UNIT 8:

OVER DURING IN THE LAST MONTH , WEEK , YEAR PAST

We often use the expressions over the last, in the last, and during the last with the present perfect to talk about a state (, estado de nimo, , ) , an action, or event (, acontecimientos, , )in a time period that has begun and not yet finished. Sometimes we say the past instead of the last. 1. 2. 3. 4.
Over the last (or the past) six months, he has lost all of his baby teeth and (he has) started to walk. Over the last (or the past) year, my son has graduated from high school and (he has) gone to college. In the last week, she has cut herself three times while cooking. She needs to be more careful. In the past two months, I have filled out 30 job applications!

Important! Remember that the time period connects to the present, not always the action or events. For , continuamente, , , example, in #1 above, the boy did not continually ( ) lose his teeth. He lost one tooth, then another, and then another. Each of these actions happened and ended, but the time period (over the last six months) continues to the present. In #4, you filled out one application. You finished filling it out. You filled out another. The action or event ended, but the time period (in the last two months) connects to the present.

6 January February March

Mar. 3 Mar. 30

5 April

4 May
May 15

3 June

2 July
July 20

1 August
August 4

now September

It's September now. In the last six months (in the time between March and now), the baby has lost all of his teeth. He lost a tooth on March 3 and March 30. He lost some more on May 15. He lost even more on July 20, and he lost the rest on August 4. The time period connects to now. Note: Over the last and in the last use the perfect when the time period extends to the present. Last week, last year, last month, etc., use past tense. (You cannot say Past year/Past week, I quit my job.) 5. Over the last month, I have missed work twice. (Its May now. I missed work on May 5 and again on May 12. Its still May. The month is not finished. Use PRESENT PERFECT.) 6. Last month, I missed work twice. (Note: You cannot say past here. Wrong: Past month, I missed...) (Its July now. I was absent from work on June 15 and June 16. June is over. Use PAST TENSE.) 7. In the last year (or over the past year), he has grown six inches, and his voice has gotten lower! (For example, its March 31 now. Between March of last year and now, he has grown six inches. Use PRESENT PERFECT.) 8. Last year in 9th grade, she got straight As on her report card. (Shes in 10th grade this year. Last year is a definite time in the past, and its over. Use PAST TENSE.) 9. In the last month of his life, he wrote a new will. (, testamento, , ) (Hes not alive anymore. The period does not continue into the present. Use PAST TENSE.)

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 Roland Trego revised 5/11/2014 7:47 PM

Name: _________, _________

Exercise 1A. THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

Over the last two years (in the time between two years ago and now), what has changed in your life? Or, what have you accomplished? (, Cules son tus logros, tus xitos? , , ) Write two events ( , acontecimientos, , )in the present perfect. These should be things that happened and ended. Do not use the verbs be, feel, live, study, work, know, or learn.

Examples
Over the last two years, a lot has happened... #1 #2 a. Over the last two years, Ive quit smoking and my hair has started turning gray. b. In the last two years, my mother has gotten a visa to come here and Ive found a job. c. Over the last two years, my son has graduated from college and he has gotten married.

Over the last two years, #1___________________________________________ and #2___________________________________________

Name: _________, _________

Exercise 1A. THINGS HAVE CHANGED A LOT OVER THE LAST TWO YEARS.

Over the last two years (in the time between two years ago and now), what has changed in your life? Or, what have you accomplished? (, Cules son tus logros, tus xitos? , , ) Write two events ( , acontecimientos, , )in the present perfect. These should be things that happened and ended. Do not use the verbs be, feel, live, study, work, know, or learn.

Examples
Over the last two years, a lot has happened... #1 #2 a. Over the last two years, Ive quit smoking and my hair has started turning gray. b. In the last two years, my mother has gotten a visa to come here and Ive found a job. c. Over the last two years, my son has graduated from college and he has gotten married.

Over the last two years, #1___________________________________________ and #2___________________________________________

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 Roland Trego revised 5/11/2014 7:47 PM