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Look at these sentences. Some of them have

mistakes. Can you correct them?
Be careful: some of the sentences are perfect!

William has seen Star Wars several times.

Im really hungry, because I dont have lunch yet.
Julie has already gone to work.
Johnny and Sandra have got married nearly 2 years ago.
I have stayed in Miami in 2009.
Have you tried sushi?
James have never stayed in an expensive hotel.
Tim has lived in London since twenty years.
Bobby and Mary have ever used an Apple Mac.
Andy has met his best friend when they were at college.
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Handouts Online

Present Perfect versus Past Simple

General
Elementary and Pre-Intermediate
20 minutes
None

Before you Begin

This error-correction worksheet is designed for students who are new to the Present Perfect. It aims to reinforce
the following points:
1)

Present Perfect cannot be used with a specific point in time. (We know that there are exceptions to this,
but the worksheet is for elementary students.)

2)

Ever is (usually) only used in questions. (Again, exceptions are possible, but this is probably not the
time to tell your students!)

3)

Have changes to has for third person singular.

4)

The difference between for and since.

5)

Present Perfect is used for not yet. In American English, the Past Simple is often used. How to deal
with this is left to the teachers judgment. Again, the key thing is not confusing students.

Suggested Teaching Method

Put students in pairs. Give one handout to each pair. Explain that the mistakes are grammar, and not spelling!
Students should discuss the sentences in pairs, correcting the mistakes where necessary.
After twenty minutes or so, go through the sentences with the group as a whole.
Answers (Other answers are possible)
William has seen Star Wars several times. OKAY
Im really hungry, because I havent had lunch yet.
Julie has already gone to work. OKAY
Johnny and Sandra got married nearly 2 years ago.
I stayed in Miami in 2009.
Have you tried sushi? OKAY
James has never stayed in an expensive hotel.
Tim has lived in London for twenty years.
Bobby and Mary have used an Apple Mac.
Andy met his best friend when they were at college.

Additional Ideas
Handouts Online has lots more activities and worksheets for the Present Perfect. Check out our search
engine for the full list.
1/30/2011

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