Present perfect (1) (I have done)

A. Study this example situation:

              Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key. 'He has lost 

     his key' = He lost it and he still hasn't got it.

     Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:

     I/we/they/you have (= I've etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.

     he/she/it has (= he's etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.

             The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past 

     participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs 

     are irregular (lost/done/been/written etc.). For a list of irregular verbs, see 

     Appendix 1.

 

B. When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The 

     action in the past has a result now:

     * 'Where's your key?' J don't know. I've lost it.' (I haven't got it now)

     * He told me his name but I've forgotten it. (I can't remember it now)

     * 'Is Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.' (she is out now)

     * I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (do you know where it is now?)

       We often use the present perfect to give new information or to announce 

       a recent happening:

     * Ow! I've cut my finger.

     * The road is closed. There's been (= there has been) an accident.

     * (from the news) The police have arrested two men in connection with the 

       robbery.

C. You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet:

    Just = a short time ago:

    * 'Would you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.'

    * Hello. Have you just arrived?

      We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected (see 

      also Unit 110D).

   * 'Don't forget to post the letter, will you?' 'I've already posted it.'

   * 'What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already gone.'

           Yet = 'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to 

      happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences (see also Unit 110C):

   * Has it stopped raining yet?

   * I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.

D. Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):

   * Jim is away on holiday. He has gone to Spain. (= he is there now or on his way 

      there)

   * Jane is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now 

      come back from Italy) For been (to) see also Units 8 and 125B.

    EXERCISES

7.1 You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you give news about yourself 

     and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the present 

     perfect.

  Dear Chris,

  Lots of things have happened since I last wrote to you.

  1. I/buy/a new car

      I've bought a new car.

  2. my father/start/a new job

  3. I/give up/smoking

  4. Charles and Sarah/go/to Brazil

  5. Suzanne/have/a baby

7.2 Read the situations and write sentences. Choose one of the following:

  arrive  break  go up  grow  improve  lose

  1. Mike is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key.

  2. Margaret can't walk and her leg is in plaster. She ---

  3. Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is much better. ---

  4. Tim didn't have a beard last month. Now he has a beard. ---

  5. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it. ---

  6. Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. ---

7.3 Complete Bs sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just/already/yet (as sbown).

  1. A: Would you like something to eat?

      B: No, thanks. I've just had lunch. (just/have)

  2. A: Do you know where Julia is?

      B: Yes, I --- her. (just/see)

  3. A: What time is David leaving?

      B: He --- (already/leave)

  4. A: What's in the newspaper today?

      B: I don't know. I --- (not/read/yet)

  5. A: Is Ann coming to the cinema with us?

      B: No, she --- the film. (already/see)

  6. A: Are your friends here yet?

      B: Yes, they --- (just/arrive)

  7. A: What does Tim think about your plan?

      B: I --- (not/tell/yet)

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.

  1. After lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says 'Would you like 

      something to eat?' 

      You say: No, thank you. I've just had lunch. (have lunch)

  2. Joe goes out. Five minutes later, the phone rings and the caller says 'Can I 

      speak to Joe?'

      You say: I'm afraid --- (go out)

  3. You are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts

      to take your plate away.

     You say: Wait a minute! --- (not/finish)

  4. You are going to a restaurant this evening. You phone to reserve a table. Later 

      your friend says 'Shall I phone to reserve a table?'

      You say: No --- it. (do)

  5. You know that a friend of yours is looking for a job. Perhaps she has been 

      successful. Ask her.

     You say: ---? (find)

  6. Ann went to the bank, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks 'Is 

      Ann still at the bank?'

      You say: No, --- (come back)

7.5 Put in been or gone.

  1. Jim is on holiday. He's gone to Italy.

  2. Hello! I've just --- to the shops. I've bought lots of things.

  3. Alice isn't here at the moment. She's --- to the shop to get a newspaper.

  4. Tom has. --- out. He'll be back in about an hour.

  5. 'Are you going to the bank?' 'No, I've already --- to the bank.'