Intermediate grammar · Unit 7 · B1

Present perfect 1 (I have done)

Present perfect and past

Use have/has + past participle for a past action that has a result now, and for new information. This unit also covers gone and been, and the present perfect with just, already and yet.

Go to the exercises

A What the present perfect is

Nia is turning her handbag inside out. She cannot find her purse.

She has lost her purse (she's lost it). She lost it at some point in the past, and she does not have it now.

have lost / has lost is the present perfect simple. The form is have/has + past participle:

Subject have / has Past participle
I / we / you / they have ('ve) finished, lost, done, been
he / she / it has ('s) finished, lost, done, been

The past participle often ends in -ed (finished, decided). Many common verbs, however, are irregular (lost, done, written).

  • Nia's lost her purse.
  • I've finished my homework.
  • Have you done the shopping?

B New information, and a result now

When we say that something has happened, it is usually new information.

The present perfect always has a connection with now. The action happened in the past, but its result is here in the present.

Compare gone (to) and been (to):
Dave is on holiday. He has gone to Majorca. He is there now, or on his way there.
Jo is home again. She has been to Majorca. She went, and she has come back.
  • Oh no! I've spilt my coffee.
  • The motorway is closed. There's been a crash. (= There has been ...)
  • The council has announced plans for a new swimming pool.
  • Nia has lost her purse. (= she doesn't have it now)
  • She told me her surname, but I've forgotten it. (= I can't remember it now)
  • Paul is still upstairs. He hasn't left. (= he is here now)
  • I can't find the remote. Have you seen it? (= do you know where it is now?)

C just, already and yet

just means a short time ago.

already means sooner than expected.

yet means until now. It shows that we expect something to happen. Use yet in questions and negatives, usually at the end of the sentence.

  • "Do you want a biscuit?" "No thanks, I've just had my lunch."
  • Hiya. Have you just got here?
  • "Remember to put the bins out." "I've already put them out."
  • "When is Gav leaving?" "He's already left."
  • Has the post come yet?
  • I've written the card, but I haven't posted it yet.

D The past simple is sometimes possible

In the examples on this page, the past simple (did, went, had) is also possible, and it is common in American English. In British English the present perfect is more usual when the result is still relevant now.

  • Gill isn't here. She's gone out. or She went out.
  • "Are you hungry?" "No, I've just eaten." or "No, I just ate."

Exercises

7.1 Read the situations and complete the sentences using the present perfect. Choose from these verbs.

breakdisappeargo upgrowimproveloseshrinkstop

  1. Sam is looking for his phone. He can't find it. Sam has lost his phone.

    Sam has lost his phone.

  2. Ana's driving wasn't very good. Now it is much better. Her driving .

  3. The biscuits were in the tin, but they aren't there now. The biscuits .

  4. Joe can't use his arm, and it's in plaster. Joe his arm.

  5. Last month a coffee cost £3. Now it costs £3.40. The price of coffee .

  6. Ella's hair was short before. Now it's down to her shoulders. Ella's hair .

  7. The wind was very strong an hour ago. It isn't blowing now. The wind .

  8. I washed my jeans on a hot wash, and now they're too small for me. My jeans .

7.2 Put in been or gone.

  1. Our neighbours are away. They've gone to Portugal for a fortnight.

    Our neighbours are away. They've gone to Portugal for a fortnight.

  2. Hi! I've just to the market. I've bought loads of vegetables.

  3. Jamal has just out. He'll be back in half an hour.

  4. Kirsty isn't in the office at the moment. I don't know where she's .

  5. You're two hours late. Where have you ?

7.3 Complete the sentences using the present perfect.

  1. Ollie is still in bed. He hasn't got (he / not / get) up.

    Ollie is still in bed. He hasn't got up.

  2. I can't find my glasses. (you / see / them) anywhere?

  3. I can't pay for this. (I / leave) my card at home.

  4. I texted Marie at lunchtime, but (she / not / reply).

  5. Is the film still on, or (it / finish)?

  6. (the wind / drop). It's much calmer now.

  7. (you / not / pay) for your parking. Could you do it now, please?

  8. Are the kids still at the park, or (they / come) back?

  9. Josh doesn't know which university to choose. (he / not / decide / yet).

  10. "Do you know where Tom is?" "Yes, (I / just / speak / to him)."

  11. "When is Lauren starting her new job?" " (she / already / start)."

  12. A: (the builders / finish / yet)? B: Not yet. They'll be done on Friday.

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet, using the verb in brackets.

  1. You arrive at a friend's flat straight after a meal. She asks: "Would you like a sandwich?" You say: No, thanks. ... (eat)

    I've just eaten.

    No, thanks. I've just eaten.

  2. Your flatmate Kev leaves the house. Two minutes later, somebody knocks and asks: "Is Kev in?" You say: I'm afraid ... (go out)

  3. In a café, the waiter starts to take your cup away, but there is still tea in it. You say: Excuse me! ... (not / finish)

  4. You booked the train tickets this morning. Later your partner asks: "Shall I book the train tickets?" You say: No, ... (do it)

  5. Your friend Megan is looking for a job. Perhaps she has found one by now. You ask her: ... (find)

  6. You are still thinking about what to buy your dad for his birthday. A friend asks: "What are you getting your dad?" You say: ... (not / decide)

  7. Your son Alfie went to the shop, and a few minutes ago he came home. Somebody asks: "Is Alfie still at the shop?" You say: No, ... (come back)

See also