Unit 4. The present perfect and the present perfect continuous. Their contrast to the past simple

4.1. Put each verb into the present perfect.

1. What’s the matter? (you cut) yourself?

2. I (have) a headache ever since lunchtime.

3. Jessica (never see) any Chinese films.

4. Someone (steal) Mr Grant’s bike.

5. The passengers are tired because they (not sleep) all night.

6. I’m afraid we (just break) your window. Sorry!

7. David (not win) a prize this time, I’m afraid.

8. (you ever eat) Spanish food? It’s great!

9. We (be) married for twenty-five wonderful years!

10. I (be) on holiday to Australia.

11. I (already write) twenty-three letters.

12. I (never eat) a snail before!

13. I (love) you since the day we met.

14. Oh no! I (break) my pencil again!

 

4.2. Complete each sentence with a time expression from the box.

yet for since often ever never already so far just always

1. Luis has lived in the city centre …………… 1996.

2. Thanks for the present! I’ve …………… wanted a pet goldfish!

3. Have you …………… drunk pineapple juice? It’s fantastic!

4. I’ve …………… heard some fantastic news! I’ve passed my exams!

5. Hurry up! Haven’t you finished ……………? You’re so slow! 

6. Nina has worked in this company …………… five years.

7. I’ve …………… been on such a big ship before. It’s an interesting experience!

8. We’re very busy today. …………… we’ve sold over a hundred bikes.

9. I’ve …………… passed this building, but this is the first time I’ve been inside.

10. Can I have a different book? I’ve …………… read this one.

 

4.3. For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using no more than three words.

1. We started working here three years ago.

We ………………………………………………………………. for three years.

2. This is the first time I’ve been on a plane.

I ………………………………………………………………. on a plane before.

3. That’s strange! My pen isn’t here!

That’s strange! ……………………………………………………... disappeared!

4. Nicky and Jan aren’t at this school any more.

Nicky and Jan ……………………………………………………….. this school.

5. I saw a friend of yours a few moments ago.

I ……………………………………………………………….. a friend of yours.

6. I’m still writing my letters.

I ………………………………………………………….. writing my letters yet.

7. Is this your first visit to South America?

Have …………………………………………………. to South America before?

8. Oh no! My wallet is still in the car!

Oh no! I ……………………………………………………. my wallet in the car. 

9. It’s a long time since we spoke to your sister.

We ………………………………………………... to your sister for a long time.

10.Is Anna still asleep?

Has ………………………………………………………………………. up yet?

4.4. Complete the following sentences using the present perfect continuous of the verbs below.

live        play        study        wait        walk        watch        work

1. We … in England for nearly two years now.

2. Why are you so late? I … here for hours.

3. I … German for three years, but I still don’t speak it very well.

4. The boys must be tired. They … football in the garden all afternoon.

5. It’s time to do your homework. You … television all night.

6. Paul … in his father’s business since he left school.

7. We must be nearly there by now. We … for over an hour.

4.5. Put each verb in brackets into either the present perfect or the present perfect continuous.

1. Someone (eat) all the cakes. I’ll have to buy some more.

2. What (you buy) your sister for her birthday?

3. My throat is really sore. I (sing) all evening.  

4. Brenda (learn) Russian, but she finds it difficult.

5. How many people (you invite) to your party?

6. Those two cats (sit) on that branch for the last hour.

7. It (rain) all day! Why can’t it stop?

8. Diana (wear) twelve different dresses in the past week!

9. I (do) everything you asked. What should I do now?

10. Graham and Pauline (try) to find a house for ages, but they can’t find one they can afford.

4.6. Complete each mini-dialogue by putting the verbs given in brackets into either the present perfect or present perfect continuous.

1. A: Terminator 2 is on at the Rex? (you see) it? – B: No, not yet. Shall we go? I (look forward) to seeing it for ages.

2. A: What’s the matter? You look really tired! – B: I am! I (study) all day, and I (not finish) yet. – A: Oh well, time for a break.

3. A: I (phone) Carol all day, but there’s no reply. – B: I expect she (go) swimming with her friends.

4. A: (you hear) the news? – B: What news? – A: Someone (rob) the bank at the end of the road.

5. A: Why is your leg in plaster? – B: That’s a silly question! I (break) it, of course. – A: Someone (write) ‘Break Time’ on the plaster!

4.7. For each question, complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using no more than three words.

1. I came to live here three months ago.

I ………………………………………………………….. here for three months.  

2. Sophie is out at the shops at the moment.

Sophie ……………………………………………………………… to the shops.

3. I’ve had French lessons since March.

I ……………………………………………………………. French since March.

4. I’m still reading this book.

I …………………………………………………………... reading this book yet.

5. Paul left the room a moment ago.

Paul has ……………………………………………………………….. the room.

6. It’s ages since I last went to the cinema.

I …………………………………………………………. to the cinema for ages.

7. This is the first time I’ve eaten snails.

I …………………………………………………………………… snails before.

8. I don’t remember Helen’s phone number.

I’ve ……………………………………………………... Helen’s phone number.

4.8. Complete the following sentences, putting one verb in the present perfect and one in the past simple.

1. We (live) in Manchester from 1995 to 2003, but we (move) to Liverpool now.

2. A: There’s a great film at the Odeon this week. (you see) it? – B: Not this week. I (see) it in London last year.

3. When we were kids, we (go) to Blackpool for our holidays, but I (not be) back there for years.  

4. A: This is Mary. I don’t think you (meet). – B: Oh yes. We know each other well. We (be) at school together.

5. A: I (try) to phone John, but he’s not at home. – B: He should be. He (leave) work an hour ago.

4.9. Choose the most suitable verb form in each sentence.

1. I live / I’ve lived here since the end of last year.

2. I’m afraid the last train left / has left anhour ago.

3. Someone has just stolen / has just been stealing my bicycle.

4. Thank you for your offer, but I decided / I’ve decided not to accept.

5. Yesterday I lost / I’ve lost my wallet.

6. Take your umbrella with you. It started / It’s started raining.

7. We’re enjoying our trip. We visited / We’ve visited two countries so far.

8. I’m standing / I’ve been standing here for hours and I feel tired.  

9. This was / has been a busy day and it isn’t over yet!

10. I feel worn out. We went / We’ve been to a party last night.

11. Did you see / Have you seen my bag anywhere? I can’t find it.

12. Larry is writing / has been writing / has written his novel for the last two years.

13. From the minute he got up this morning Gary asked / has asked / has been asking silly questions!

14. Have you given / Did you give Helen my message when you have seen / saw her?

15. Sorry, could you say that again? I didn’t listen / haven’t listened / haven’t been listening to you.

16. The police think that they found / have found your wallet, so call this number.

17. Did you two meet / Have you two met before? Eric, this is Amanda.

18. Did you meet / Have you met anyone interesting at the reception?

4.10. Put each verb in brackets into a suitable verb form.

1. I’m sorry about not coming last week. I (have) a cold and so I (stay) at home.

2. Wait a minute! I (have) an idea. Let’s go and see Roger. We last (see) him a long time ago.

3. It’s nice to be back here in London. This is the second time I (come) here.

4. I’m phoning about your bicycle for sale, which I (see) in the local paper. (you sell) it? Or is it still available?

5. This place is in a terrible mess! What on earth (you do)?

6. And now for an item of local news. Hampshire police (find) the dangerous snake which (go) missing earlier in the week.

7. This tooth (kill) me lately! So I (make) an appointment with the dentist for next Tuesday.

8. I can’t give you the report I (promise) for today because I (not finish) it.

4.11. Put each verb in brackets into either the past simple, the present perfect, or the present perfect continuous.

It was announced in London this morning that the British Oil Corporation -1- (discover) oil under the sea near the Welsh coast. The company, which -2- (drill) for oil in the area since 2001, -3- (find) small amounts of oil near Swansea last month, and since then -4- (discover) larger amounts under the seabed nearby. Last year the government -5- (lend) over £50,000,000 to BOC, and -6- (give) permission for the company to build an oil refinery and other facilities in South Wales.

The reaction of local people to today’s news -7- (be) mixed so far. Local MPs
-8- (already welcome) the news, pointing out that the oil industry will bring badly needed jobs to the area. But local residents are worried about the danger of pollution. ‘Nobody -9- (ask) us yet what we want,’ said Ann Griffiths, leader of the Keep Out The Oil Campaign. ‘Look what -10- (happen) when they -11- (find) oil in Scotland in the 1960s. The oil companies -12- (get) rich, not the local people. BOC -13- (not tell) us the truth about what this is going to mean for our people.’ A BOC spokesman later -14- (refuse) to comment. Meanwhile local campaigners -15- (ask) the government to hold an inquiry.

4.12. Find the errors in these sentences and correct them.

1. My penfriend is writing to me for years.

2. We have started this course three weeks ago.

3. ‘What have you been doing all day?’ – ‘I’ve been written letters.’

4. When have you arrived in this city?

5. You have ever been to India?

6. Paula has been stayed in a hotel by the sea.

7. I’ve been feeling ill three weeks ago.

8. I live in this city since I was born.

9. I wait here for ages. Where have you been?

10. Tony has leaved his books on the bus.

4.13. Choose the most suitable time expression.

1. I haven’t seen Gerry for / since a long time. How is he?

2. It’s ages ago / since I last went to a football match.

3. I’ve written to Deborah last week / recently.

4. What have you been doing today / yesterday?

5. Have you eaten Italian food before / already?

6. I’ve been living here in / since the end of last year.

7. Actually I had dinner with Sue last night / lately.

8. I’ve been trying to get in touch with David for ages / for the last time.
9. Terry hasn’t been to Edinburgh since / when we went there together.

10. I can’t remember how long / when I’ve had this watch.

4.14. Complete each sentence with one suitable word.

We’ve had a very interesting trip (a)……… far, and we’ve had some interesting adventures (b)……… the last time we wrote. We’ve (c)……… to some beautiful islands, and (d)……… a lot of interesting people. In fact (e)……… we’ve made friends with some people in a village, and they’ve been (f)……… us the local language. I haven’t managed to learn much (g)………, but Ann (h)……… picked up quite a lot, and can speak well. She’s been (i)……… every day, and she’s (j)……… me everything she knows!

 

4.15. Complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence, using the word given. Do not change the word given. Use between two and five words, including the word given.

1. Steve started learning the violin a month ago.

Learning

Steve …………………………………………………….. the violin for a month.

2. I haven’t been to an Indian restaurant for ages.

Since

It’s ages ……………………………………………………. an Indian restaurant.

3. When she heard the results, Mary began to feel more confident.

Become

Since hearing the results ………………………………………... more confident.

4. The last time Nancy came here was in 1997.

Since

Nancy hasn’t ………………………………………………………………. 1997.

5. This is my first visit to Japan.

Time

This is the first …………………………………………………………. to Japan.

6. How long have Helen and Robert been married?

Get

When …………………………………………………………………... married?

7. Jack bought those trousers last month, and has been wearing them ever since.

For

Jack has ………………………………………………………………… a month.

8. It’s a long time since our last conversation.

Spoken

We ……………………………………………………………………. long time.

9. Thanks, but I had something to eat earlier.

Already

Thanks, but I’ve ……………………………………………………………... eat.

10. This is my first game of water-polo.

Played

I …………………………………………………………………………... before.

4.16. Look carefully at each line. Some of the lines are correct, and some have a word which should not be there. Tick (√) each correct line. If a line has a word which should not be there, write the word in the space.

A letter from the builders Dear Mrs Sangster, Just a quick note to explain what we have been done so far this month. The work on the kitchen has gone well so far, although we haven’t already finished knocking down the outside wall yet. So I wrote to you last week and have explained that two of my workmen were ill. They have quite recovered now, I am glad to say, and they have came back to work yesterday. As the weather has been bad we have been work inside most of the time, and all the painting is now been finished. We have also put in a new window in the kitchen, as you have instructed in your last letter. As you have not been visiting here for two weeks we have not had the chance to discuss the walls.	been √ 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) 9) 10) 11) 12)
When we checked them we have discovered	13)
that they are in a dangerous condition. I’ll	14)
let you know what we have do to them.	15)
Best wishes,
Andrew Turner, Builder

4.17. PAST PARTICIPLES