Present Perfect

​The present perfect is used to describe an action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.

​

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/written, etc.).

​

Example:

I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)​

She has been to the cinema twice this week (=the week isn't over yet.)​

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

​Just = a short time ago:

• ‘Are you hungry?' ‘No, I've just had lunch.'

• Hello. Have you just arrived?

​

We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected:

• ‘Don't forget to pay your electricity bill' ‘I've already paid it.'

• ‘What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already left.'

​

Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:

• ​Has it stopped raining yet?

• I've written the email, but I haven't sent it yet.

​Study the difference between gone (to) and been (to): ...

​

James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there).

Jane is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)

Fill in the Blanks

Read the situations and write sentences. Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

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

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

Lisa can’t walk and her leg is in plaster.

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

Last week the bus fare was £1.80. Now it is £2. The bus fare

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

Maria’s English wasn't very good. Now it is better. Her English

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

Daniel didn't have a beard before. Now he has a beard.

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

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

Fill in the Blanks

Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

arrive / break / fall / go up / grow / improve / lose

The temperature was 20 degrees. Now it is only 12.

Fill in the Blanks

Put in been or gone

James is on holiday. He's

to Italy.

Fill in the Blanks

Put in been or gone

Hello! I've just

to the shops. I've bought lots of things.

Fill in the Blanks

Put in been or gone

Alice isn't here at the moment. She's

to the shop to get a newspaper.

Fill in the Blanks

Put in been or gone

Tom has

out. He'll be back in about an hour.

Fill in the Blanks

Put in been or gone

‘Are you going to the bank?' 'No, I've already

to the bank.'

Fill in the Blanks

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

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

(have lunch)

Fill in the Blanks

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

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)

Fill in the Blanks

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

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)

Fill in the Blanks

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

You plan to eat at a restaurant tonight. You phoned to reserve a table. Later your friend says,

‘Shall I phone to reserve a table?' You say: No,

(do it)

Fill in the Blanks

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

You know that a friend of yours is looking for a place to live. Perhaps she has been successful.

Ask her. You say

? (find)

Fill in the Blanks

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

You are still thinking about where to go for your holiday. A friend asks, ‘Where are you going for your holiday?'

You say:

(not / decide)

Fill in the Blanks

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

Linda went shopping, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks, ‘Is Linda still out

shopping?'

You say: No,

(come back)