Grammar Present perfect and present perfect continuous Present

Grammar Present perfect and present perfect continuous

Present perfect

• 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. ---------------------past now

Present perfect tense Singular plural I have studied we have studied You have studied you have studied She, or it has studied they have studied

• When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now. • Where is your key? I don’t know. I’ve lost it. (I haven’t got it now) • He told me his name but I have forgotten it. (I cant remember it now) • Is Sally here? No she has gone out. (she is out now) • I can’t find my bag. Have you seen it? (do you know where is it 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 has been an accident. • (From the news) The police men have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

Change Over Time • We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time. • You have grown since the last time I saw you. • The government has become more interested in arts education. • My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

Accomplishments • We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time. • Man has walked on the Moon. • Our son has learned how to read. • Doctors have cured many deadly diseases. • Scientists have split the atom.

You can use the present perfect with just, already, before (at the end of the sentence) 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 • “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. • Has it stopped raining yet? • I’ve written the letter but I haven’t posted it yet. • Before (at the end of the sentence): • I haven’t seen him before.

Life experience • Dave: Have you traveled a lot, Jane? • Jane: 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.

Jane’s life (a period until now) ------------------------ • Past now • 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. )

• Have you ever eaten caviar? (in your life) • We’ve never had a car. • ‘Have you read Hamlet? ’ ‘No, I haven’t read any of Shakespeare’s plays. ’ • Susan really loves that film. She has seen it eight times! • What a boring film! It’s the most boring film I’ve ever seen.

• • • In the following example too the speakers are talking about a period that continues till now. (recently / in the last few days / so far / since breakfast) Have you heard from George recently? I’ve met a lot of people in the last few days. Everything is going well. We haven’t had any problems so far. I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast. It’s nice to see you again. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.

Use the perfect with today/ this morning/ this evening etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking. • I’ve drunk four cups of coffee today. (perhaps I’ll drink more before today is finished) • Have you had a holiday this year (yet)? • I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you? • Ron hasn’t worked very hard this term.

Note that we say “It is the first time something has happened. ” • Don is having a driving lesson. He is very nervous and unsure because it is his first lesson. • It is the first time he has driven a car. (not drives) • He has never driven a car before. • Linda has lost her passport again. It’s the second time this happened. (not happens)

• This is a lovely meal. It’s the first good meal I’ve had for ages. • Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That’s the third time he’s phoned her this evening.

Use present perfect with superlatives (est – most) • She is the most beautiful girl I’ve seen in my life. • This is the funniest movie I’ve ever watched.

Present Perfect Continuous • • • FORM [has/have + been + present participle] Examples: You have been waiting here for two hours. Have you been waiting here for two hours? You have not been waiting here for two hours.

USE 1 Duration from the Past Until Now • We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes, " "for two weeks, " and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

• Examples: • They have been talking for the last hour. • She has been working at that company for three years. • What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes? • James has been teaching at the university since June. • We have been waiting here for over two hours! • Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately • You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration such as "for two weeks. " Without the duration, the tense has a more general meaning of "lately. " We often use the words "lately" or "recently" to emphasize this meaning.

• Examples: • Recently, I have been feeling really tired. • She has been watching too much television lately. • Have you been exercising lately? • Mary has been feeling a little depressed. • Lisa has not been practicing her English. • What have you been doing?