Facullty of Security and Protection

Banja Luka

SEMINAR TOPIC
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

Mentor:
Tatjana Ponorac

Student:
Lotinja Zoran 454/08
Banja Luka,December 2008

CONTENTS
Introduction....................................................................................................................................2
Main part:
Signal Words of Present Perfect, Certain verbs, Time Adverbs, Just..3
Duration..........................................................................................................................................4
Exercise on Present Perfect Simple :Exceptions in Spelling when adding ed,have or has..5
Exercise on since and for .....................................................................................................6
Positive Sentences in Present Perfect Simple..............................................................................7
Negative Sentences in Present Perfect Simple............................................................................8
Sentences with 'never' in Present Perfect Simple.......................................................................9
Questions in Present Perfect Simple..........................................................................................10
Questions with Interrogative Particles in Present Perfect Simple..........................................11
Conclusion....................................................................................................................................12
Bibliography.................................................................................................................................13

Introduction
The present perfect simple tense is made have/has + the past participle
Present Perfect Simple connects past and present. We use the Present Perfect Simple mainly to
express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result.
Both the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous relate a past action to the
present, but the present perfect simple suggests a completed action and focuses more on
achievements and results. Consider the following:

'Ive completed my English and geography homework, but I havent started my maths
assignment yet.'

'Shes travelled to many countries, but shes never been outside Europe.'

'Have you ever tried Japanese food?' 'No, never. Whats it like?'

Note that the present perfect is often used in conjunction with adverbs such as: 'ever', 'never',
'already', 'just', ''still', 'yet':

'Do you want me to clean the kitchen this afternoon?' 'No thanks, Ive already done it.'

'Ive just fed the baby but she seems to be hungry again
Use of Present Perfect Simple:
Recent Past: He has just arrived.
Result (what / how much / how often)
I have written 5 letters. / I have been to London twice
Experience: Ive been to Spain three times.
Persisted situation: Ive lived in Belgrade all my life.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

already, ever, just, never, since, for, still, always, today,last week, last year, yesterday, five
minutes ago...

Certain verbs
The following verbs are usually only used in Present Perfect Simple:

state: be, have (for possession only)

Example: We have been on holiday for two weeks.

senses: feel, hear, see, smell, taste, touch

Example: He has touched the painting.

brain work: believe, know, think, understand

Example: I have known him for 3 years.
Time Adverbs
Unfinished Time
Finished Time
today
yesterday
this week
last week
this year
last year
this morning*
this morning*
this afternoon*
this afternoon*
this evening
during the last two years
during the summer
since I left school
Before I saw you
at six o'clock
when I met him.
five minutes ago
ever**
just***
* Can be finished or unfinished, depending on the time of day
** ever is only used in questions
*** just is used to describe a very recently completed action
Just 'Just' is commonly used with the present perfect simple to show that an action happened
very recently. When 'just' is used the result referred to is often indirect, and this form can be used
if you want to make it clear that the action is complete while at the same time explaining an
indirect result of the action: I've just washed the car, which is why I'm wet.
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Duration
We use the present perfect simple to describe the duration ('How long...') of a state which is true
now. For example, compare:
I've lived here for eight years. (I live here now.)
I lived in London for two years. (We don't know where I live now.)

Like all the other examples of the present perfect, we are being told something about the present
in the first sentence. The second sentence tells us only about the past, although we would
probably assume that the speaker doesn't live in London now.
The present perfect continuous is used to describe the duration of an activity or action which is
happening now. For example:
They've been watching TV since three o'clock. (They are watching TV now)
They were watching TV for three hours.

(We don't know what they are doing now.)

Both forms, simple and continuous, are common in questions with How long...?
How long have you had your present job?
How long have you been waiting?

The present perfect simple and continuous should also be compared with the present simple and
continuous:
I've lived in Sabadell for eight years.
I live in Sabadell.
They've been watching TV since three o'clock.
They're watching TV.

In both cases, the perfect form tells us the duration of the state/activity, the non-perfect form only
tells us that it is true/happening now. It is incorrect to use the present simple/continuous to
describe duration, as in the following:
INCORRECT: *I live in Sabadell for eight years.*

Exercise on Present Perfect Simple

Exceptions in Spelling when adding ed
Write the participle form (3rd form) of the regular verbs. Note the exceptions in spelling when
adding ed.
1. use used If a verb ends in 'e', only add 'd'.
2. try tried If a verb ends in a consonant (r) + 'y', 'y' becomes 'i'.
3. carry carried If a verb ends in a consonant (r) + 'y', 'y' becomes 'i'.
4. dance danced If a verb ends in 'e', only add 'd'.
5. cycle cycled If a verb ends in 'e', only add 'd'.
6. travel travelled If a verb ends in a vowel (e) + 'l', the 'l' is doubled in British English
(travelled), but not in American English (traveled).
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?02
have or has
Fill the gaps with 'have' or 'has'.
1. I haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
2. She hasWith he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.

answered the question.

opened the window.

3. They haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.

4. You haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
5. It hasWith he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.

carried a box.

rained a lot.

6. We haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.

7. He hasWith he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.

called us.

washed the car.

closed the window.

8. Jenny hasWith he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.

locked the door.

9. The girls haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.

visited the museum.

10. John and Sophie haveWith I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
NOte: John and Sophie are both singular nouns, but together they are 2 people (=plural),
that's why we use have

helped in the garden.

URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?03

-since

-if

the

starting

point

is

given

(two

o'clock,

last

Friday,

1998)

- for - if the period of time is given (twenty minutes, two days, one year)
1. I have been waiting sinceUse since if the starting point is given.

4 o'clock.

2. Sue has only been waiting forUse for if the period of time is given.

20 minutes.

3. Tim and Tina have been learning English forUse for if the period of time is given.

six

years.
4. Fred and Frida have been learning French sinceUse since if the starting point is given.
1998.
5. Joe and Josephine have been going out together sinceUse since if the starting point is
given.

Valentine's Day.

6. I haven't been on holiday sinceUse since if the starting point is given.

last July.

7. Mary has been saving her money forUse for if the period of time is given.
8. I haven't eaten anything sinceUse since if the starting point is given.

many years.

breakfast.

9. You have been watching TV forUse for if the period of time is given.

hours.

10. We have been living here forWUse for if the period of time is given.

2 months.

URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/vocabulary/since-for

Positive Sentences in Present Perfect Simple

Write positive sentences in present perfect simple
The following people have just completed an action.
1. Bob has visited his grandma.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
2. Jimmy has played on the computer.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
3. Sue and Walter have washed their car.plural, that's why we use have
regular verb - just add 'ed'
4. Andrew has repaired his bike.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
5. Phil has helped Anne with maths.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
6. Brad and Louise have watched a film.plural, that's why we use have
regular verb - just add 'ed'
7. Tamara has talked to her best friend.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
8. Bridgette has drawn a picture.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (draw-drew-drawn)
9. Carol has read a computer magazine.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (read-read-read)
10. Tom and Alice have been to a restaurant.plural, that's why we use have
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (be-was/were-been)
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?04

Negative Sentences in Present Perfect Simple

Write negative sentences in present perfect simple.
The weather was wonderful today. So the children were in the park all afternoon and have not
done their household chores:
1. Sarah has not washed the dishes.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
2. Anita has not cleaned the kitchen.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
3. Maureen and Gavin have not watered the plants.more than one person, that's why we use
have
regular verb - just add 'ed'
4. Joey has not made his bed.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (make-made-made)
5. David has not bought milk.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (buy-bought-bought)
6. Lisa has not been to the baker's.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (be-was/were-been)
7. Aran and Jack have not done their homework.more than one person, that's why we use
have
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (make-made-made)
8. Jane and Ben have not tidied up their rooms.more than one person, that's why we use
have
regular verb ending in consonant (d) + 'y', so 'y' becomes 'i', then add 'ed'
9. Alex has not fed the hamster.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (feed-fed-fed)
10. Hazel has not emptied the bin.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb ending in consonant (t) + 'y', so 'y' becomes 'i', then add 'ed'
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?05

Sentences with 'never' in Present Perfect Simple

Write sentences in present perfect simple. Place 'never' before the main verb.
In a contest, people get the chance to do something they've never done before. This is what the
participants told the jury:
1. Fergal has never sailed on the Pacific.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
2. Rebecca has never stayed at a five-star hotel.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
3. Jason has never watched a world-cup final.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
regular verb - just add 'ed'
4. Rachel and Gareth have never climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.more than one person, that's
why we use have regular verb - just add 'ed'
5. Elaine has never seen a whale.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (see-saw-seen)
6. Ruth has never spent her holiday in Mexico.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (spend-spent-spent)
7. Connor has never been to Canada.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (be-was/were-been)
8. Lisa and Holly have never cycled around England.more than one person, that's why we
use have
regular verb ending in 'e', so we only add 'd'
9. Barry has never driven a Ferrari.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (drive-drove-driven)
10. Clare has never met Mickey Mouse.3rd person singular, that's why we use has
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (meet-met-met)
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?06

Questions in Present Perfect Simple

Write questions in present perfect simple.
1. Have you answered the question?With I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
regular verb - just add 'ed'
2. Has Jenny locked the door?With he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.
regular verb - just add 'ed'
3. Has Walter called us?With he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.
regular verb - just add 'ed'
4. Have you seen the picture?With I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (see-saw-seen)
5. Have your parents got the letter?We use have with plural nouns (parents).
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (get-got-got)
6. Has it rained a lot?With he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.
regular verb - just add 'ed'
7. How often have we sung the song?With I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (sing-sang-sung)
8. Has Maureen watched the film?With he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.
regular verb - just add 'ed'
9. How many books has Bob read?With he, she, it or a singular noun, we use has.
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (read-read-read)
10. Have you ever been to London?With I, you, we, they or plural nouns, we use have.
irregular verb - 3rd form (column) of irregular verbs (be-was/were-been)
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?07

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Questions with Interrogative Particles in Present Perfect Simple

Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.
1. I have been in the garden. - Where have you been?interrogative particle - have/has subject - main verb
2. My sister has cooked dinner. Who has cooked dinner?If we ask for the subject, we only
replace the subject with 'who' (for people) or 'what' (for things).
3. Sue has read the book twice. - How often has Sue read the book?interrogative particle have/has - subject - main verb
4. My computer has crashed. - What has crashed?If we ask for the subject, we only replace
the subject with 'who' (for people) or 'what' (for things).
5. Jeane has been on holiday for eight days. How long has Jeane been on holiday?
interrogative particle - have/has - subject - main verb
6. Fred has done his homework. What has Fred done?interrogative particle - have/has subject - main verb
7. Gavin has stopped at the corner. Where has Gavin stopped?interrogative particle have/has - subject - main verb
8. Sarah has bought five books. - How many books has Sarah bought?interrogative particle
- have/has - subject - main verb
9. Jason has talked to his teacher. Who has Jason talked to?interrogative particle - have/has
- subject - main verb
10. Catherine has cleaned the house because she is having a party tonight. Why has
Catherine cleaned the house?interrogative particle - have/has - subject - main verb
URL: http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple/exercises?08

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Conclusion

The Present Perfect Simple

The present perfect simple is used to talk about a past time, which has very strong meaning for
the present.

Present Perfect Simple Timeline

For example:
Q) Where's Jane?
A) She has gone out. She should be back in an hour.
We form the present perfect simple by using the auxilliary verb have/has and the -ed form of the
regular verb (the past participle) irregular verb forms have to be learned:
Statements
+

Statements
-

Questions

Short answer
+

I've worked.

I haven't worked.

Have I worked?

Yes, I have.

No, I haven't.

He's worked.

He hasn't worked.

Has he worked?

Yes, he has.

No, he hasn't.

She's worked.

She hasn't worked.

Has she worked?

Yes, she has.

No, she hasn't.

It's worked.

It hasn't worked.

Has it worked?

Yes, it has.

No, it hasn't.

You've worked.

You haven't worked.

Have you worked? Yes you have. No, you haven't.

We've worked.

We haven't worked.

Have we worked?

Yes we have.

Short answer
-

No, we haven't.

They've worked. They haven't worked. Have they worked? Yes they have. No, they haven't.

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Bibliography
www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/grammar/present-perfect-simple
www.englishpage.com

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