PRESENT PERFECT AND PAST SIMPLE: TIME EXPRESSIONS

Ever, just, yet, already, since, for, ago

Present Perfect

We use the present perfect with:

-ever, never (any time / not any time)

Have you ever seen a lion? I’ve never seen a lion.

-just (a short time ago)

Is Peter here? No, he’s just gone out. They’ve just got married. They’re on honeymoon.

-yet (not finished – with negatives and questions)

Have you finished your homework yet? No, I’m still doing it.

-already (finished – with statements)

Have a sandwich! No, thanks, I’ve already eaten. I had lunch at 12:00.

-since (a point in time)

I’ve lived in this town since 2008. (I live here now.)

-for (a period of time)

I’ve lived in this town for three years. (I live here now)

Past Simple

-for (a period of time)

I lived in that flat for 2 years, but I don’t live there now.

-ago

I started learning English a year ago.

EXERCISES

I. Match each sentence (1-7) with an explanation (a-g)

1. Jim has just written a book. _______ a ) This is not his first book.
2. Has Jim written a book yet? ________ b) Does Jim write books?
3. Jim has already written a book. _______ c) He finished his book last year.
4. Jim wrote a book a year ago. _______ d) He finished a few days ago.
5. Jim has never written a book. _______ e) Jim doesn’t write books.
6. Has Jim ever written a book? _______ f) Has he finished a book?
7. Jim has written 2 books since 2006 _______ g) Jim started writing in 2006 and has
written two books between then and now.
II. Underline the correct word in each sentence:
1. Have you ever / yet visited Slovenia?
2. Tom has for / just come back from the USA.
3. I’m not hungry. I’ve already / since eaten.
4. Jane lived in Greece since / for fifteen years.
5. Brian and Claire got married ten years ago / since ten tears.
6. I can’t come out. I haven’t done my homework already / yet.
7. Mark has worked in Turkey ago / since 2008.
III. Complete each sentence with a time word from the box:
1. Sue has been on the beach ______ an hour, but she hasn’t had a swim yet.
2. I don’t want to see this film. I’ve _________ seen it.
3. Have you ________ been to the Greek islands?
4. Can you wait a moment? I haven’t finished _______.
5. Ouch! An insect has _________ bitten me!
6. George has ________ eaten Chinese food, so this is the first time for him!
7. Rick has lived in Japan _______ 2008.
IV. Complete each sentence with the past simple or the present perfect form of the verbs:
1. Tina isn’t here. She (just go) ________________ to school.
2. What time (you get up) ____________________ this morning?
3. Paul (have) __________________ a bad car accident three years ago.
4. I (live) _________________ in the same house since 2005.
5. What (you do) _________________ last night?
6. Brian (not finish) __________________ his work yet.
7. Tina (arrive) _________________ here in 2008.
8. (you see) ________________ my watch? I can’t find it.
V. Complete each sentence with a time expression:
1. Sam has worked for the same company ____________ three years.
2. Karen hasn’t finished her project _______________.
3. A: What’s Madrid like?
B: I don’t know. I’ve __________ been there.
4. I waited at the bus-stop _____________ two hours.
5. I’ve ______________ had a phone call from my brother in Canada.
6. Helen has lived here ____________ 2008.
7. Have you ___________ eaten Chinese food?
VI. Rewrite each sentence so it has the same meaning. Use the words given:
1. I last went to the cinema a long time ago. (haven’t)
I __________________________________________ for a long time.
2. Jane rode her bike to school when she was younger. (ride)
Jane _______________________________________ to school.
3. Peter is at school. (has)
Peter _______________________________ to school.
4. Tim and Sue played in the garden every day. (used)
Tim and Sue ________________________________________.
5. How long were you in Turkey? (stay)
_____________________________________ in Turkey?
 6. Joe started living here three years ago. (for)
Joe ______________________________________ three years.
7. Is this your first visit to Scotland? (have)
___________________________________________ before?
VII. Complete each sentence with one word:
1. Kate has _________ twenty photos of the children so far.
2. Have you ever __________ this book? It’s really good.
3. Have you ever ___________ to Egypt?
4. The dog’s not hungry. It hasn’t _________ its dinner.
5. I’m going to bed. I think I’ve ___________ a cold.
6. Oh no! I’ve ________ my bag on the bus.
7. Jim has just __________ a new mountain bike. It was very expensive.
8. The washing machine has stopped working. I think I’ve _________ it.
VIII. Correct each sentence:
1. When have you arrived here? ______________________________?
2. What you were doing when I phoned you? ______________________?
3. I didn’t do the shopping yet. _____________________________.
4. When I was young I was wearing glasses. ________________________________.
5. Dan arrived late because he was missing the bus. __________________________.
6. Peter, this is Mary. Did you meet her before? _____________________________?
7. I use to get up early every morning. ____________________________________.