|
HAVE /
HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE |
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You use the present perfect tense when you want to show a relationship between
past time and present time.
Let us check how the present perfect is used: |
|
A. to talk about an action which started in the past and
is still continuing: |
|
As I've waited ten years, I can wait another ten minutes. |
|
B. to talk about a very recent past action, for which no
definite time reference is given: |
|
You've
only just arrived. |
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C. to talk about an action which is part of a
person's
experience, and for which no definite time reference
is given: |
|
Have you ever
seen 'Neighbours'
on channel 24? |
|
D. to talk about a past action which has had a result
which can be seen in the present: |
|
How thin you've grown
!! |
|
E. to show that one action must be completed
before
another can happen: |
|
I'll show the
room you
after you've had
something to eat. |
|
TIME
ADVERBIALS |
|
You often use the present perfect with some
adverbs of time, also called "time adverbials".
Let us check below which ones you usually use: |
|
With use A (explained
above) of the present perfect you are likely to use: |
|
all my life
/ for two hours /
since 1945
so far /
for over 40 years |
|
With use B (explained
above) you are likely to use: |
|
already
/ just
/ lately
/ recently
/ yet |
|
With use C (explained
above) you are likely to use: |
|
ever
/ never |
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THREE POINTS
TO REMEMBER |
|
Although you will be able to practise
these three points in Units 8, 11 and 13 of this FCE course,
it is important to mention them in this grammar. |
|
1) Ago, last week and yesterday refer to a specific time in the past, and are
therefore used with the past simple tense. |
|
2) Next week is likely to be used with a future
tense. |
|
3) Now is likely to be used with the present simple or the
present progressive. |
