Present Perfect

B11 – Unit 9a
(a) We’ve worked since 8 o’clock.
(b) I have played the violin for six years.
I learned to play six years ago, and I still
play it.

present perfect + since

for

past present
(f) We’ve worked since 8 o’clock.

now
8:00

x x

x
I have been here since 6:00 AM.

now
6:00
x x

x
 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

(a) I have worked here
since noon.
since Wednesday.
since April.
since 2006.
since May 9, 2007.
since yesterday.
since last week.

Since Specific point in time

 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

(b) CORRECT: I have studied English since 2007.

CORRECT: I have used a computer since 2007.

present perfect + since

(c) INCORRECT: I am studying English since 2007.

present continuous NOT used

 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

(b) CORRECT: I have studied English since 2007.

CORRECT: I have used a computer since 2007.

present perfect + since

(d) INCORRECT: I study English since 2007.

simple present NOT used

 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

(b) CORRECT: I have studied English since 2007.

CORRECT: I have used a computer since 2007.

present perfect + since

(e) INCORRECT: I studied English since 2007.

INCORRECT: I was study English since 2007.

simple past NOT used

 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

MAIN CLAUSE SINCE-CLAUSE

(present perfect) (simple past)
(f) I have known her since I was fifteen.
(g) Jim has played many sports since he tried soccer.

Since time clause

 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

for fifty minutes.

for five hours.
for ten days.
(h) I have worked here for about six weeks.
for almost two months.
for many years.
for a long time.
For length of time
 4-5 USING SINCE AND FOR

(i) I have worked here for twelve years.

I got a job here twelve years ago, and I still have it

present perfect + for + length of time

past present

(j) I played sports for fifteen years. I am too busy no

simple past
past present
4-5 LET’S PRACTICE

he started school
15 years

Alejandro has studied English

he started school
since ________________.
Alejandro has studied English
fifteen years
for __________________.
 4-5 LET’S PRACTICE

for
since
I have driven a taxisince
_____ 2006.
My uncle has driven a taxi for
____ thirty years.
 4-7 LET’S PRACTICE

PRESENT PERFECT live

How long ___

has your family lived
______
here?
have lived
We __________ here for ten years.
The present perfect has 2 parts:

But...what does “past participle” mean?

 Past Participle
What is a past participle?
•For regular past tense verbs, the –ed
form: liked, walked, worked, talked

•For irregular past verbs, memorize:

been, seen, had, eaten, shown,
written
 Yes/No Questions
You have you finished ?

He has he studied a lot ?

 Something that started in the past and is
still true now

Examples:
-I have worked at ECC since 2000.
-Susan has lived in New York for a long time.
-I have known my best friend since I was 14.
Key words for present perfect
Since and for

 Since+ specific point in the past when

the action started

 For + duration, length of time

Practice: since or for?
_______ 6:00
_______ January
_______ 10 years _______ Wednesday
_______ Monday _______ a month
_______ 12 noon _______ two days ago
_______ I got up
_______ November 1
_______ 5 minutes
_______ 2004
_______ a long time ago
_______ four days _______ an hour
_______ I was young