Present Perfect Tense

1 Experience

You speak / write about things you have done / haven’t done yet. It is not relevant when these
things happened.

I’ve done lots of dangerous things.

I’ve been bitten by a snake twice.
She’s played a lot of basketball during the last two months.
As you have probably seen in the national press, ...

2 Change and Completion

You speak about a new and changed situation.

I’ve had may hair cut short.

My Dad had an accident. He’s broken his leg.
I’ve done my homework. Can I watch TV ?
I have also arranged for supper to be held at Thorpes restaurant.
Three main programs of research have been identified ...

3 Duration of a state (Duration of an activity: Progressive form)

You want to express for how long something has been going on. You speak about a state, not
an action.

How long have you been close friends ?

You’ve always treated me like a baby !
They’ve been married since 1985.
Our many loyal supporters have long recognised the unique combination ...
The last twenty years have seen an increasing commitment made to a range of postgraduate
activities

4 Recent events (Duration of an event: Progressive form)

You want to express something has happened only a short time ago.

Your Mum has just phoned.

Where have you been ? - I’ve been to the doctors.
I’ve just got back.

Mind: In reported speech, Present Perfect always changes to Past Perfect tense.
He said he’d just got back.
Exercises

Fill in the Present Perfect tense and explain its usage (1-4).

I ________________ such a beautiful girl before. (see)

But your children ________________ ! (grow)
Mr. Thompson _______________ with us for 12 years, I have to say. (be)
Since we came here we ________________ many new friends. (make)
Peter _____________________ to the department of the interior (transfer)
He ______________ a member of the Austrian ski team since 1992. (be)
He _________________ in slaloms since 1992. (participate)
_________________ to a rave ? (be)
I ____________ all I can (do).
Jane ? - But she _________________ (leave). You should have met her outside.
No, I __________________ an appendix before. (operate)
I _________________ at this university for almost 10 years now.(be)
For the last two months he ________________ anything but practise for the championships.
(not do)
I ______________________ to Mannheim before, yes. (be)
I don’t know where Beryl is. I _________________ (come).
I __________________ quite a number of Verdi operas through the years. (see)
Ouch ! I ______________ my arm !! (hurt)
Mum ! Bring an umbrella ! It _____________________ to rain ! (start)
Look ! I _____________ my navel pierced ! (have)
For at least two years they _________________ to each other. (not speak)
Meier isn't running, he _________________________ (disqualify).
I didn’t hear the doorbell. I ________________________ tests (correct).
How can you marry someone so young ? - I _____________ her for ages (know)
No, I ______________ coffee. (make)
Why is your hair wet ? - I ______________________ (swim).
They __________________ through any up and down you can possibly imagine. (be)
Austria ______________ a member of the EU since 1995. (be)
Present / Past / Present Perfect

They _________________ their house. It looks much nicer now.

Someone _________________ my passport. I’ve got to see the police.
The accident _____________ at six o’clock yesterday.
As far as I can remember Santa ______________ 8 reindeer.
My Dad _____________ a teacher 25 years ago.
It _________________ 25 years for the planet to make a full round of the sun.
Santa Claus _____________ at the North Pole.
My parents ____________________ for 25 years.
I thought I ___________ in heaven.
Last night Santa Claus ___________a roe in the snow.
My headache ? It _____________ this morning.
I _____________ a headache every morning.
I ___________________ you pencil. You can have it back in a minute.
______________________to the Burgtheater ?
She asked me if I _________________ mad.
Whenever I _________ the drums my family __________ mad at me.
I _____________ the play last Thursday.
I usually __________ my psychotherapist on Thursdays.
Since the Christmas party __________________ in love with Romeo.
There ___________ a Christmas party at the Flying Dolphin.
Nancy’s leg is in a plaster. I think she _______________ it.
They ______________ just a moment ago.
They _____________ early every Tuesday.
He said he ______________ sure.
My family _______________ our dog since I was a baby.
In our family we always ______________ a dog.
I _______________ Christmas presents. (never buy)

by chilby 2010