Intermediate grammar · Unit 8 · B1

Present perfect 2 (I have done)

Present perfect and past

Use the present perfect for a period of time that continues from the past until now: your life so far, recently, so far, since, today, this year. It is also the tense for It's the first time ... .

Go to the exercises

A A period that continues until now

Study this conversation:

Speaker
Ellie Have you seen many bands live, Raj?
Raj Yes, I've seen loads.
Ellie Have you ever seen the Arctic Monkeys?
Raj Yes, I've seen them twice.
Ellie What about Coldplay?
Raj No, I haven't seen Coldplay.

They are talking about Raj's life, which is a period that continues from the past until now. For a period like this, use the present perfect (have seen, have been, have travelled).

been (to) means visited.

  • Have you ever eaten black pudding?
  • We've never had a dishwasher.
  • I don't know how it ends. I haven't finished it.
  • My mum loves that film. She's seen it five times. (She's = She has)
  • It's a terrible album. It's the worst album I've ever heard.
  • I've never been to Belfast. Have you been there?

B recently, so far, since ..., today, this year

The same applies with words that describe a period continuing until now: recently, in the last few days, so far, since I arrived and similar.

Use the present perfect with today, this morning, this week, this year when the period has not finished at the time of speaking.

  • Have you spoken to your sister recently?
  • I've had three job interviews in the last few days.
  • The new system is working well. There haven't been any complaints so far.
  • The weather here is awful. It's (= It has) rained every day since we arrived.
  • It's lovely to see you. We haven't seen each other for ages.
  • I've eaten far too many biscuits today.
  • Have you been on holiday this year?
  • I haven't seen Kate this morning. Have you?

C It's the first time something has happened

After It's the first time (or the second time, the third time), use the present perfect, not the present simple.

Megan is having her first swimming lesson. We can say:

It's the first time she has swum in a pool. (not swims) or She hasn't swum in a pool before. or She has never swum in a pool before.

  • It's the first time she's swum in a pool. (not It's the first time she swims)
  • Lee has left his keys in the door again. This is the second time it has happened. (not happens)
  • Dad is ringing the gas company again. It's the fourth time he's rung them today.

Exercises

8.1 You ask people about things they have done. Write questions with ever.

  1. (climb / mountain?)

    Have you ever climbed a mountain?

    Have you ever climbed a mountain?

  2. (be / Scotland?)

  3. (swim / in the sea?)

  4. (meet / famous person?)

  5. What's ... (best meal / eat?)

8.2 Complete B's answers. Some are positive and some are negative. Use these verbs.

bebeeathappenhavehavemeetplayreadseetry

  1. A: What's Ian's new girlfriend like? B: Couldn't tell you. I haven't met her yet.

    What's Ian's new girlfriend like? Couldn't tell you. I haven't met her yet.

  2. A: How's the new job going? B: Fine. We haven't had any problems so far.

    How's the new job going? Fine. We haven't had any problems so far.

  3. A: Are you starving? B: Yes. I anything since breakfast.

  4. A: Can you play the piano? B: I used to, but I for years.

  5. A: Are you enjoying the festival? B: Yes, it's the most fun I for years.

  6. A: Is that new crime novel any good? B: I don't know. I it.

  7. A: Is Aberdeen a nice city? B: No idea. I there.

  8. A: I hear your boiler broke down again. B: Yes, it's the third time it this winter.

  9. A: Do you like octopus? B: I don't know. I it.

  10. A: Danny was late for school again today. B: Again? He late every day this week.

  11. A: Who's that man with the dog? B: No idea. I him before.

8.3 Write four sentences about yourself. Use I haven't, an activity and a time expression. Activities: had a takeaway, been on a train, done any exercise, watched the news, read a newspaper, bought any clothes. Time expressions: today, this week, recently, for ages, since ..., this year.

  1. Example

    Example answer: I haven't had a takeaway this week.

  2. Sentence 1 about yourself.

  3. Sentence 2 about yourself.

  4. Sentence 3 about yourself.

  5. Sentence 4 about yourself.

8.4 Read the situations and complete the sentences, using the words in brackets.

  1. Amira is riding a bike for the first time. She is wobbling all over the path. (It's the first time ...)

    It's the first time she's ridden a bike.

    It's the first time she's ridden a bike.

  2. Some children on a school trip are looking at the sea. They have never seen it before. (It's the first time ...)

  3. Gary is trying to cook a meal. He has no idea which pan to use. (He ... before.)

  4. Lily and Sam are in Paris. They have been to Paris once before. (This is the second time ...)

  5. Kemal is having dinner at the Golden Dragon. He ate there last month too. (It's not the first time ...)

  6. Beth is skiing for the first time. She is a complete beginner. (She ... before.)

See also