the simple present of the verb to have + the past participle of the main verb.
EXERCISE 1
Write the simple past and present perfect of these verbs:
| VERB | SIMPLE PAST | PRESENT PERFECT |
| I go | I went | I have gone |
| He visits | ||
| We see | ||
| They eat | ||
| You drink | ||
| Martin buys | ||
| She wants | ||
| We make | ||
| Marion puts | ||
| Sam and Paul break | ||
| We have | ||
| I come | ||
| You do | ||
| They know | ||
| It reads | ||
| The twins get |
We use the present perfect:
- to describe an action that was completed in the past at a time which is neither mentioned nor implied in any way. The use of the present perfect implies that a result of this past action comes up to the present.
E.G. Tom is not going to the cinema with them because he has seen that film.
- with just to express an action that was recently completed.
E.G. He has just finished school.
- to describe an action which began in the past and is still continuing at the present moment.
E.G. I’ve lived in Athens for six years.
EXERCISE 2
Write sentences using either simple past or present perfect:
e.g. She/not stay until the end of the party. She didn’t stay until the end of the party.
1. I/read that book when I was 10 years old.
_______________________________________
2. you/ever eat/seaweed?
_______________________________________
3. They/want to buy a new house since 1970.
_______________________________________
4. I/not/cook dinner yet, but I/make the salad.
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5. they/enjoy their trip to Scotland?
_______________________________________
EXERCISE 3 | Position of adverbs
Rewrite these sentences, putting the adverbs given in parentheses in the correct place:
1. I have seen your mother in the square. (JUST)_____________________
2. Have you met each other? (BEFORE) ___________________________
3. They have loved Greek food, (ALWAYS) _________________________
4. George has been good at maths. (NEVER) ________________________
5. Has he played In a rock band? (EVER)____________________________