| I've (have) eaten. |
I haven't |
We've (have) eaten. |
We haven't |
| He's (has) eaten. |
He hasn't |
You've (have) eaten. |
You haven't |
| She's (has) eaten. |
She hasn't |
They've (have) eaten. |
They haven't |
| It's (has) eaten. |
It hasn't eaten. |
Expressing an Indefinite Past Event
The Present Perfect is used to express indefinite past events
that
are in some way connected to the present at the time of speaking. Time expressions are not
usually used in the sentence.
I've seen this movie. He's been to Spain.
We've already had breakfast.
Expressing an Event Which Hasn't
Happened 'Yet'
The Present Perfect is used to express an event which
hasn't happend 'yet', but the speaker feels or believes will probably
happen in the future. The word 'yet' indicates that this is so.
They haven't called me yet. She hasn't finished the report yet.
Expressing an Event Which Hasn't Happened
in
Some Time
The Present Perfect is used to express events which haven't
happened in some time. The prepositions for and since are
generally used.
I haven't seen my parents since last year.
We haven't
talked to Bill for two weeks.
Expressing an Event Which is Incomplete
The Present Perfect is used to express events the speaker
believes are incomplete.
I've been married for ten years.
He's lived in London since
January.
Expressing an Event Which Has Just Happened
The Present Perfect is used to express events that occur just
before the time of speaking. The result of the past action is
somehow connected to the present.
I've broken my arm! Susan has had an accident!
We've won!
Short Answers
| Have I finished? |
Yes, I have. |
No, I haven't. |
| Has he finished? |
Yes, he has. |
No, he hasn't. |
| Has she finished? |
Yes, she has. |
No, she hasn't. |
| Has it finished? |
Yes, it has. |
No, it hasn't. |
| Have we finished? |
Yes, we have. |
No, we haven't. |
| Have you finished? |
Yes, you have. |
No, you haven't. |
| Have they finished? |
Yes, they have. |
No, they haven't. |
Practice Dialogs
Practice the dialogs with a friend. Try to use the
different
expressions.
 |
1. (oysters / clams / squid) |
A: Have you ever eaten oysters?
B: No, I haven't. But I've eaten shrimp.
A: Really?
B: Yes. I went to a seafood restaurant once in Italy.
I had shrimp
there.
|
|
2. (report / essay) |
A: Have you finished your report
yet?
B: No, I haven't. But I'm going to finish it today.
|
|
3. (telephone dialog) |
A: Hello?
B: Hello, Sue? This is Phil.
A: Hi! Where are you?
B: I'm at work. I haven't left yet.
A: When will you leave?
B: In about five minutes.
I just wanted to tell you I'll be a
little late.
A: No problem.
B: OK. Bye.
A: Bye.
|
|
4. (math / history / physics) |
A: Have you taken your math exam
yet?
B: No, I haven't. But I have to take it next week.
|
|
5. (Mark Smith / Reggie Arnold) |
A: Do you know Mark Smith?
B: Yes, I do. We met a long time ago.
A: Oh, really? How long have you known him?
B: Since 1978. We went to college together.
When did you meet him?
A: I met him yesterday.
He started with our firm last week.
B: Really? I haven't seen him for three years!
Which office is he
in?
A: He's in Mr. Drake's office on the fifth floor.
|
|
6. (telephone dialog) |
A: Hello?
B: Hello, Bob? This is Al.
A: Hi.
B: What are you doing?
A: I'm painting my kitchen.
B: Really?
A: Yeah. I've been painting it since morning.
B: Do you still want to go to the movies today?
A: I don't know. I haven't finished painting yet.
I'll probably
finish in an hour.
Call me back and I'll let you know.
B: OK. I'll call back.
A: OK. Bye.
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