Present perfect 1 (I have done)







Watch complete video - com senha

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 recently, and he still doesn't have it.

The pesent perfect simple is
have/has + past participle. The past participle often endes in -ed (finished /decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost / done / written etc)

For a list of irregular verbs
click here.

B When we say that 'something has happened', this is usually new information:

   - Ow! I'
ve cut my finger.
   - The road is closed. There'
s been (there has been) an accident.
   - (from the news) Police
have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:

   - 'Where's your key?' 'I don't know. I'
ve lost it.' (= I don't have 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?)

C You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

Just = a short time ago:

   - 'Are you hungry?' 'No, I'
ve just had lunch.'
   - Hello.
Have you just arrived?'

We use
already to say that something happened sooner than expected:

   - 'Don't forget to send the letter.' I'
ve already sent it.'
   - 'What time is Mark leaving?' 'He'
s already gone.'

Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:

   -
Has it stopped raining yet?
   - I've written the letter, but I
haven't sent it yet.

D Note the difference between gone (to) and been(to):

   - Jim is on holiday. He
has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there)
   - Jane is back home now. She
has been to Italy. (she has now come back)


Exercises
home