. (see) But your children ________________ ! (grow) Mr. Thompson _______________ with us for 12 years, I have to say. (be) Since we came here we ________________ many new friends. (make) Peter _____________________ to the department of the interior (transfer) He ______________ a member of the Austrian ski team since 1992. (be) He _________________ in slaloms since 1992. (participate) _________________ to a rave ? (be) I ____________ all I can (do). Jane ? - But she _________________ (leave). You should have met her outside. No, I __________________ an appendix before. (operate) I _________________ at this university for almost 10 years now.(be) For the last two months he ________________ anything but practise for the championships. (not do) I ______________________ to Mannheim before, yes. (be) I dont know where Beryl is. I _________________ (come). I __________________ quite a number of Verdi operas through the years. (see) Ouch ! I ______________ my arm !! (hurt) Mum ! Bring an umbrella ! It _____________________ to rain ! (start) Look ! I _____________ my navel pierced ! (have) For at least two years they _________________ to each other. (not speak) Meier isn't running, he _________________________ (disqualify). I didnt hear the doorbell. I ________________________ tests (correct). How can you marry someone so young ? - I _____________ her for ages (know) No, I ______________ coffee. (make) Why is your hair wet ? - I ______________________ (swim). They __________________ through any up and down you can possibly imagine. (be) Austria ______________ a member of the EU since 1995. (be)

Present / Past / Present Perfect They _________________ their house. It looks much nicer now. Someone _________________ my passport. Ive got to see the police. The accident _____________ at six oclock yesterday. As far as I can remember Santa ______________ 8 reindeer. My Dad _____________ a teacher 25 years ago. It _________________ 25 years for the planet to make a full round of the sun. Santa Claus _____________ at the North Pole. My parents ____________________ for 25 years. I thought I ___________ in heaven. Last night Santa Claus ___________a roe in the snow. My headache ? It _____________ this morning. I _____________ a headache every morning. I ___________________ you pencil. You can have it back in a minute. ______________________to the Burgtheater ? She asked me if I _________________ mad. Whenever I _________ the drums my family __________ mad at me. I _____________ the play last Thursday. I usually __________ my psychotherapist on Thursdays. Since the Christmas party __________________ in love with Romeo. There ___________ a Christmas party at the Flying Dolphin. Nancys leg is in a plaster. I think she _______________ it. They ______________ just a moment ago. They _____________ early every Tuesday. He said he ______________ sure. My family _______________ our dog since I was a baby. In our family we always ______________ a dog. I _______________ Christmas presents. (never buy)

by chilby 2010