Present perfect

Present perfect (1) (I have done)

Study this example situation:

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.

Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:

                                                                                                                                                                   

I / we / they / you have (= I've etc.)                                       finished

                                                                                               lost

He / she / it has (= he's etc.)                                                  done

                                                                                               been          etc. 

                                                                                                                                                                      

*The present perfect simple is have / has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed ( finished / decided etc). , but many important verb are irregular (lost/done/been/written etc).  

1. When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now.

• 'Where's your key?' 'I don't know. I've lost it.'(I haven't got it now)
• He told me his name but I've forgotten it.
• Is Sally here? No she's gone out.
• I can't find my bag. Have you seen it?

   2. 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's been an accident.
• The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.   

  3. You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet:
       Just = 'a sort time ago'.

• Hello. Have you just arrived?

 4. 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.

5. Yet = 'until now'and show that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in question and negative sentences.

• Has it stopped raining yet?
• I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.  

Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):
Gone to: Jim is away on holiday. He has gone to Spain ( = he is there now or his way there )
               Jane is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy.( = She has now come back from Italy)
Been (to): We usually say 'I've been to a place'

• I've been to Italy four times but I've never been to Rome.
• Ann has never been to a foot ball match in her life.
• Jack has got some money. He has just been to the bank.

Exercises:

1. You are writing a latter to a friend. In the latter you give news about yourself and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the present perfect.                                                  Dear Chris,                                                                                                                                      Lots of things have happened since I last wrote to you.

• I / buy / a new car = .......................................................................................................................
• my father / start / a new job = ........................................................................................................
• I / give up / smoking = ...................................................................................................................
• Suzanne / have / a baby = ...............................................................................................................

   2.    Read the situations and write sentences.                                                                                                   Choose one of the following: 
            arrive        break       go up     grow      improve      lose

• Mike is looking for his key. He can't find it. ( He has lost his key).
• Margaret can't walk and her leg is in plaster. (..........................................................................)
• Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is much better. (........................................................... ............................)
• Tim didn't have a beard last month. Now he has a beard. (........................................................... ...........................)
• This morning I was expecting a latter. Now I have it. (................................................................ ...........................)
• Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. (...................................................................)

   3. Complete B's sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just / already / yet ( as shown ) 
A. 1. Would you like something to eat?   B. 1. No thanks. .......................................lunch.(Just/have)
     2. Do you know where Julia is?               2. Yes, I've....................................her. (Just/see)
     3. What time is David leaving?                3. He ............................................(already/leave)
     4. What's in the newspaper today?           4. I don't know.........................................(not/read/yet)
     5. Is Ann coming to the cinema with us? 5. No, she.........................................the film.(already/see)
     6. Are your friends here yet?                    6. Yes,.............................................................(Just/arrive)
     7. What does Tim think about your plan?7. I.................................................................(not/tell/yet) 
4.  Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet

1. After lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says 'would you like something to eat'?

         You say: No, thank you. I've just had lunch. (have lunch)
     2.  Joe goes out. Five minutes later, the phone ring and the caller says 'Can I speak to Toe'?
          You say: I'm afraid  .......................................................................................( go out )
     3.  You are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts to take your plate a way. You say: Wait a minute! ........................................................................... ( not/finish )
    4.   You are going to a restaurant this evening. You phone to reserve a table. Letter your friend says 'Shall I phone to reserve a table?'. You say : No,..................................................................................... ( do ).