46 21 Present perfect: just, already, yet, etc. We use the present perfect for recently completed single actions, when the result of the action is important in the present: I’ve broken my leg. (Result: | can’t walk.) We often use just, already (= sooner than expected) and yet (= up to now) for emphasis. Notice the word order: The taxi has just arrived. She's. already told them what happened. They've finished their work already. Have you already eaten? Have they finished yet? He hasn’t seen the film yet. We can also use recently (= a short time ago): Have you spoken to them recently? We use the past simple for a completed past action which does not affect the present. Compare: Have you had a good holiday? (You've just returned from your holiday.) Did you have a good holiday? (You returned from your holiday some time before this question.) Ad "American English, people often use the past simple instead of the present perfect: PRACTICE 21a Complete the sentences. Use the present perfect or past simple of the verbs in brackets. ° ae [es already / meet, meet) 2 Harriet me anything yet but her sister me yesterday that Harriet’s expecting a baby. (not tell, tell) 3 Look! | .. all my exams! I'm so relieved because | - .. them all last year. (pass, not pass) 4 My parents -They minutes ago. (just / arrive, arrive) 5 A your wallet yet? B: Yes, | it under the sofa this morning. (you / find, find) 6 Someone the window ~ there's glass everywhere. They 5 it last night. (break, break) 7 Nathan his hand so he can't write. He it last week playing tennis. (hurt, hurt) 8 Ifyou're looking for Carol, | her... a few minutes ago in the canteen. (just / see, see) in a taxi about five her21b Complete the conversations. Use the words in brackets and just, already, yet or recently. © A: Would you ike something to eat? B: No, thanks. ve just had lu -(V/ have / lunch) 4A: IsTony here? B: I'm sorn . (you / miss / him) 2A (you / taste / the chocolates?) B: Yes, and they're delicious. 3. A: Whyare we hurrying? B: We're late. .. ..- (the film / start) 4 A: Whyisall this laundry still here? B: (they / not repair / the washing machine) (you / finish / your homework?) No, but it won’t take me much longer! 6 A: Congratulations (1/ hear / the news) B: Thanks. We're delighted. 7 A: Would you like a coffee? B: No, thanks. | / have / three cups) 8 A: | hear Gemma isn't wel . (you / see / her?) B: No, not for a few days. Perhaps we should drop by. 21¢ Complete the e-mail. Use the present perfect or past simple of the verbs in brackets. e0e New Message Dear Javier, I'm sorry | (0) .. .. (not be) in touch recently but | () . (be) really busy. | (2) my third job interview this morning but unfortunately, no one (3) ... . (offer) me a job yet. | (4) ... -. (look) everywhere and I (5) ... ..«. (fill in) dozens of application forms. Still, I'm not discouraged. Some things take time. (go) to In fact, I'm really enjoying myself here. | (6) .. 5 see) Cats and | (7) .. (just / buy) tickets for the next Madonna concert — | (8) .. (stand) in line for an hour this afternoon but it was worth it. Also, | like the family I'm staying with ~ they (9) (give) me lots of advice about finding work and last night they even (10) ... .. (take) me out for a meal. We talk all the time and as a result, my English (11) . (already / improve) a lot. Anyway, someone (12) come) to the door. | hope it’s the pizza | (13) an hour ago. I'll write more often in future — | promise. .. (already / Farida 4722 Present perfect: for, since @ We use the present perfect with for and since to talk about states, events or actions that began in the past and continue up to now. We use for +a period of time and since +a point in time: for a month/three years/ages since 2004/yesterday/| was four: We've known each other for years/since 1997. (Not We-knew-each-other for years.) @ We use the past simple for states, events or actions that began and ended in the past. We can use forto talk about a finished period of time. Compare: She's been a doctor for twenty years. (She's still a doctor.) She was a doctor for twenty years. (She isn’t a doctor now.) ‘How long has he been in the army?’ ‘For five years.’ (He’s still in the army.) ‘How long was he in the army?’ ‘For five years.’ (He isn’t in the army now.) @ To talk about an unfinished time period, we use the present perfect with expressions such as today, this morning/week. We use the past simple for a finished time period. Compare: Have you been busy this morning? (It's still morning.) Were you busy this morning? (It’s now afternoon or evening.) es ee ea fe 22 Re-write the sentences. Use the words in brackets. © It’s weeks since we last saw one another. (seen) We ,haven't seen one another for weeks 1 When did you get married? (been) How long... 2 They haven't seen their parents for two weeks. (since) It’s two weeks .. 3 I'mtired because the last time | slept was two days ago. (for) I'm tired because | .. 4 When Owen left his job, he began to feel more relaxed. (Felt) Since Owen left his job, 5 Vanessa hasn't been to the cinema for months. (since) It’s months 6 I started working as a waiter and quit a month later. (for) 1 7 It’s many years since they visited their grandparents. (for) They 8 How long have Belinda and Roderick been married? (get) When .. 9 She met them when she was a child. (known) She .. 10 They're angry because the last time they got paid was two months ago. (been) They're angry because they22b Complete the conversations. Use the present perfect or past simple of the verbs in brackets. Sometimes more than one answer is possible. (you / have) a busy day today? ; B: Not really. | finished |. (finish) writing my essay this morning and then | (go) windsurfing. a A: (you / talk) to Hunter today? B: No. He .. (not come) in to work this morning. He (be) ill since Tuesday. 2 A: Sales... (increase) in the first three months of this year and the prediction is that they will continue to rise. B: Excellent news! Where (wait) for hours. B: Sorry, | should have rung. | ..- (be) at work. . (the package / arrive) yesterday? ... (not arrive) this morning either. Perhaps it'll . (you / be) last night? | No, and it come later this afternoon. ... (not see) Catherine today. What about you? B: I'm seeing her tomorrow. 22€ Complete the texts. Use the present perfect or past simple of the verbs in the box. be catch (x2) collect drop introduce keep notsee phone study suggest Carrie and | (0) studied. together at university for three Z years. We (1) . in touch but I (2) .. for ages. To my surprise, she (3) .. @).. we meet for lunch today. | (5 bus to town this morning but although | (6) .. an hour, there’s no sign of her. | hope she’s all right. me last week and . here for over We're here this morning in Marylebone Road in London, where traffic Z police (7) .... these cameras a year ago to catch drivers who break the law. Since then, the police (8) ... thousands of motorists on camera and (9) ... many thousands of pounds in fines. Officials claim that traffic congestion (10) .. . by almost 20% since the cameras were installed. 49