Theory Introduction

The Perfect Tenses denote the actions completed before the present moment (and connected with it) or before a definite moment in the past or future.

The Present Perfect Tense

(have/has + V₃/-ed)

The present Perfect is formed with have/has + Past Participle (gone, decided) of the notional verb.

In the interrogative form the auxiliary verb is placed before the subject: has he done / have you done?

In the negative form notis placed after the auxiliary verb: have not done/has not done (or: hasn’t done/ haven’t done).

The Present Perfect is the tense that links the past with the present. We use the Present Perfect to talk about the past and the present together as there is always connection with now. The Present Perfect expresses the completion or ‘perfection’ of action by the present. The past action or situation is related to the present in various ways.

The Present Perfect tense is used:

1. for actions or states in the past which have a connection with the present.

He has bought a new flat. (= he can live there now)

2. when the results of an action or state are obvious now (the action in the past has a result now).

They have polluted the river. (= and the fish are dead)

3. for actions with expressions like already, ever, never, just, yet, recently, lately, before, still, of late.

I have already written my course paper.

Has it stopped raining yet? – Yes, it has./No, it hasn’t.

We still haven’t got any information.

4. with periods of time that have not finished yet: today, this week/this year/this morning/this evening, all day, all my life.

I’ve drunk three cups of coffee today.

5. to talk about a period that continues until now: in the last two days, so far, since morning, up till now.

We haven’t heard from him up till now.

The child hasn’t eaten anything since morning.

6. with for, since and ever since(often with the verbs that are not used in the Continuous tense)

I have known him since childhood.

I haven’t seen my classmates since we finished school.

Everything has changed here since then.

We have been friends for ten years.

He had an accident last year and has been off work ever since.

7. to give new information or to announce a recent happening and news.

Oh! I’ve cut my finger.

The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

8. for an action which happened in the past and may be repeated.

Jim is an athlete. He has won more than ten medals.

9. for an action which happened at an unstated time in the past (the exact time is not mentioned or implied).

I have read the instructions but I don’t understand them.

Have you passed your driving test?

10. for repeated actions in the past, with words like often, seldom, rarely, lots of times, once, twice, etc.

He has often gone to London. (= and he might do it again)

I’ve watched him on TV several times.

11. after: It’s/This is the first/second time, etc.

I am very nervous. It’s the first time I have driven a car. I have never driven a car before.

She likes this film. It’s the fourth time she has seen it.

12. after the adjective in the superlative degree used in the first part of the sentence.

This is the best job she has ever had.

This is the most important decision we have made in our life.

13. for a situation that exists for a long time (especially if we say always) and this situation still exists now.

He has always worked hard.

The rich have always helped the poor.

14. to express future action in adverbial clauses of time introduced by conjunctions after, when, before, as soon as, till, until, etc. to show that the action of the subordinate clause will be accomplished before the action of the principal clause.

I will go abroad as soon as I have received a visa.

But verbs of sense perseption and motion such as hear, see, come, arrive, return in adverbial clauses of time are generally used in the Present Indefinite and not in the Present Perfect.

He will phone you as soon as he arrives home.

Notes:

1) a conversation about the past action often begins with a question and answer in the Present Perfect, but normally continues in the Past Indefinite, even when no time is given.

– Where have you been? – I have been to the cinema.

– What did you see? – (I saw) “The Titanic”.

– Did you like it? – Yes, I did.

2) in newspapers and broadcasts to introduce an action which will then be described in the Past Indefinite.

Two criminals have escaped from London prison. They climbed a wall and got away in a stolen car.

3) in letters:

I am sorry I haven’t written before, but I’ve been very busy lately as Jack has been away all this time.

We have carefully studied all your suggestions and have decided to take the following action.

4) with the verbs not admitting the Continuous form.

I have known them for years, but we have never been friends.

They have been engaged these two years.

5) in negative sentences:

I haven’t slept for two nights.

6) have gone to – have been to – have been in

Study the examples to see the difference in meaning.

1) “Where is Tom?” “He has gone to London.”

(He is still in London; he hasn’t come back yet).

2) I have been to London two times.

(= I have visited London but now I’m not there. I have returned home.)

Beenis only used when we refer to a completed visit.

Compare:Where have you been? – I havebeenout. (I’m here now)

Where has Ann gone? – She hasgoneout. (She is not here now).

3) Have/has been in = have/has lived in

They have been in England since last year.

= They have lived in England since last year.

The Present Perfect and the Past Indefinite compared:

1. We use the Present Perfect:

a) for the actions which began in the past and continue to the time of speaking or finish at the moment of speaking.

I have known him for three years.

We have never believed his theories.

I haven’t seen you for ages.

b) for the actions which began in the past and continue to the time of speaking and can be repeated in the present and future.

This writer has published three novels. (= his life is not finished)

He has spent a lot of time abroad this year. (= this year is not finished)

Compare these sentences:

1. a) He has been in the army for two years. (He is still in the army)

b) He was in the army for two years. (He is not in the army now)

2. a) He has smoked for six months. (He still smokes)

b) He smoked for six months. (and then stopped smoking)

3. a) They have lived in London for five years. (and still live there)

b) They lived in London for five years. (but they don’t live there now)

2. Whether we use the Present Perfect or Past Indefinite often depends on how we see the action.

Jane has had an accident. They’ve taken her to hospital. (= she is in hospital now)

Jane had an accident. (= she is OK now)

I have seen her this morning. (= It is still morning)

I saw her this morning. (= now the morning is finished)

But:

1. The Present Perfect must never be used if we state or suggest a definite time in the past as we are not interested in when the action took place, we are only interested in the present state of completion; i.e. its result now. That’s why we never use the Present Perfect in questions beginning with when. The Past Indefinite is used in such questions.

I have seen this film already. – When did you see it?

2. We use the Past Indefinite for completed actions that were in the past.

Margaret Mitchel wrote “Gone with the Wind” (= she is dead)

As a child, he spent a lot of time abroad. (= he is an adult now)

3. We use the Past Indefinite with just now.

He phoned just now.

4. Verbs of knowing, believing and understanding as a rule are not used in the Present Perfect (except as shown in 1and 4) above). The Past Indefinite or Present Indefinite are used for recent actions, even when the time is not mentioned.

Compare: I forget the title of the book. (a certain fact)

I have forgotten to phone you. (a certain action)

Practice

Teaching Models

Ex. 1. Read the text and explain the useage of the Present Perfect tense forms. Answer the questions given below according to the model.

A Pretty Carpet

We have just moved into a new house. Today I have worked hard since morning and have got my new room in order. This has not been easy because I own over a thousand of books. As we haven’t bought a new bookcase yet, I have temporarily put my books on the floor and they have covered every inch of the floor space. I actually have to walk on them to get in or out of the room. It is the first time in my life I have walked on the books. I have asked my brother to help me to carry one of my old bookcases up the stairs, but he hasn’t come yet. When he enters the room and sees my books on the floor, he will say, “This is the prettiest carpet I have ever seen.” But as soon as we have carried my old bookcase into the room, I will put the books on the shelves. Walking on my favourite books is one of the most unpleasant experiences I have had in my life.

Model: Where has the family just moved? – They have just moved into a new house.

1. Why hasn’t it been easy to get the room in order?

2. Why has the owner of the room put all the books on the floor?

3. What experiences has he (she) had while walking on the books?

4. What will they do with the books as soon as they have carried their old bookcase into the room?

Ex. 2.Give positive responds to the following orders, suggestions and requests. Work in pairs.

Model:– Discuss this question with the boss, will you?

– We have already discussed it.

1. Type all these business letters today.

2. It’s cold in the room. Will you close the window?

3. Do this exercise now. You won’t have time later.

4. Would you like to go to the theatre this week?

5. Shall I help you to translate this text?

6. Will you make some coffee, please?

7. You must go to the doctor.

8. Take care. Don’t hurt yourself.

Ex. 3.Give negative answers to the following questions using the words suggested.

Model:Can you skate?

– Yes, but I haven’t skated for two years. To be exact, I haven’t skated since last winter/since I left Russia.

1. Do you play chess? (since childhood)

2. Can you sing? (since I fell ill)

3. Can you put up a tent? (since we went camping last time)

4. Could you repair a radio? (since I left the army)

5. Can you write to your parents regularly? (lately)

6. Do you play the piano? (for ages)

7. Do you drive a car? (since the accident)

8. Can you sew a button? (since I got married)

9. Can you read English books in the original? (yet)

Ex. 4.Express the same idea in other words.

Models:

a)I have never eaten pizza before. It’s the first time I have eaten pizza.

1. I’ve never seen this film. It’s ____.

2. She has never been to Italy before. It’s _____.

3. My five-year old nephew has never used a computer in his games. It’s ___.

4. The child has never flown before. It’s _____.

5. She has never been to this club before. It’s _____.

b)I’ve never read such an interesting book. It’s the most interesting book I’ve ever read.

1. She has never heard such a funny story. It’s _____.

2. I have never had such a bad headache. It’s _____.

3. I have seen a horrible film. It is _____.

4. We have bought an expensive car. It’s _____.

5. She has never had such a delicious meal. It’s _____.

Ex. 5. Complete the sentences with the proper tense form. Explain the usage of the tense.

Model: This is the house where I (live) all my life.

This is the house where I have lived all my life.

1. Once a month I go to the theatre, but this month I (not to go) anywhere.

2. She just (ask) the porter to carry her bags as they are too heavy for her. Her train already (arrive).

3. I (not to see) him these three or four days: I think he (fall) ill. He often (be) ill this year.

4. Excuse me, is Mr Smith in? – Sorry, but he just (go) out.

5. You (be) to this picture gallery lately? – No, I (not to visit) this gallery for ages.

6. How long you (live) in that city? – I never (live) there. I only (stay) there once or twice in my life.

7. Now it is for you to judge if I (make) any progress in English. I (work) hard this term.

8. You (have) dinner already? – No, not yet. The waitress (take) my order but (bring) me nothing yet.

9. Where you (to buy) this beautiful suit? – Oh, I (make) it myself. This is the first time I (make) a really good thing for myself.

10. How much time (pass) since she finished school? – She (not to finish) it yet.

11. The Browns (spend) five years abroad. I must say, they (have) an interesting life their. When will they come back? – As soon as their contract (be) over, they will return home.

12. You (hear) anything from your classmates? – Yes, we even (meet) recently. Some of them (get) married, others (divorce).

Ex. 6.Revise the basic usage of the Present Perfect. Give your own examples using the following sentences as models. Translate the sentences into Russian.

Self Check

Ex. 7.Complete the dialogue and dramatize it. Work in pairs.

Think and answer:

1) Has Bill bought a new or a second-hand car?

2) Why has Tom asked so many questions about the car?

Ex. 8.Fill in the gaps with gone to, been toorbeen in.

1. Father has _____ the bank to pay some bills. He will be back in an hour.

2. The Browns have _____ Paris several times.

3. My brother has _____ London for two months now.

4. – Do you know where Mum is? – Yes, she has _____ the Greens’ with Dad.

5. Jane’s sister has _____ hospital since Monday.

6. John has _____ the army for two years.

7. Let’s take the children to the zoo. They haven’t _____ the zoo since last winter.

8. Where have you been? I have _____ the theatre.

9. This pub has _____ the center of village life for centuries.

10. Our neighbour has _____ prison after that accident for a year already.

11. Where have you been?

I have _____ the dentist.

How often have you _____ the dentist this year? – I have _____ him only once.

12. Have you ever _____ America?

Yes, twice. My parents have _____ New York for two months already.

Ex. 9.Use the proper tense form. Explain the usage of the tense.

1. I often (see) him lately, but I never (speak) to him.

2. – You (water) the flowers in my room?

– Oh, I am sorry, I (not to do) it.

3. This is the first time I (repair) our TV set. Look! It seems to me I (do) it very well.

4. This is the most expensive thing I ever (buy). I (get) promotion this year and (earn) enough money to buy some things I (dream) about so long.

5. Dear Jean,

I’m sorry, I (not to write) to you for so long, but today I (get) your letter and (decide) to answer it.

6. – You (make) any mistakes in your translation? – Nobody (inform) me about it yet. But I’m sure this is the best translation I ever (do).

7. She always (be) the best among the best, and it’s quite natural that she (pass) all the exams successfully.

8. I’m still waiting for the bus. It (not to come) yet. All other passengers (go) home in a taxi.

9. Father started fixing the washing machine this morning. – “He (repair) it yet?” – “No, he (be) able to do nothing yet.”

10. Jim is travelling to Moscow on Tuesday. He (book) a plane ticket yet?

11. My jar is empty! Someone (drink) my coffee. Who (do) it?

12. We won’t start the meeting until the employees (arrive).

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1950