Verbs 18 Look at Nick out in the garden. He ...... really nice with the younger children, 19 So Peter's still not here. 1 he's forgotten about the meeting. We should start without him. 20 ‘I hope you've got a good lawyer? “Yes, Alison Medley me at the trial. She’s the best lawyer in town. 8 The perfect aspect The use of the perfect aspect indicates that the event took place before the time being referred to or that it covered a period of time up to the time being referred to. It also shows that this event has some relevance to the time being referred to: John’s left. (present perfect) John left before the present time. He is not here now. John had left when we got there. (past perfect) John left before we got there. He was not there when we got there, John will have left when we get there. (future perfect) John will leave before we get there. He will not be there when we get there The infinitive can also have a perfect aspect: He is sure to be there. (infinitive with to) He is sure to have been there. (perfect infinitive with to) It is certain that he has been/was there.) Modals can be followed by the infinitive or the perfect infinitive Pam may tell him the news. (infinitive) Pam may have told him the news. (perfect infinitive) (= It is possible that Pam has told him the news.) Practice 8 Put the verbs in brackets into the present perfect simple, the past perfect simple or the future perfect simple. 1 The local car factory /42.9uffered (suffer) a big drop in sales this year. 21 . (Work) here for too long. It’s time to find a new job. 3. By the time I see my mother tonight, she . (hear) the news. 4 Iwas nineteen and studying at university. I... .. (be) there for almost a year. 31Verbs 32 8 She woke up and thought about the night before. It 5 It was New Year's Eve but none of the family really wanted to celebrate. They .. coe ssn (have) a terrible year. 6 They... five years next month (be married) for twenty- 7 The doctor came as quickly as she could but the old man .. (already die). . (certainly be) a night to remember. 9° Oh no! You look terrible. What (happen)? 10 When the ship comes back to port next week, the crew (be) at sea for six months. 11 Go and help that child. She .. off) her bike, 12 No one in the village had any money because they . (all lost) their jobs. 13 By the time the summer comes. I (finish) all my exams. 14 There was no one at the meeting. Everyone ......... (decide) to boycott it. 15 I hear you're looking for a new job. (you/find) one?