A.
Study this example situation:
Tom is
looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key. 'He has lost his
key' = He lost it and he still hasn't got it.
Have/has
lost is the present perfect simple:
I/we/they/you
have (= I've etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.
he/she/it has (= he's etc.) finished/lost/done/been etc.
The
present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often
ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular
(lost/done/been/written etc.). For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.
B.
When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The
action in the past has a result now:
*
'Where's your key?' J don't know. I've lost it.' (I haven't got it now)
* He
told me his name but I've forgotten it. (I can't remember it now)
* 'Is
Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.' (she is out now)
* I
can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (do you know where it is now?)
We often
use the present perfect to give new information or to announce a recent
happening:
* Ow!
I've cut my finger.
* The
road is closed. There's been (= there has been) an accident.
* (from
the news) The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.
C. You
can use the present perfect with just, already and yet:
Just = a
short time ago:
* 'Would
you like something to eat?' 'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.'
* Hello.
Have you just arrived?
We use
already to say that something happened sooner than expected (see also Unit
110D).
* 'Don't
forget to post the letter, will you?' 'I've already posted it.'
* 'What
time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already gone.'
Yet =
'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use
yet only in questions and negative sentences (see also Unit 110C):
* Has it
stopped raining yet?
* I've
written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.
D.
Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):
* Jim is
away on holiday. He has gone to Spain. (= he is there now or on his way there)
* Jane
is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back
from Italy)
For been
(to) see also Units 8 and 125B.
EXERCISES
7.1
You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you give news about
yourself and other people. Use the words given to make sentences. Use the
present perfect.
Dear
Chris,
Lots of
things have happened since I last wrote to you.
1.
I/buy/a new car
I've
bought a new car.
2. my father/start/a
new job
3.
I/give up/smoking
4.
Charles and Sarah/go/to Brazil
5.
Suzanne/have/a baby
7.2
Read the situations and write sentences. Choose one of the following:
arrive break go up
grow improve lose
1. Mike
is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key.
2.
Margaret can't walk and her leg is in plaster. She ---
3.
Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is much better. ---
4. Tim
didn't have a beard last month. Now he has a beard. ---
5. This
morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it. ---
6. Last
week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90. ---
7.3
Complete Bs sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just/already/yet (as sbown).
1. A:
Would you like something to eat?
B: No,
thanks. I've just had lunch. (just/have)
2. A: Do
you know where Julia is?
B: Yes,
I --- her. (just/see)
3. A:
What time is David leaving?
B: He
--- (already/leave)
4. A:
What's in the newspaper today?
B: I
don't know. I --- (not/read/yet)
5. A: Is
Ann coming to the cinema with us?
B: No,
she --- the film. (already/see)
6. A:
Are your friends here yet?
B: Yes,
they --- (just/arrive)
7. A:
What does Tim think about your plan?
B: I ---
(not/tell/yet)
7.4
Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.
1. After
lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says 'Would you like something
to eat?'
You say:
No, thank you. I've just had lunch. (have lunch)
2. Joe
goes out. Five minutes later, the phone rings and the caller says 'Can I speak
to Joe?'
You say:
I'm afraid --- (go out)
3. You
are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts to
take your plate away.
You say:
Wait a minute! --- (not/finish)
4. You
are going to a restaurant this evening. You phone to reserve a table. Later
your friend says 'Shall I phone to reserve a table?'
You say:
No --- it. (do)
5. You
know that a friend of yours is looking for a job. Perhaps she has been
successful. Ask her.
You say:
---? (find)
6. Ann
went to the bank, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks 'Is Ann
still at the bank?'
You say:
No, --- (come back)
7.5
Put in been or gone.
1. Jim
is on holiday. He's gone to Italy.
2.
Hello! I've just --- to the shops. I've bought lots of things.
3. Alice
isn't here at the moment. She's --- to the shop to get a newspaper.
4. Tom
has. --- out. He'll be back in about an hour.
5. 'Are
you going to the bank?' 'No, I've already --- to the bank.'
