Present Perfect Simple – Time expressions

 For & Since

For is used for a period of time. It show duration.

e.g. They have known each other for two months.

Since is used for a point of time. It means “from that point”.

e.g. They have known each other since 1980.

 Already

Already is used in questions and statements.

e.g. Have you already finished?
Yes, I have already finished.

Before the main verb

 Yet

Yet is used in questions and negative sentences.

e.g. Have you finished yet?
No, I haven’t finished yet.

At the end of the sentence

 Has been to/ has been in/ has gone to

e.g. Kate has gone to the U.S.A.

(= she hasn’t returned yet. She is still here.)

Mary has been to France.

(=she has gone and returned.)

 Ever / never

Ever is used in questions.

e.g. Have you ever visited Australia?

Never is used in affirmative sentences but has negative meaning.

e.g. I’ve never been to Australia.

 Just

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Just is used in affirmative sentences to describe a very recent event.
e.g. Maria has just phoned from the airport.

Simple Past VS Present Perfect Simple

Simple Past Present Perfect Simple

Example I visited 56 countries. I have visited 56 countries.

This person visited 56

countries and so far the
This person visited 56
travelling is finished.
Meaning countries, but his travelling is
However, his travelling may
finished.
continue in the future (or it
may not continue).
This person may put a
This person may NOT add a
specific time in this sentence.
specific time.
It is optional.
Specific time?
I visited 56 countries last I have visited 56 countries last
year. year.

Practice

A. Match each sentence with an explanation.

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 1. Jim has just written a book. ………
2. Has Jim written a book yet? ………
3. Jim has already written a book. ………
4. Jim wrote a book a year ago. ………
5. Jim has never written a book. ………
6. Has Jim ever written a book? ………
7. Jim has written two books since 2006. ………

a. This is not his first book.

b. Does Jim write books?
c. He finished his book last year.
d. He finished a few days ago.
e. Jim started writing in 2006 and has written two books between then and
now.
f. Jim doesn’t write books.
g. Has he finished a book?

B. Complete each sentence with a time word from the box.

already ever for just never since yet

1. Sue has …………… been on the beach an hour, but she hasn’t swum 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 please 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.
8. She has worked here …………… 3 years.

C. Complete each sentence with a time word from the box.

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ever yet never since for just

1. Carlos has lived in the city centre …………… 1996.

2. Have you …………… drunk pineapple juice? It’s fantastic!
3. I’ve …………… heard some fantastic news! I’ve passed my exams!
4. Hurry up! Haven’t you finished ……………?
5. I’ve …………… been on a big ship before. It’s an interesting experience!
6. Nina has worked in this company …………… five years.

D. Complete the sentences with the past simple or present perfect simple
form of the verb in brackets.
1. Where ………………………… for holidays last year? (you/go)
2. I can’t play anymore. I ………………………… my foot. (just/hurt)
3. Jane is a famous writer and ………………………… over fifty books.
(write)
4. Sorry, I ………………………… my letters yet. (not/finish)
5. “We had a great party last week.” “Who …………………………?”
(you/invite)
6. Where ………………………… Sam? Was it at the sports centre?
(you/meet)
7. Peter ………………………… basketball for a month. (not/play)
8. I ………………………… the twins in town last week. (see)
9. ………………………… her brother? (you/ever/meet)
10. Where ………………………… last weekend? (you/be)
11. ………………………… Kathleen? (you/see)
12. We ………………………… on holiday last year. (not/go)
13. I love clothes. I ………………………… a lot this year. (buy)
14. What ………………………… last weekend? (you/do)
15. Dad ………………………… the car, you can use it now. (repair)
16. Agatha Christie ………………………… from 1890 to 1976. (live)
17. Granny still ………………………… her glasses. (not/find)
18. Where ………………………… your laptop? (you/buy)

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 19. Oh! You ………………………… the kitchen, I like the colour. (paint)
20. What time ………………………… home last night? (you/get)
21. Emma! Your letter ………………………… at last! (arrive)
22. The weather ………………………… good all week. (be)
23. I ………………………… work early yesterday. (finish)
24. Sue’s not here, she ………………………… out. (go)
25. The weather ………………………… very good last week. (not/be)
26. We ………………………… to the cinema twice this month. (be)
27. Brian ………………………… in England until the age of 14. (live)

E. Complete the sentences with the past simple or present perfect simple
form of the verb in brackets.

They are making a cake but they

………………………… yet.

Anne ………………………… married in Boston two months

ago.

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 Sonia ………………………… the right book.

Her parents ………………………… her the bicycle last yer.

F. Do the sentences have any mistakes? Find the mistakes and rewrite the
sentences. Two sentences are correct.
1. I’ve lost my keys. I can’t find them anywhere.
……………………………………………………

2. Have you eaten a lot of sweets when you were a child?

……………………………………………………

3. I’ve bought a new car last week.

……………………………………………………

4. I’ve bought a new car. You must come and see it.
……………………………………………………

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5. Where have you been yesterday evening?
……………………………………………………

6. Have you gone to Paris? Yes, many times.

……………………………………………………

7. When I got home last night, I have been very tired and have gone straight
to bed.
……………………………………………………