1. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
Present Perfect Simple
I. Form:
Positive
I
you
have ( ’ve)
we
they Past participle.
he
she has ( ’s)
it
Negative
I
you have not
we ( haven’t)
they Past participle.
he
has not
she
( hasn’t )
it
Question
I
you
Have
we
they Past participle?
he
Has she
it
Bachelor Degree 1 Lecturer: Try Rathana

2. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
II. Use:
The present perfect shows a relationship between past time and present time. It can be used
in the following ways:
1. To describe an action that happened at an indefinite time before the present.
For example:
To refer to things that people have done and experience they have had. Its connection
with the present is that the experience is part of that person in the present:
1. He’s taught English in five different countries.
2. Have you been round the National Gallery?
3. I’ve been to Spain but I haven’t been to Italy.
When there is very specific evidence in the present of the event that look place in the
past:
1. Oh, you’ve had a haircut.
2. I see they’ve knocked down the old cinema in the center of town.
3. I’ve split the milk
Often in news reporting. The use of the present perfect makes the vent seem more
immediate and of direct relevance to the present:
1. In a motorway crash have killedat least twenty people
2. The Prime Minister has announced that taxes are to increase from the
beginning of next year.
3. Police has arrested two robbers.
After the construction of to be ( in the present ) + ordinal or superlative:
1. This is the first time I’ve been to London.
2. Have you everworked abroad? (i.e., In all your life up to now?)
3. I haveneverbeen to China.(i.e., Not in all your life up to now.)
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3. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
2. With adverbials
Used with adverbials that shows a connection between the past and the present,
e.g. so far, p to now, lately, already, yet , just:
1. She hasalreadydone her homework.
2. I’ve seen Jane a lot lately.
3. These letters havejustarrived.
3. With a time reference
Used with reference to a period of time that is still continuing in the present.
e.g. this morning, this afternoon, today, this week, this month, this year, this Century:
1. I’ve read two books this week.
2. They’ve been on holiday twice this year.
3. I have had several tests this month.
4. In clauses of time and condition
Can be used in clauses of time and condition when, at a certain point in the future, the
event will be in the past:
1. I’ll give you back your ring when I’ve found it.
2. I’ll go swimming with you on Monday if I’ve recovered from this cold.
3. Do you think I could borrow that book after you’ve finished reading it?
5. With since, for and how long to describe the duration of an activity or situation that
started in the past and continue up to the present and possible into the future:
1. She’s been away from home for six months.
2. Hello, I’ve seen you for ages.
3. He has lived there since he was a child.
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4. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
III. Exception /Note:
1. The difference between been and gone
1. I am afraid with Mrs. Jones as not here at the moment. She hasgone to the meeting in
Brussels. (She is still at the meeting.)
2. Anita hasbeen to the travel agent. She has her tickets for USA.(She went to the travel
agent and has returned.)
3. I havebeento japan. (I went there and now I come back)
2. Use with how much and how many
1. How many pages of that book have you read?
2. How much time have you spent on that exercise?
3. How much money have you spent per day?
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5. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
IV. Exercise:
A. Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple).
1. I (not / work) …………………….. today.
2. We (buy) …………………… a new lamp.
3. Where (be / you) ………….. ?
4. He (write) ……………………….five letters.
5. She (not / see)………………………. him for a long time.
6. (be / you) ……………….. at school?
7. School (not / start) …………………… yet.
8. (speak / he)…………………………. his boss?
9. No, he (have / not) ……………………… the time yet.
10. I ………………………………….(just/buy) a new mobile phone.
11. ………………………………….(you/ever/see)a cat without a tail?
12. My sister (never/eat) …………………….. sushi.
13. He ………………….(hear) your new tape yet.
14. How many words……………………(you/write) for your language project?
15. We ……………………………(not / plan)our holiday yet.
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6. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
B. Write questions in present perfect simple.
1. you / answer / the question ………………………………………………
2. Jenny / lock / the door ………………………………………………
3. Walter / call / us ………………………………………………
4. you / see / the picture ……………………………………………….
5. your parents / get / the letter ………………………………………………..
6. it / rain / a lot ……………………………………………
7. how often / we / sing / the song ………………………………………….
8. Maureen / watch / the film …………………………………………….
9. how many books / Bob / read …………………………………………….
10. ever / you / be / to London …………………………………………….
C. Fill in the gaps with since or for.
1. I haven't been to Erika's house ……… May.
2. Lucas has worked in the bank …….. five years.
3. I have known him …… I was six.
4. It has rained …….. more than three days.
5. They have been married …………. 1999.
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7. Norton University Year II, Semester 1
Faculty of English Grammar& Reading
Reference
1. Teaching Tenses book, eight impression 2001, page 22 – 27.
2. New Headway Intermediate, 4th edition, page 143-144.
3. www.englishexercise.org
4. www.ego4u.com
5. www.scribd.com
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