3. Her friends ____ canceled, so she's free tonight.

4. The coffee fresh. Have some.

5. It looks like your package ____ arrived.
6. Your sister downstairs. She's borrowing some boxes for her move.
7. Our neighbors planned a party for next weekend.
8. What we told them? Are we going?

EXERCISE 18 � Warm-up. (Chart 2- 6)

What do you notice about the verb tenses in blue? Discuss the differences.

1 ·ve heard a lot of good Yes. I took one of

things about Professor Stevens, her classes last year.
but I haven't taken any of her I loved it.
classes. Have you?

2-6 Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

PRESENT PERFECT (a) I've met Linda, but I haven't met The PRESENT PERFECT is used to talk
C'-· her husband. Have you met him? about past events when there is no
Q)
specific mention of time.

x
:;::;
In (a): The speaker is talking about
some unspecified time before now.

SIMPLE PAST (b) I met Helen yesterday at a party. The SIMPLE PAST is used when there is a
Her husband wasthere too,butl specific mention of time.
didn't meet him. Did you meet him
In (b): The speaker is thinking of a
at the party?
specific time: yesterday.

)(

PRESENT PERFECT (c) Sam has been a math teacher for The PRESENT PERFECT is used for
ten years. He loves teaching. situations that began in the past and
continue to the present.
In (c): The present perfect tells us that
Sam is still a teacher now.

SIMPLE PAST (d) Jim was a teacher for ten years, The SIMPLE PAST is used for situations
0 from 2000 to 2010. Now he is an that began and ended in the past.

f
0 engineer.
In (d): The simple past tells us that Jim
0 is not a teacher now.
0

)(

36 CHAPTER 2
 Present perfect and
past simple
Present perfect simple and past simple; present perfect simple
and continuous•

Context listeni

1=3 Safi p
S \?

nYou are going to hear two people called Mike and Lucy talking to each other. Before you listen,
look at the picture.

1 How do Mike and Lucy know each other?

2 What is Lucy's problem?

DOI Listen and check if you were right.

EN DOT Listen again and write Mike and Lucy's exact words. Stop the recording when you need to.
1 What does Mike say about finishing work? He says: ' I finished. at IAA nchtirn e today.
2 What does he say about this afternoon? He says: '
3 What does Lucy say about finishing her essay? She says: '
4 When does she say she started it? She says: '
5 What does Mike say about studying history? He says: '
6 How long has Lucy lived next door? She says:'
7 How long has Mike lived there? He says:'
8 Why is Mike surprised? He says: '

4 Look at your answers to Exercise 3 and answer these questions.

1 Look at answers 1,4 and S. What tense are they?

2 Look at answers 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8. What tense are they?
3 Which sentences are about a time period which continues up to the moment of speaking?

4 Which sentences are about a period of time which is finished?

24
 Present perfect and past simple

Grammar
Present perfect simple or past simple?
Present perfect simple

has/have + past participle I've written it.

has/have not + past participle She hasn't written it.

2 has/have ... + past participle? Have you written it?

Some verbs are irregular: break -'broken; go —t gone (> See Web page: Irregular verbs.)
> For past simple forms, see Unit 2, I31.

We use the present perfect simple We use the past simple:

with since or for, about a period of time which with for, about a period of time which is finished:
continues up to the present moment: Ilived there for four years. (= but! don't live there
I've lived there for four years. (= and I still live there) now)

four years now 4— four years -II. now

I moved there I live there I moved there I moved out I don't live there

I've lived next door since June. (= and I still live next
door now)

with questions asking how long with questions asking when:

How long have you lived here? (= I know you still When did you move here? (= the move is in the past)
live here)
Sometimes we can also use the present perfect
continuous. >See B2

in the negative, for unfinished actions and events, for completed actions and events in the past,
often with still or yet: often with ago:
still haven't sent the email. I sent the email half an hour ago.
I haven't sent the email yet
Still and yet are always used with a negative in the
present perfect. Still goes before the verb; yet goes
after it.

for events repeated over a period of time until the for events repeated over a period of time in the
present (they may continue): past (they are now finished):
You've played the saxophone every night. (= until You played the saxophone every night. (= but you
now, and you will probably continue to play every don't any more)
night)

for events which happened in the past at a time

which is unknown and/or irrelevant:
I've started my essay. (= we don't know when)
I've lost my new camera. (= it's not important when
or where)

25
 Present perfect and past simple

We use the present perfect simple: We use the past simple

for events that happened in the recent past (often for events that happened at a particular time in the
with just): past:
Flight 206 has landed. (= in the last few minutes) Flight 206 landed at one o'clock.
She's just gone to the cinema. (= she's on her way or or within a period of time in the past
she's already there now) She was at the cinema between midday and two
o'clock. (= but she's not there now)

when the time stated is not finished: when the time stated is finished:
I've spent this morning writing an essay. (= it's still ( spent this morning writing an essay. (= it's now
morning) afternoon so 'this morning' is in the past)
9 am midday 9 am midday 4 pm
this morning

now writing an essay now

.4
writing an essay I started my essay last week. (= 'last week' is
definitely in the past)
The builders have started working on the kitchen
Ilost my new camera in London. (= the place fixes
this week (= it's still this week)
it at a time in the past)

when we talk about a period of time up to the when we talk about past events which are not
present: connected to the present:
I've been to Los Angeles but not to New York. I went to Los Angeles but not to New York. (= on a
(= in my life up to now) particular trip which is in the past)
The team has won several matches. (= and may The Chinese invented printing.
win more)

when we talk about how many times something when we talk about how many times something
has happened up to now happened in the past:
Alex has phoned Ella three times. (= and he might Alex phoned Ella three times yesterday.
phone her again)

with adverbs like already, before, ever and never

Nobody's ever complained before. (= until now)
I've never tried Japanese food. (= but I might
one day)
She's already gone to the airport.
I've met her before somewhere
Never, ever and already go between the auxiliary
and the main verb. Before goes after the verb.

after a superlative (n see Unit 7):

It's the best cup of coffee I've had here.
This is the most exciting place we've been to.

26
 Present tense and past simple 3
IN Present perfect simple or continuous?

Present perfect continuous

+ has/have been + verb + -ing I've been working hard.

— has/have not been + verb + -ing She hasn't been working hard.

? has/have ... + been + verb + -ing? Have you been working hard?

The present perfect and the present perfec continuous are both used to describe events or activities which
started in the past and have continued up o the present, or activities which stopped recently. Some verbs can be
used in either the present perfect simple or continuous with little difference in meaning. These are verbs which
describe activities which normally happen over a period of time, e.g. live, study, wait, work
Martin has lived / has been living in Japan for five years.

We use the present perfect continuous: We use the present perfect simple:

to talk about how long something has been to talk about how often or how many times
happening something has happened:
lye been driving since five o'clock this morning. I've driven there several times before.
The children have been playing happily all morning. The children have played four games of tennis
We've been worrying about her all week. this morning.
How long have you been watching TV? I've worried about her every day since she set off
I've watched three programmes.

to focus on the activity or event itself (whether it to focus on the present result of an activity or event
is complete or not is unimportant): which is complete:
He's been reading that book since he got up. I've read the newspapers. (= I've finished reading
(= we're interested in how he passed the time) them)
I've been mending the car. (= that% why I'm dirty) I've mended the car. (= I've finished so we can
go out in it now)

A We never use the present tense to talk about how long we have been doing something
I've been learning the piano for a longtime. (not fin lcurning thr.. p;uf fia u lur hare)
He's been playing in a band for two years. (not I It's tdaYalg Ui a baud fin btu/ years)
AState verbs are not usually used in the present perfect continuous (> see Unit 1, B3):
I've known her since she was four years old. (not sve bra, k,.on'I.
I've always hated cold weather (not Scw w y er I u&rs cvlJ arc ecr

27
 Present perfect and past simple

Grammar exercises
n Match the beginnings and endings of these sentences.
1 He's talked to her on the phone A for years.
2 This summer the pool was only open on my way home from school yesterday.
3 The whole team felt exhausted C since nine o'clock this morning.
4 The rent of my flat has gone up D when the match finished.
5 She's had nothing to eat ever since she was very young.
6 I got very wet by 20 per cent this year.
7 I spent a month in Brazil G a few minutes ago.
8 She's always enjoyed painting H from April till September.
9 I haven't had such a good time 1 in 2002.
10 This text arrived 1 every night this week.

nFill in the gaps with the present perfect or past simple form of the verbs.
1 This is only the second time I 'Ye' en.. th" (evenly) in an aeroplane.
2 The child (sleep) from seven till seven without waking once.
3 Gabriella (grow) five centimetres since last month.
4 I (send) Ed three emails last week but he (not reply) to any
of them yet.
5 (you / learn) to play chess when you were a child?
6 I (buy) this bicycle five years ago and I (use) it every day
since then.
7 How long (you / have) that bad cough?
8 The train (just arrive), so hurry and you might catch it.
9 I (never see) such a beautiful rainbow before.
10 I (dream) about a beautiful desert island last night.
11 On Sunday we (meet) outside the cinema as usual.
12 When (you / get) that jacket? I (not notice) it before.

n CO Choose the correct verb forms in these sentences by Cambridge First candidates.

1 I think that my friend Andrew has worked / has been working too hard recently and needs a rest.
2 I have been working/ worked with children when I was at university.
3 How many times have you eaten / have you been eating Japanese food?
4 Since I left school in the summer I have been doing / have done a holiday job.
Two years ago I did / have done a course in coaching basketball.
6 lam so happy to receive your invitation. I have waited / have been waiting for it for ages!

28
 Present tense and past simple 3
Fill in the gaps with suitable verbs in the present perfect or the past simple.

Hi from Richard in Spain

1 (1) 'vs been here in Spain for two

weeks now and I'm having a great time.
When 1(2) at the airport
1 (3) very lonely. But I
(4) (already) some friends
and I'm staying with a very nice family.
They (5) me to the seaside last
weekend and we (6) in the sea
I really (7) it. I (S) some Spanish but I (9) (not) to any
language classes yet — they start next week.
It's now midnight and I need to go to bed as 1 (10) a very busy day.
1 (11) shopping this morning and 1 (12) football this afternoon.

See you in a month!

nRead this conversation between two people in a sports club. Choose the correct verb forms.
Anna: Excuse me. (1) We've waited / We've been waiting to play tennis since 10.30. It must be our turn now.
Tim: I don't think so.
Anna: (2) We've stood I We've been standing here patiently watching you and it's time for you to stop.
How long (3) have you played 1 have you been playing?
Tim: Since about 9.30. (4) We've played I We've been playing two matches so far this morning and
(5) we haven't finished I we haven't been finishing the third yet. You'll have to wait or do
something else.
Anna: But (6) you've played I you've been playing for more than two hours and it's our turn now.
Tim: I said you'll have to wait.
Anna: We're tired of waiting and we haven't got anything to do. (7) We've read 1 We've been reading the
magazines we brought with us.
Tim: Why don't you do something else? (8) Have you tried / Have you been trying the swimming pool?
Anna: We don't want to swim, we want to play tennis.
Tim: Well, I always play on a Saturday morning. Anyway, (9) we've already started / we've already been
starting the third match.
Anna: Oh well, it looks like we've got no choice, but (10) we've booked / we've been booking for next
Saturday so you'll be unlucky then.

29
II
Exam practice
Reading and Use of English Part 7
You are going to read a magazine article about people who like clothes. For questions 1-10, choose from the
people (A-D). The people may be chosen more than once.

Which person

thinks people don't give enough importance to one kind of clothing? 1

learned something after an experience with some clothing? 2

made a decision to buy something they had always wanted? 3

is happy with the social requirements of their job? 4

admits not giving importance to self-promotion? 5

chooses clothes so as not to draw attention to themselves? 6

did something out of character? 7

never expected to go into their present line of business? 8

mentions circumstances in which it is important to keep a sense of humour? 9

no longer does something which they now consider foolish? 10

Me and my clothes
A Paula, a clothes designer
When you're young you can get away with cheap clothes, though I think I had expensive tastes even
then. In fact I've always spent a lot on clothes and I've always loved what they can do for you but I never
anticipated making money from them. At one point when I didn't have a job my husband said, 'Surely you
must be able to make something'. That was the kick I needed to get me started.
I'm mad about swimsuits. Because I make my own clothes, I'm always thinking about changing a collar
on something or changing a fabric, but because I don't make swimsuits they're free from all that. I have
several. People take one on holiday and think that's enough, yet they wouldn't dream of wearing the same
trousers day after day. I don't understand that.

B Len, a businessman
I've enjoyed motorbikes since I was 16. But for a long time I didn't own one; I rode my brother's instead.
Then about two years ago I bought one. I thought: if I don't get one now, I never will. I always walked to
work every morning until I got the motorbike, but now I ride there most days. I bought a leather jacket as
a solution to the problem of needing to wear a suit to work and wanting to come in by bike. It would be
impossible to be changing all the time. When I was younger I rode a bike several times without a helmet.
That was in parts of the United States where it wasn't compulsory, but it's madness. There's enough risk
on a bike without adding more.

30
 Exam practice Present tense and past simple 3
II

C Marion, a singer
When I was in a musical I wore wonderful skirts made by a designer but they were incredibly heavy, and
during the first performance I fell over twice on stage performing in them.That hasn't happened to me again
because I know now that you need much lighter clothes to perform in. A little while after that, I was singing at
a friend's wedding so I asked the same designer to make a really stunning dress for me. I've worn it just
a few times since then — to awards ceremonies — but I feel great in it. My career's never been structured.
Perhaps it should have been but I'm hopeless at pushing myself. I went to the United States when a film I
was in, Enchanted April was really big but I never dreamed of hiring a publicist or anything. I suppose one
measure of success was when I did my first TV advert and I went into the sort of shop I'd always been
scared to go into before and bought something without looking at the price. That just wasn't like me.

D Tom, chief executive of a charity

I worked as a lawyer until I was in my forties but I've been director of a charity for ten years now. I'm out two
or three nights a week at dinners to raise money. It goes with a job like this and it's fun too. I wear a suit and
tie to most events. They're a kind of uniform, which is helpful because I'm not naturally a stylish dresser. I
like to feel comfortable and fit in, and this way I'm not conscious of my appearance. If I was, I'd probably
be horrendously shy. One of my big mistakes in my early days was to make a speech that was too serious.
People said afterwards that it was very powerful but that wasn't what I'd intended. If you're too serious in
my kind of business it puts people off.

) Exam tip

There will be at least one answer for each text, so check

again if you have one text with no answers in it.

Grammar focus task

Without looking back at the text, complete these extracts with the present perfect simple or the past
simple form of the verbs in the box.

anticipate be be buy enjoy fall get happen own spend walk wear work

1 I 'ye etwcup spat (always) a lot on clothes but I never making money
fltirll them.
2 I motorbikes since I was 16. But for a long time I (not) one.
Then about two years ago I one.
3 I always to work every morning until I the motorbike,
but now I ride there most days.
4 During the first performance I over twice on stage performing in them. That
(not) to me again.
5 I it just a few times since then.
6 I as a lawyer until I in my forties but I
director of a charity for ten years now.

31
Study this example situation:

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

He has Lost his key. (present perfect)
This means that he doesn't have his key now.

Ten minutes later:

Now Tom has found his key. He has it now.

Has he lost his key? No, he has found it.
Did he Lose his key? Yes, he did.
He lost his key (past simple)
but now he has found it. (present perfect)

The present perfect (something has happened) is a present tense. lt always tells us about the
situation now. 'Tom has lost his key'= he doesn't have his key now (see Unit 7).

The past simple (something happened) tells us only about the past. If somebody says 'Tom lost his
key', this doesn't tell us whether he has the key now or not. lt tells us only that he lost his key at some
time in the past.
Do not use the present perfect if the situation now is different. Compare:
0 They've gone away. They'll be back on Friday. (they are away now)
They went away, but I think they're back at home now. (not They've gone)
0 lt has stopped raining now, so we don't need the umbrella. (it isn't ra ining now)
lt stopped raining for a while, but now it's raining again. (not lt has stopped)

You can use the present perfect for new or recent happenings:
0 'I've repaired the washing machine. lt's working OK now.' 'Oh, that's good.'
0 'Sally has had a baby! lt's a boy.' 'That's great news.'
Usually, you can also use the past simple:
0 I repaired the washing machine. lt's working OK now.
Use the past simple (not the present perfect) for things that are not recent or new:
0 Mozart was a composer. He wrote more t han 600 pieces of music.
(not has been ... has written)
0 My mother grew up in Italy. (not has grown)
Compare:
0 Did you know that somebody has invented a new type of washing machine?
0 Who invented the telephone? (not has invented)

We use the present perfect to give new information (see Unit 7) . But if we continue to talk about it,
we normally use the past simple:
0 A : Ow! I've burnt myself.
s: How did you do that? (not have you done)
A: I picked up a hot dish. (not have picked)

0 A: Look! Somebody has spilt something on the sofa.

s: Well, it wasn't me. I didn't do it. (not hasn't been ... haven't done)

Past s i m pl e ~ Unit 5 Present perfect ~ Units 7- 8 Present perfect and past 2 ~ Unit 14
Am erica n English ~App e ndi x 7
 Unit
Exercises -_ 13
Complete the sentences using the verbs in brackets. Use the present perfect where possible.
Otherwise use the past simple.
The office is empty now.
Everybody
GJ (go) home.

I can't get in.

\e
1 .... lq?t . (lose) my
key.

I meant to call you last night,

but I Helen
(forget) . (go) to Egypt for a holiday, but
she's back home in England now.

Yes, I ....... . Can you help us? Our car

(have) a headache, but I'm
fine now.

Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct them where necessary.
1 Did you hear about Sue? She's given up her job. Ok ... . ........ ...... _ .................................... .
2 My mother has grown up in Italy. .... .gr~ . .. ...... . ... .. ............................... ....... .
3 How many poems has William Shakespeare written? ............................................................ ............................... .
4 Ow! I've cut my finger. lt's bleeding. ........ ......... ............ ...............................................
5 Drugs have become a big problem everywhere. . ... . . .. . ..... ............................. .
6 Who has invented paper? ....... .. .. ..... . . ..... ...................................
7 Where have you been born? .................... .... .. ..... . . . ...... _...........................
8 Ellie isn't at home. She's gone shoppi ng. ................... . .... ......................................
9 Albert Einstein has been the scientist who .................... ............ ....... .. ... ..... ..
has developed the theory of relativity. ....... ... ....... .. ........ .. . ........................ .

Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1 lt stoPP eeL
.......... ...... · · f or a w h'l1 e, b ut now ·1t 's rammg
ra1n1ng · · agam. · 1 I st op )
('t
2 The town where I live is very different now. . .l.t h.~~ ...~.@.9~ ..... a lot. (it I change)
3 I studied German at schoo l, but ......... ..... .... .... . .. ..... ............. most of it now. (I I forget)
4 The police . three people, but later they let them go. (arrest)
5 What do you think of my English? Do you think ? (it I improve)
6 A: Are you still reading the paper?
s: No, ... . .............. with it. You can have it. (I I finish)
7 _....... for a job as a tourist guide, but I wasn 't successful. (I I apply)
8 Where's my bike? ..... . .. . ..... outside the house, but it's not there now. (it I be)
9 Quick! We need to ca ll an ambulance. . .. .. . ...... . .... .. ... an accident. (there I be)
10 A: Have you heard about Ben? .................... .... ................ his arm. (he I break)
B: Rea lly? How .. .. .... . .... ... ..... ? (that I happen)
A: . . . .. ... . ..... . ... off a ladder. (he I fall)

27
Do not use the present perfect (I have done) when you talk about a finished time (for example,
yesterday I ten minutes ago I in 2005 I when I was a child). Use a past tense:
0 lt was very cold yesterday. (not has been)
0 Paul and Lucy arrived ten minutes ago. (not have a rrived)
0 Did you eat a lot of sweets when you were a child ? (not have you eaten)
0 I got home late last night. I was very tired and went straight to bed.
Use the past to ask When ... ? or What time ... ?:
0 When did your friends arrive? (not have ... arrived)
0 What time did you finish work?
Compare:

Present perfect
.__] Tom has Lost his key. He can't get
into the house.
=
Past simple
Tom Lost his key yesterday.
He couldn 't get into the house.
0 Is Carla here or has she Left? 0 When did Ca rt a Leave ?

Compare:

Present perfect (have done) Past simple (did )

0 I've done a lot of work today. ~ I did a lot of work yesterday.
We use the present perfect for a period of time We use the past simple for a finished t ime in
that continues until now. For example: the past. For example:
today I this week I since 2007. yesterday I last week I from 2007 to 2010.
I
1 unfinished 1 1 unfinished 1
I to1ay I I yesterday I
past now past now

0 lt hasn't rained this week. 8 lt didn't rain last week.

0 Have you seen Anna this morning? 8 Did you see Anna this morning?
(it is sti ll morning) (it is now afternoon or evening)
0 Have yo u seen Tim recently? 8 Did yo u see Tim on Sunday?
0 I don 't know whe re Lisa is. I haven't 0 A: Was Lisa at the party on Sunday?
seen he r. (= I haven't seen her B: I don't think so. I didn't see her.
recently)
0 We've been waiting for an hour. := We waited (or were waiting) fo r a n
(we a re sti ll wa iting now) hour. (we are no longer waiting)
0 Jack lives in Los Angeles. He has Lived 0 Jack Lived in New York for ten years.
there for seven years. Now he lives in Los Angeles.
0 I have never played golf. (in my life) 8 I didn't play golf Last summer.
C) lt's the last day ofyour holiday. You say: C After you come back from holiday you
lt's been a really good holiday. say: lt was a really good holiday.
I've really enjoyed it. I really enjoyed it.

Past simple _. Unit 5 Present perfect _. Units 7- 8 Present perfect and past 1 _. Unit 13
Exercises
Are the underlined parts of these sentences right or wrong? Correct them where necessary.
1 I've lost my key. I can,t find it anywhere. . . 0-'S........... .......... .................. ......... ....... .......... ...................... ...
2 Have you eaten a lot of sweets when you were a child? ..Di4...W?.~... ~--·· ············ ·... ....
3 I've bought a new car. You must come and see it.
4 I've bought a new ca r last week.
5 Where have you been yesterday evening?
6 Lucy has left school in 1999.
7 I'm looking for Mike. Have you seen him?
8 'Have you been to Paris?, 'Yes, many times.'
9 l,m very hungry. I haven,t eaten much today.
10 When has this book been published?

Make sentences from the words in brackets. Use the present perfect or past simple.
1 (it I not I rain I this week) . lt . h ~?..n.\...r~.~ ~-~? ....W.~ , ....................... .... . ...... ............... ... .... . .. ..... .
2 (the weather I be I cold I recently) The weather ................................................................ ..... ... ......................................................
3 (it I cold I last week) lt ........ ..... . .......... ........ .. ....... .... .. . ...................... ..................... ........ .......... .........................................................
4 (I I not I read I a newspaper yesterday) I . . .......... ........ .. .. ................ .. . ...................
5 (I I not I read I a newspaper today) ......... ... . . .. . ................... . . . .... .. . . ....... . . ...... .. ... . . ..
6 (Emily I earn I a lot of money I this year) ................................ .................... ......... ................................... .............. . .
7 (she I not I earn I so much I last year) ................. ..................................................... ........................................... ........................
8 (you I have I a holiday recently?) .......... ....... ............................. . . . ........ ... ..... .. ..................................... ...

Put the verb into the correct form, present perfect or past simple.
1 'Whafs Madrid like?, 'I don,t know. ..... J... h.Q--Y.~nl ..P.e&n..... (I I not I be) there. '
2 When . ... .............. ...... .. . ...................... ... (I I get) home last night, ............................... ....................... (I I be)
very tired and ..... .............. (I I go) straight to bed.
3 A: ........... ... .................................... ...... (you I see) Lisa recently?
B: Yes, ... ............ ..... ..... .. ........... ...... .... .. (I I saw) her a few days ago.
4 l,m tired. ... .... . . ... ......... .. . .................. .... (1 I not I sleep) well last night.
5 The bu s drivers were on strike last week. .. (there I be) no buses.
6 Mr Lee . ........ (work) in a bank for 15 years. Then ........................................ (he I give)
it up. Now he works as a gardener.
7 Mary lives in Dublin. .... ...... .... .. ....... .................. . ............ . (she I live) there all her life.
8 A: ... . .. ................ ..... ................... (you I go) to the cinema last night?
B: Yes, but ........ ....... .................. . ..... (it I be) a mistake. The film .......... (be) awful.
9 My grandfather .. ....... ........ ... .. ... ............... (die) before I was born. . .... ............................................. ..
(1 I never I meet) him.
10 I don't know Karen's husband. .. .......................................................................... (I I never I meet) him.
11 Ifs nearly lunchtime, and .. .. .. ..... ........... ... .. ...... ...... . (I I not I see) Martin all morning.
I wonder where he is.
12 'Where do you live?, 'In Boston.'
'How long ................................................................................. . (you I live) there?' 'Five years.'
'Where .. ....... ... .. ....... . . . . .. ..... ...... . . (you I live) before that?' 'I n Chicago.,
'And how long ...... ........... ... .. . . .... . ........... .. .... . (you I live) in Chicago?' 'Two years.'

Write sentences about yourself using the ideas in brackets.

(something you haven't done today) .... ..1. ~.QvV:~Y1. .i:.....~n CM1H ...fr.tA.~...t9~................... .. .. ......... ........ .
1

1
2 (something you haven,t done today) .... .... ... . ....... ... .... . ... ..... .... ............. ..
3 (something you didn,t do yesterday) .... . ..... . ............ .. . . . ... ......... .. .. .. .............
4 (something you did yesterday evening) ............ ... ................. .. . .......................... ..... . . ................ ....... ..... .. ............... ..
5 (something you haven't done recently) ......................................................................................................................................................
6 (something you've done a lot recently) .... ..... .. . ...... . .. . . ..... . . ...... .. . ....... ............ .. ...................... .

_.Additional exercises 2- 4 (pages 303- 04) , 14- 15 (pages 310- 11) 29

 finished actions: present perfect or simple past?
lffi
PRESENT PERFECT: WE THINK ABOUTTHE PAST AND THE PRESENT TOGETHER
When we think about the past and present together, we normally use
the present perfect.
l've written to John, so he knows what's happening now.
I've made o cake. Would you like some?
Look - I've bought o new dress.

FINISHED ACTION PRESENT PERFECT PRESENT

letter(yesterday) fyewrittentoJohn.4-..-.----------'-- Johnknowsnorv.

cake(thismorning) *- --**--."-iF I'vemadeacake.Wouldyoulikesome? q -..-- l'mofferingyousomenow.
-*---+i
new dress (lastTuesday) -:*-**----F- Look - I've bought a new dress. .d---- ---.-.. l'm showing you now.
-
SIMPLE PAST: WE THINK ONLY ABOUTTHE PASI NOTTHE PRESENT
When we think only aboulthe past, we most often use the simple past.
My grandfather wrote me a lot of letters.
(He's dead now; l'm not thinking about the present.)
I made a cake for the children, but they didn't like it.
(l'm not talking about the present.)
I bought o new dress lastTuesday, for the party.
(l'm thinking only about last Tuesday.)

ii Read the sentences and the questions, and circle the correct answers.
) Ann has bought a new coat. Has she got the coat now? (ill eenHnes
}Grandmacametostaywithus.lsGrandmawithusnow?''s/@
1 I madeacupoftea.lstheretea now? yEs/pRoBABLyNoT
2 Eric has made a cake. ls there a cake now? YEs / PRoBABLY NoT
3 Jane went to France. ls she there now? yEs / DoN'T KNow
4 'Marlon has gone to Scotland. ls he there now? YES / DoN'T KNOW
5 Pat and Al started a business. ls the business still running? yEs / DoN'T KNow
6 Sue has started guitar lessons. ls she taking lessons now? yEs / DoN'T KNow
7 The cat has run away. ls the cat at home now? No / DoN'T KNow
8 The doctor sent Bill into hospital. ls he there now? yES / DoN'T KNoW
9 Pete lost his glasses. Has he got his glasses now? No i DoN'T KNow
1 0 Joanna has cut all her hair off. Has she got any hair now? No / DoN'T KNow
(Circ]9)the correct verb forms.
1 Shakespea rc never travelled / has never travelled in Africa.
2 When I was at school I studied / hove studied Latin.
3 Rob lost / hos lost his job, and he can't find another one.
4 We met / hoye rnef some very interesting people on our last holiday.
5 Look -l bought/'ve boughtsome new shoes.
6 My grandmother left / has /eft school at 14.
7 'Does your father know you're back in England?' 'Yes,l told /'ve told him.
8 I mode /'ve made mushroom soup. Would you like some?

9 'What's Rosie's phone number?' 'Sorry, I forgot /'ve forgotten!

10 Who built / hos burlt Edinburgh Castle?

60 I}LIiFFCI T[T,J5LT
 What are the people saying? Look at the pictures
and complete the sentences with verbs from the
box. Use the present perfect.

break,/ break buy cut

give pass sell send stop
eat find W 'toor<a
ffi&l+l
s$ffi\
1

2
3
'#b
4
5
,Cisl
uiWva ffi,f,.,
'A"h\i ,@ffi
6
7

B W,-'\
dL ,4 {fflF
e$
9
10 q'V " vlb
#%
"A{AX ro a:5
'TT1J
Put the beginnings and ends together, and put in the present perfect verbs.

break/ change close find forget go leave lend lose see

o Joe ..Y.q:.9.rP.&C*. his res,

1 Molly can't get into her house
2 'He's looking unhappyJ
3 'Who's that?'
4 'That's a good film. Shall we go?'
5 'Where's Loqise?'
6 'Can I borrow your bicycle?'
7 Anton .. a new job.
8 'Shall we have lunch at the Cantina?'
9 'Denise looks different.'

Note the difference between gone (to) and been (fo,l in present perfect sentences.
'Where's John?' 'He's gone to Poris.' (He's there now.) Mary3 gone swimming. She'll be back at 6.00.
l've been to ltaly lots of times (and come back), but I've never been to Spain.

Put in been or gone.

1 'Where's Zoe?' 'She's shoppingl 4 They're not here.They've all ............... out.
2 Gary's shopping. The fridge is full. 5 I haven't to the cinema for weeks.
3 Haveyouever totheUnitedStates? 6 Katie's to live in Greece.

We don't normally use the present perfect with finished-time expressions.

l've seen Ann. OR I sow Ann yesterdoy. BUT NOT l+eseenAffiAes&€y
We use the simple past, not the present perfect, in stories (see page 47).
A man wolked into a police station and said ... (Not Ananha++talked ...)

:lrJ-:-'r::tir!:l.ia'r:..ii'tir i,lfifili:aji:! ir..t,rr. li,:t :ji.ltlltir:l ilrftti i -i ii:Fi:;i::r 6'l

:tr, i::r;,;l,,,li:i:i;:rai;t: r:iJil{-ja'rtrt i,ri;!':. i,:1:. irll.lt:r.rlil
 time words: present perfect or simple past?
h,* We don't normally use the present perfect with finished-time expressions.
We've found oil in the garden. BUT NOT
Aplane has croshed at Heathrow Airport.eut Not

GrcQthe words for a finished time.

a few days ago always this week last week never now
then today yesterday when in 1990
,lj.it: Correct (./) or not (,x)?
) My father has changed his job. ..{. 8 Mary has written to me three weeks ago. ......
> Andy has gone to Scotland last week. ..{.. 9 Sorry - l've forgotten your name. ......
1 Look what Peter has given me yesterday! ..... . 10 l'veforgotten Mike's birthday lastTuesday. ......
2 l've seen a great programme last night. ...... 1 1
Everybody has gone home at I 0 o'clock. . .....
3 I think everybody has arrived now ...... 12 Theret nobody here! What has happened? ......
4 When have you talked to Ann? ...... 13 Sally has left school in 2006. ......
5 We've bought a new car in April. ...... 14 When have you arrived in London? ......
6 l've met my wife when we were students. ...... 15 I think Mary has missed the train. ......
7 Look what Peter has given me! ...... 16 What have you done then? ......

the present perfect to ask ifthings have happened up to now, or to say that they haven't
We can use
happened up to now. This often happens with words for an unfinished time (for example today, ever, never).
Hasthe boss phoned today? Haveyou ever brokenyour leg?
We haven't been to Scotland this year. Mary hasn't written to me this week.

Hove you ever seen a ghost? l've never seen one.

NOW PAST

'tlri:'
Make present perfect sentences.
) Steven /pay /for his tessons u ..1.t?.9.fiY9*.P.q!.4.f.qy.try:.le:fpPS3...............
'l you / ever / write / a poem ?
2 I / never /climb/a mountain
3 Charles /speak/to you /today ?
4 Clara / not / tell / me / her new address
5 you / ever / lose / your memory ?

6 We / not / play / football / this year

7 Alex / never /write to me
8 you / see Henry / this week ? .............
9 my father / never / drive a car
1 0 the cat / have / anything to eat / today ?

1 1 you / finish / those letters ?

12 I / not / pay / for the lessons / this month
13 Sally / have a baby
14 Lucy / not phone / today
15 Corinne / come back / from lndia ?
16 ll / stop / raining
17 the postman / come / this morning ?
1B We / eat / everything in the house

62 ili:nF[{] IIht5r,5
 We can use the present perfect to say how often things have happened up to now.
Thot's a wonderful film.l've seen it three times. Sally has only been to lreland once.
We've often wanted to come and see you.

$ mate present perfect sentences.

> t / break / my arm / three times ..1'.yS,.\y.q9p.ry.Y.A.?fk.ytrf??.ly*t:,
1 Joe /change / his job / twice this year

2 how often / she / ask / you for money ?

3 I / often /try / Io stop smoking

4 Tom / phone / me / six times this week

5 My father / meet / the Prime Minister / twice

6 The police / question / Annie / more than once

7 I / only / play / rugby /once in my life

8 My brother / often / help / me / in my work

9 Nobody/ever/ understand / her

10 I / never / want / to go to the moon

/a:\
i Present perfect or simple past?(Circlelhe correct answers.
1 Did you ever go / Have you ever been to Wales? 6 I haven't bought any clothes this year / last year.
2 I never read / have never read any of his books. 7 Julia stayed / has stoyed with us last week.
3 Our team uronl has won two matches this year. 8 I worked very hard today / yesterday.

4 Our team won / has won two matches last year. 9 I never saw / have never seen a ghost.
5 Shakespea re never went / has never been to Athens. 1 0 When did John phone. / has John phoned?
':;$ Write five things that you didn't do yesterday, and five things that you have never done.
1 I didn't ........ yesterday.
2 ..............
3 ..............
4 ..............
5 ..............
6 I have never .........
7 ..............
8..............
9..............
10............
-$ For the present perfect with fust, yet and olreody, see page 64.

Irr scms ail5we rs. irrltir dontr.]cted fcrms ifcr exdmpid ih, Con't) and full ptRF[t"T -f
[h]S[S 63
forml (fr:r e xample / arrr, do nct) are possible. lrloi"m*lly hotit are corr*ct.
 already, yet and just
fttffi
We often use the present perfect with olreody (='earlier than somebody expected').
Note the word order: olready comes after hove.
'Newspaper?' 'No, thanks. l've alreody read it.' You're late. We've already started.

$iF Complete the sentences with atreadyand verbs from the box (present perfect).

cook finish get up go / leave pay

) 'where's pete?''He's ..?.lYPgdA.g?.P9..... home: 3 'Can you wake Helen?' 'She
1 'Shall I pay?''No, I ................ 4 'Let's have fishi 'l ......... .. chickenl
2 'What time's the train?' 'lt 5 'When's the film?' 'lt ..............

We also often use the present perfect with yef (='up to now') in questions and negatives.
Note the word order: yef usually comes at the end of a sentence.
'Hove you spoken to John yet?' 'No. He hasn't come in yet.'

triifu tvtaL" questions (*) and negatives (ffi) with yet.

1 my sister / phone #
2 the postman / come ffi
3 Bill / find a job ffi
4 you / finish that book ffi
5 l/ start work $$
6 you / have supper ffi

And we often use the present perfect with just (='a short time ago'). Jusf comes after have.
l've just come back from Spain. The rqin hos just stopped.

,,i# Oo these things, and then write sentences to say what you have just done.
) (touch your eor) ..l.Y.qy9J*91.\?.*?\94.w{.9,qr,.
1 (look at the floor)
2 (think about your home)
3 (moveyourfeet)
4 (put your hand on your head)
f*iF lt it eight otlock in the morning. Look at the table and say what Angela has (not) done.
Use present perfect verbs with already,yet and just.
> . .s.h.e .11.?: j.*+!. trsd .q..qfr..qf. s;*fet... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . have a cup of coffee 7.55
> .F.\ r lry',.1. 2 .4.y ?9.+ 94. .Uq!,.
. 9, .4 ?.1 .....
get dressed ffi
> .€.4 r e .q!:re s4a. 4 s.ryz.?. .lqy. pf.y.qy.P.-.
. 9. .4 ...........
do a lot of work ffi
1 She letters. write letters three
2 She mother. telephone mother 7.57
3 She kitchen. clean kitchen flH
4 She ....... newspaper............... read newspaper ffi
5 She ..... some toast. make toast 7.59
6 She ....... radio listen to the radio ffi

64 PIRFECT TF}{585
since and for sirure TruEsCny; fur fen yenrs

TUESDAY

We use the present perfect, not the present, to say how long something has continued up to now.
l've been here sinceTuesday. (NoT Maf)
I've known John for ten yeors. (NoT |MenJeare)
We can say how long with since or for.
We use since when we give the beginning of the time (for example since Tuesday).
We use for when we give the length of the time (for example for three doys).
I've been here since Tuesday. I've been here for three doys. (ruor .. . sinee+nrce*yr)
l've known Mary since 2005. l've known Mary for o very long time.
l've hod this car since April. I've had this car for six months.

ff-, nut in srnce or for.

1 ............... six weeks 5 ............... yesterday 9 ............... July
2 ............... Sunday 6 ............... breakfast time 10 ............... last week
3 ............... 1996 7 ............... a long time 11 ............... aday
4 ............... ten years 8 ............... five minutes 1 2 ............... this morning

€t-:, How long have you known people? Write sentences.

> ..l.YL.F.*pv*.va..?.mli:4.!lq:\.er.ev*.qp.*wlev.b.?r..............
I l've known .. for ..........

5 ..............
How long have you had things? Write sentences.
> ..1.Y9, .4.q 4. !h*p. :h.qp.q .f p.r .:.1*. rp.ryIhs., . . .. . . . . . . . .
1 l've had my ............ since ..........
2 ..............
3 ..............
4..............
5 ..............
=.3 Make present perfect questions with How long . .. ?
> you /be / inthis country ..frp.W.lp.ryp.\q.yT..Aq*.\\p.ry.J:*.!Iy:.q\.**ylb?......
) Racher / have /herjob ..tr9Y.!9*g.W.r.H.9By.\g.4.\lfig!?.
1 you /know / Mike
2 you/be/astudent
3 your brother/be/a doctor
4 Andrew/have/thatdog
5 David and Elizabeth / be / together ..............

know and have are non-progressive verbs (see pages 30-31). With most other verbs, we use the present
Be,
perfect progressive (see next page) to say how long things have continued up to now.
How long hove you been waiting?

ln some afis\ rers, botlr rontracteci forms {for example I m. don'r) and full PERFFCT T[N585 65
forrns ifor e xanrple I *,m, do ro{} arc possihle. Normaliy both are ccrrect.
present perfect and simple past: revise the basics
meanings Both these tenses are used to talk about finished actions, situations and events.
There is a difference.
The present perfect suggests that a finished action has some connection with the present.
The simple past does not suggest a connection with the present.
I've made a cake. Would you like a slice?
I didn't have much to do this morning, so I made a cake'

";i$" Read the sentences and choose the best answers to the questions.
L 'I've broken my glasses.' Are the speaker's glasses broken? @ Yes. B Dont know. C No.
> Anna went to Londonl Is Anna in London? A Yes. @J Don't know
1 'Sam has been elected chairmanl Is Sam chairman? A Yes. B Dont know. C No.
2 'Mum has gone to church.' Is she in church? A Yes' B Dont know. C No.
3 'Dad went to the pubi Is he in the pub? A Yes. B Don't know.
4 'The cat's caught a mousel Has the cat got the mouse? A Yes. B Dont know. C No.
5 'Maggie caught a coldl Has Maggie got a cold? A Yes. B Don't know
6 'Marlowe has written a novell Is this a new novel? A Yes. B Dont know. C No.
7 'Hoimes wrote a novell Is this a new novel? A Yes. B Probably not.
8 'l've finished cutting the grass.' Is the grass short? A Yes. B Don't know. c No.
g 'shet travelled all over Africa.' Is she still alive? A Yes. B Don't know. c No.

time words We don't often use the present perfect with words for a finished time.
I went out four evenings last week. (Nor ffi)
Jamie phoned yesterday. (Not @)
We often use the present perfect with words for time up to now.
I've been out three evenings this week. I've never seen a fox.
Have you read this before? (= 'at any time up to now')

correct verb form.

Several government ministers were I have been
involved in a big bribery scandal last year.
The people in the flat upstairs disturbed I
have disturbed us every night this week. #ff
The aid agencies distributed I have distributed
2,000 tonnes of food to the refugees since May.
All ofour students ochieved I have achieved
excellent exam results last summer.
5 I think I saw I have seenlhis film before.
6 Most of yesterday's newspapers commented I
have commented crrtically on Thursday's budget.
The 1944 Education Act attempted I has attempted
to ensure equal educational opportunities for everyone.
We're all very pleased that the Managing Director
Wu+
decided I has decided to retire next autumn.
'I've spent 25 years making a name
for myself and now you want me
to CHANGE it?l'

42 PAST AND PERFECT TENSES

 news and details We often announce a piece of news with the present perfect, and then use
the simple past for the details of time and place.
I've found your glasses. They were in the car.
The President has arrived in London. He was met by the Prime Minister ...

*
Read the reports and put in verbs from the box in the correct tenses.

be clash dig fire have identify reach take

I PoliceinFrance ...........with Police ........ ... eight suspects

in last month's Birmingham car bomb attack.
::: :::::: ::::::: :::J#X?i tif ;il "1L:"x,
Six of the suspects
"it
non-British passports as

2 An oil spill the Welsh coast. The fossilised remains of a giant shark
The spill place early on found in Nebraska, US.
Tuesday morn Scientists ........... up a
gigantic jawbone, teeth and scales

Find a news report with similar tense use to the examples in Exercise 3 (for example
on an internet news page). Write the first two or three sentences here.

\ f".;;ll
F.ll"etr.
\
I
Iol
L.J | ll

ln
i

r | \ <-, -\'
-.1

-
'Mrs Dunne is here for your lesson, 'I've wired his electric wheelchair to
Ralph. Where have you hidden this control. . . . Wanta go?'
the piano?'

'I've never won an argument with her, and 'Do I like vegetables? I don't know I have
the only times I thought I had, I found out never eaten them. No, that is not quite true,
the argument wasn't over yet.' I once ate a pea.'
(US President limmy Carter, talking about his (Beau Brummel, 17 78-1840)
wife Rosalynl

PAST AND PERFECT TENSES 43

simple past and present perfect: summary
sIMpLE ptsr I worked/wrote/drove etc
finished actions
r finished actions, no connection with present
My grandfather worked for anewspaper. I hated school.
r with words for a finished time, like ye sterday, in 2002, ago, then, when
IsawAnnyesterday.(xol@)BilIphoneclthreedaysago.
When did you stop smoking? (Not @)
e stories
A man walked into a cafd and sat down at a table. The waiter asked . ..

r details (time, place etc) of news

The cat has eaten your supper. She toak it ofthe table.
Bill has had an accident. He fell of his bicycle when he was going to work.

(srurra) IRESENT eERFECT: I have worked/written/driven etc

A {inished actions
o thinking about past and present together
I've written to lohn, so he knows what's happening now. Jane has found my glasses, so I can see again.

a news
A plane has crashed at Heathrow airport. The Prime Minister has left for Paris.
r up to now: how much/many; how often
I've drunk six cups of cofee today. My father has often tried to stop smoking.

r up to now: things that haven't happened; questions; ever and never

lohn hasn't phoneel. Has Peter said anything to you? Have you ever seen a ghost?
I've neyer seen one.
e already,yetand,just
'Where's Peter?' 'He's already gone home.' Has the postman come yet? 'Cofee?' 'I've just had some.'

. Nor with words for a finished time

I saw Penny yesterday. Shes getting married. (Not @)
B unfinished actions continuing up to now
(especially with be, have, know and other non-progressive verbs)
r to say how long (often with since and.for)
How longhave you been in this country? We've had our car for seven years.
I've known lake since 2005. (Nor ++rcwMe*)
IRESENT pERFEcr pRocREssrvn: I have been working/writing/driving etc
unfinished actions continuing up to now (most verbs)
o to say how long (often with since andfor)
Have you been waiting long? I've been learning English since last summer.
We've been driving for three hours - it's time for a rest,
DoN'T use a present tense to say how long.
I've been living here since lanuary. (Not @)
r to say how we have been filling our tirne up to now
Sorry I haven't written. I've been travelling. 'You look tired.' 'Yes, I've been working in the garden.'
. Nor usuALLy to talk about long, unchanging states
The castle has stood on this hill for 900 years.

PAST AND PERFECT TENSES 45