3a Present perfect simple

Big Bob: What have you done all day? You havent Big Bob:
tidied up, or swept the floors!
Little Len: Well, I went to the supermarket this
morning. And look, Ive made dinner.
Big Bob: What did you make besides a mess?
Little Len: Ive made the most delicious soup ever
but dont ask whats in it!
Believe me ... I dont want to know! Hey ...
youve cleaned the fridge! What did you
do with all those rotten vegetables?
Little Len: Well the soup needed a bit more flavour,
so I put them in.
Big Bob: You did what?! Yuck!

Learn it!
Read and complete.

Present perfect simple (has/have + past participle): For something which happened in the past,
but we dont know exactly when, and for something which happened in the past but which is
connected to the present.
Affirmative Negative
I have/ve booked a clown. I have not/havent booked a clown.
He/She/It has/s eaten all the chocolate. He/She/It has not/hasnt eaten all the chocolate.
You/We/They /ve made the snacks. You/We/They have not/havent made the snacks.
Questions Short answers
Have I done a good job? Yes, you have. / No, you havent.
Has he/she/it driven you mad? Yes, he/she/it has. / No, he/she/it hasnt.
Have you/we/they helped Gran? Yes, I/you/we/they have. / No, I/you/we/they havent.

Wh- questions Present perfect simple and past simple

Why have you followed me? I've had a sound system for two years. (= You
What has happened? had it two years ago and still have it now.)
Where have they gone? I had a sound system for two years. (= You
don't have it now.)

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 3a

! present perfect
simple. have/has + past participle ( -ed
) .. has played, have written.
.. She has travelled to many
countries. .. Do you like
the colour in my room? I've painted it yellow!
present perfect simple
.. I've worked as a computer programmer for six years. ( =
6 )
past simple
.. I worked as a computer programmer for six years, but I dont do
this job anymore. (
)
! have been to/have gone to.
Have been to .. Darrel has been to
Mexico many times.
Have gone to .. 'Where's James?'
'He has gone to the cinema, he'll be back at ten o'clock.'

For a list of irregular verbs see page 154.

For information about the past simple see page 9.

Do it!
1 Work in pairs.
A Underline the verbs. Write PPS B Choose the correct answer to complete the rules.
(present perfect simple) or PS (past 1 Sentence 1 / 2 / 3 describes something that happened or
simple).
started in the past, but which is connected to the present.
1 Dont worry! I have made the
2 Sentence 1 / 2 / 3 describes a completed action in the
snacks for the party. PPS
past and we know exactly when it happened.
2 Dad has just arrived at the airport
3 Sentence 1 / 2 / 3 describes an action that happened or
and wants Mum to pick him up.
started in the past, but we dont know exactly when.
3 I bought a new sound system
4 We use a form of be / have + the past participle to form
yesterday.
the present perfect simple.

2 Complete with the present perfect simple.

1 I have arranged (arrange) a surprise 6 What (Rose/do) with the snacks?
birthday party for Kelly. 7 (he/drive) you mad today with his
2 (you/hear) about the questions?
present were giving her? 8 Its seven oclock and I (not set up) the
3 Tracey (not book) a sound system!
clown for her party. 9 Emma (go) to get the decorations,
4 Im sure the twins hasnt she?
(speak) to Harry about the invitations. 10 Why (she/invite) Steve to her party?
5 (Sue/lay) the table yet?

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 3a
3 Find the past participles. Complete the table.
G C L O P E N E D
Verb Past participle Verb Past participle
A G I V E N B R N
1 do done 5 eat
D W P H A F E E D
A N E O T D A A O 2 open 6 ask
N W I L E K Y S N
3 give 7 wear
C O U G N T T K E
4 dance 8 buy
E R W O R N B E C
D E T K S I N D O
O P B O U G H T D

4 Match.
1 Why havent you sent out the invitations?
2 Where have you been all day?
3 Have you arranged for the music?
4 Is John coming to the party?
5 What have you got to eat?
6 Has Mia brought the decorations?
d a No, I havent.
b I dont know. Lisa has gone to call him.
c No! Shes forgotten them at home!
d How do you know that I havent?
e Nowhere exciting. Ive been stuck in traffic!
f Weve made sandwiches and other snacks.

5 Write questions and answers. Use the present perfect simple.

1 Mum / book / a clown? 4 she / send / the invitations?

Has Mum booked a clown?
No, Mum hasnt booked a clown. No,

2 you / set up / the sound 5 you and Paula / put up / the

system? decorations?

Yes, Yes,

3 Keith and Natalie / lay / the

table? 6 Josh / make / the snacks?

No, Yes,

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 3a

6 Match.
1 Why didnt you call me today?
2 Where has Tom put the balloons?
3 What have you done to help with
the party?
4 Who made all this food?
5 Which sound system did you buy?
6 When did you get here, Sarah?
e a Me. Ive been in the kitchen all day!
b Well, Ive sent the invitations and booked the
clown!
c At eight oclock this morning. Ive been here all
day.
d I havent got one yet. Im waiting for the sales.
e Sorry, I havent had a chance. Ive been very
busy.
f He left them in his dads car.

7 Choose the correct answer.

1 I didnt eat / havent eaten today, but Im really
not hungry!
2 I dont want to speak to James. He drove / has
driven me mad yesterday!
3 Gail set up / has set up the sound system at
four oclock.
4 Did you give / Have you given Daisy a ring?
She has just called you again!
5 They brought / have brought the snacks an
hour ago.
6 We have watched / watched the match on TV
last night.

8 Complete. Use the present perfect simple or past simple.

1 A: I go to Paros every summer. Have you been B: Dont worry. Dad (go) to the
(you/go) there? supermarket to get some.
B: No, I , but I 4 A: I (go) to the new shopping
(go) to Santorini last year. mall yesterday. It was nothing like the TV
2 A: This iPhone is fantastic. How long advert!
(you/had) it? B: Really? (you/not like) it,
B: I (buy) it last year during the then?
summer sales.
3 A: Mum, I (think) we had
candles. Where are they?

All about you! Time to talk!

9 Complete the sentences so that they are 10 Work in pairs. Ask and answer.
true for you. Use the present perfect simple
Present perfect simple
or past simple.
eat breakfast? do homework? go to the
Two things you have done today.
beach? plan to have a party? Your ideas.
I have fed the dog
1 I Past simple
2 I take the bus to school? brush your teeth?
Two things you havent done today. play in the park at the weekend?
do your chores at home? Your ideas.
3 I
4 I Did you take the Have you eaten breakfast?
Two things you did today to get ready for school. bus to school?
Yes, I have.
5 I No, I didnt.
6 I
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 3b Present perfect simple: time expressions

Big Bob: Wow! Sabrina is an angry person, isnt
she?
Little Len: Yes, she certainly is an angry person
but be quiet, or shell get even more
angry!
Big Bob: Have you ever met an angrier person
than Sabrina?
Little Len: No, Ive never met a person angrier than
Sabrina, but Ive just met her little friend.
Big Bob: Who? Sabrina hasnt had any friends for
years!
Little Len: Ouch, Sweetie! Get off me!!

Learn it!
Read and complete.

Time expressions for the present perfect simple

Position
ever before the main verb
already before the main verb or at the
end of the sentence
just before the main verb
yet at the end of a sentence
never before the main verb
for before a time period
(a year, three days, two hours)
since before a point in time
(2010, 5 oclock, this morning)
How long? at the beginning of a question
Example
Have you ever met a famous person?
He has already been to three big matches.
He has been to three big matches already.
I have just got back from Italy.
They havent been abroad yet.
She has never won a prize.
He hasn't been to a big match for years.
I have been abroad every year since 2003.
How long have you known Paul?

! '
present perfect simple.
ever () have past participle

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 3b

.. Has Penny ever invited you

to her parties?
never () have past participle ( )
.. He has
never travelled abroad!
already () have past participle
.. Mike is very fast! He's already
done his homework and tidied his room! / He's done his homework and tidied his room already!
just () have past participle
.. Oh, you missed Mary! She has just left for work.
yet () ( )
.. Wait, wait! I haven't finished yet.
for ()
.. She has been a singer for ten years.
since ()
..She has been a singer since 2003.
how long ( )
.. How long have you lived in this house?
! for past simple .. He worked as a waiter
for ten years.
(always, never, often,
sometimes) present perfect simple .. My friends have often come to visit me on the island.
/ My friends have come to visit me on the island often.

For more information about adverbs of frequency see pages 4 and 5.

Do it!
1 Work in pairs.
A Underline the eight time expressions. Then match each with its meaning.
a Sophie: Guess what? I've just met Miley Cyrus, We use this word to
you know Hannah Montana! 1 show that something happened a very short
b Ken: Really? Where is she? I cant see her. time ago. a
c Sophie: Oh, shes already left the caf. She was 2 show that something hasnt ever happened.
visiting some friends here. 3 ask a question about a period of time.
d Ken: How long has she been in town? 4 show that something has been happening
e Sophie: For two weeks. She's been here since for a length of time.
her concert. 5 show that something has happened earlier.
f Ken: Well, Im jealous! Ive never met a 6 show a point in time when something
famous person. started to happen.
g Sophie: I have met lots! Footballers, singers and 7 to show that something hasnt happened
artists, but I havent met an actor yet. up until the time of speaking.
h Ken: Have you ever spoken to a celebrity? 8 ask if something has happened at all up
i Sophie: Oh yes. I've spoken to David Beckham. until the time of speaking.
j Ken: Wow!

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 3b

B Complete the rules.

1 We put this word at the end of the sentence. 4 We use this word before a period of time.
yet
2 We can put this word before the main verb or at 5 We use this word before a point in time.
the end of the sentence. 6 We can use this word with both the present
3 We put these words before the main verb. perfect and past simple to talk about a period
, , and of time.

2 Choose the correct answer.

Are you dreaming of blue skies? a

Have you 1 been abroad? 2 have you waited to pack your suitcase and get on
ten plane seats, ten hotel rooms, and ten
plane? Well, nows your chance. We have booked lucky winners to enjoy a
hire cars 3 ten whole days, and you could be one of those ten
wonderful holiday on the Greek island 4of Crete.
You wont have to do a thing! We have arranged everything tours of archaeological
the lucky winners! And if we havent got you
sites, and exciting days and nights out for all mountain climbing
interested 5 , theres more to come! Boat trips, water sports and 1 a ever b never
have 6 been added to this incredible deal! 2 a Already b How long
lucky winners!
Call us now at 08009 555 1234 to be one7 of the 3 a since b for
1998 .
Blue Sky have been arranging holidays
. 4 a yet b already
We are experts at organising whatever you need
9 555 1234.
For other offers and holiday prizes, call 0800 5 a yet b just
6 a just b never
7 a since b for

3 Complete the crossword. 1 2

Across
3 have you been abroad? (2 words) 3 H O W L O N G
4 Poor Daisy! She has been to a concert.
6 No, I havent met Eminem , but I hope to one day! 4

8 We havent met anyone famous we were seven!

Down 5 7

1 Ive had a broken arm two weeks now. 6

2 That girl has won a prize! Thats not fair!

5 Please help, I have had an accident. 8

7 Have you visited the Acropolis in Athens?

4 Put the time expressions where they belong.

1 Have you had an accident? ever 5 How did you talk to the actors? long
2 Our dog has won a prize in the dog show. never 6 I have lived abroad 2008. since
3 I love tennis, but I havent been to watch a 7 Ben has seen the Liverpool football team play.
match. yet already
4 Harriet has won a prize for the best hairdresser! 8 Mary has broken her leg and it wont be better a
just month. for
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 3b

5 Put the words in the correct order.

1 broken never she her arm has 5 you booked yet the big match have tickets for ?
She has never broken her arm.
2 travelled ever you abroad have ? 6 has prize in a won just Natasha the beauty contest

3 my met already mum has Brad Pitt 7 years worked have famous for with I people

4 a havent since seen cricket match last year I 8 his long neighbour been how Saki has?

6 Read and answer the questions. Use the time expressions.

My Big Match!
Im fifteen now, and Ive loved tennis since my
dad first gave me a racket ten years ago. I have
often taken part in competitions for young tennis
players like myself. But I couldnt believe it when
I won the prize for the under-16s competition! I
have never won anything before, so it was amazing
to win a prize for my favourite sport.
A journalist has just interviewed me! I feel like Im
dreaming I really can't understand how I became
the new under-16s champion!

1 How long has Ian liked tennis? since 4 What hasnt Ian ever done? never
Ian has liked tennis since he was five.
2 How long has Ian played tennis? for 5 Who has visited Ian very recently? just

3 What has Ian done before? already 6 What hasnt Ian understood? yet

All about you!

7 Complete the sentences so they are true for you.
1 I have already 4 I have for .
2 I have just . 5 I havent since .
3 I have never 6 I havent yet.

Time to talk!
8 Work in pairs. Ask and answer. Use these words and phrases and your own ideas.

How long? ever already just Have you ever met a famous person?
yet never for since
Yes! I have met two famous people,
David and Victoria Beckham.
meet a famous person go to a big match
have an accident go abroad win a prize

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 3C Present perfect continuous

Sabrina: What have you been doing all day?
Big Bob: Nothing! Its my day off, so Ive been
sleeping.
Sabrina: I dont believe you! Youve been eating
Sweeties dog treats!
Big Bob: No! I havent been eating anything!
Sabrina: HmmWhats Little Len been doing all day?
Big Bob: Hes been snacking on those delicious
biscuits that look like bones!

Learn it!
Read and complete.

Past simple, present perfect simple and present perfect continuous

He presented the documentary for six weeks. (= He doesnt present it now.)
Hes presented the documentary for six weeks. (= He started six weeks ago and still presents it.)
Hes been presenting the documentary for six weeks. (= Emphasises that he started it six weeks ago
and is still presenting it now.)

Present perfect continuous (has/have been + -ing): To emphasise that an action started in the
past and is still continuing at the moment of speaking
Affirmative Negative
I have/ve been watching the news. I have not/havent been watching the news.
You have/ve been worrying about the You have not/havent been worrying about the
exam. exam.
He has/s been presenting the TV series. He has not/hasnt been presenting the TV series.
She has/s filming a comedy. She has not/hasnt been filming a comedy.
It has/s been eating its biscuits. It has not/hasnt been eating its biscuits.
We have/ve been planning a new We have not/havent been planning a new episode.
episode.
You have/ve been walking through the You have not/havent been walking through the
jungle. jungle.
They have/ve been enjoying the games. They have not/havent been enjoying the games.

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 3c

Questions Short answers Wh- questions

Have I been sleeping? Yes, you have. / No, you . What have you been
Have you been helping? Yes, I have. / No, I havent. doing?
Has he been talking? Yes, he has. / No, he hasnt. Why has he been
shouting?
Has she been listening? Yes, she has. / No, she hasnt.
Who has been crying?
Has it been eating? Yes, it has. / No, it hasnt.
Have we been playing? Yes, we have. / No, we havent.
Have you been working? Yes, you have. / No, you havent.
Have they been waiting? Yes, they have. / No, they havent.

! present perfect continuous.

have/has + been + + -ing
..
They have been playing this game for six hours!
past simple
, .. They swam for an hour and a half.
( )
present perfect simple
.. They have swum for
an hour and a half. ( )
present perfect continuous
.. They have been
swimming for an hour and a half. (
)
for since present perfect continuous
present perfect simple .. She's been talking on the phone for
half an hour. / She's been talking on the phone since five o'clock!
all morning/all evening/all day, .
.. She's been talking on the phone all afternoon!
! continuous , present perfect continuous
stative verbs.

Information about time expressions is on pages 42 and 43.

Information about present participle spelling changes is on page 5.
Information about question forms is on page 7.

Do it!
1 Work in pairs.
A
The trek up Mount Olympus has been great! We have been walking all morning, but I dont feel
too tired or hot. It rained at lunch time and I got soaked, but at least it cooled me down! I have
been taking photographs since we started our climb. The view is amazing! The green hills and deep
valleys that we passed about an hour ago were really beautiful!

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 3c

B Complete the rules about the verbs in bold.

past simple present perfect simple (x 2) present perfect continuous (x 3)

1 We use the past simple for completed actions in the past and we know exactly when
they happened.
2 We use the and the to show that an action
which started in the past has a connection to the present.
3 We use the to emphasise that an action which started in the past is still
happening.
4 We use has/have + the past participle to form the tense.
5 We use has/have + been + the present participle to form the tense.

1 a didnt walk b havent been walking

2 Choose the correct answer.
2 a found b has found
Jack: Wow! We 1 through the jungle all day for 3 a visited b visiting
nothing! This is amazing! 4 a discovered b have discovered
Paul: So this is the Son Doong cave. I dont actually 5 a Have you known b Did you know
know much about it! 6 a Did b Has
Jack: Well, a local Vietnamese man 2 it first in 1991, 7 a havent been b werent be
but explorers have been 3 it since a team of 8 a have just done b did just do
British scientists 4
the cave for themselves in
2009. 5
that this is the largest cave in the world.
Paul: Thats so interesting! 6 anyone ever filmed a documentary about it?
Jack: No. People 7
able to reach the cave with cameras and filming equipment.
Paul: Well, we 8 it! Come on, lets start filming!

3 Complete. Use the present perfect continuous.

Greece
Mycenae Monemvasia
Hidden

The entrance to one of Greeces ancient cities
is always guarded, but not by humans! The
carved stone lions 1 have been protecting
(protect) the city of Mycenae since the
thirteenth century BCE. The Lions Gate is an
impressive sight that 2
(attract) tourists to the site for centuries. So
why 3 (people / take)
the trip through the Lions Gate? Because
the ancient city of King Agamemnon has
incredible views, interesting history, and
myths and legends of its own.
Dont miss it!
The magical town and fortress of
Monemvasia 4
(hide) away in the south of the
Peloponnese. But that doesnt mean that
it 5 (not play) an
important part in history! Since the year
583 CE, Monemvasia 6
(ght) off enemies, and more recently
great big groups of visitors! The town
has become a popular tourist spot for
those who want to walk down its cobbled
streets and enjoy the colourful history and
magnicent location.

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 3c

4 Join the two sentences to make one. Use the present perfect continuous and the word in bold.
1 I started reading a book about Niagara Falls in May. I havent finished it. since
I have been reading a book about Niagara Falls since May.
2 He is travelling in China. He has been there for five months. for

3 We are watching a TV programme. It started at 7 oclock and is still on. since

4 They are filming a documentary. They started on Saturday. They are still filming. since

5 The forest fire is still burning. It is 6 oclock and the fire started at 4 oclock. for

5 Write one word in each gap.

There are loads of reality talent shows these days that feature singers, dancers and even unusual per-
formers like dancing dogs! But where 1 did it all start?
New Zealand 2 the rst to start talent reality shows with Popstars 3 1999. 4
then, the whole world 5 gone crazy for these shows. The Idol series, for talented singers, has
6
making its way around the world and is now a top TV show in more than 46 countries! The
new World Idol has 7 been introduced, a show that features the winners from all the other
countries competing to become the best in the world!
8
before have the public seen so many reality shows, but we 9 been hearing any
complaints! We love reality TV and were in luck because this kind of entertainment is likely to carry
on 10 many years more.

All about you!

6 Complete the sentences so that they are true for you. Use the present perfect continuous.
1 I have been all day. 4 I havent been for two months.
2 I have been for . 5 I havent been since last year.
3 I havent been for three weeks.

Time to talk!
7 Work in pairs. Ask and answer with the present perfect continuous. Use these words and
phrases.
How long for since How long have you been going to this school?

I have been going to this

go to this school live in this town school for three years.
study English play on a sports team
your own ideas

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