Ampersand Lab

Foundation grammar · Lesson 17 · A2

Have you ever ... ? (present perfect 3)

Use the present perfect, often with ever and never, to talk about experiences in a period from the past until now, such as a person's life. The unit also separates gone (still there) from been (there and back).

Start the lesson

13Steps · about 23 minutes

In this lesson

A time from the past until nowA2 screens of questions
ever and neverB4 screens of questions
gone and beenC2 screens of questions

Point A of 3

A time from the past until now

Josh: Have you been to Rome? Amara: Yes, I have. Several times. Josh: Have you ever been to Peru? Amara: No, I've never been to Peru.

The present perfect (have been / have had / have played etc.) covers a stretch of time that starts in the past and runs up to now, such as someone's whole life so far.

past ... time from the past until now ... now
Have you ever been to Peru?
  • "Have you been to Italy?" (in your life) "No, I haven't."
  • We've been to Belgium, but we haven't been to Holland.
  • My uncle is an interesting man. He has had lots of different jobs and has lived in four countries.
  • I've met that man before, but I can't remember his name.
  • How many times have Wales won the Six Nations?
  • "Have you seen this film?" "Yes, I've seen it three times."

Point A · Exercise 17.3 · part 1 of 2

Dorothy is 74 years old, and she has had a busy life. What has she done? Write a sentence with the present perfect for each pair of words.

  1. Example

    (have / a lot of pets)

    She has had a lot of pets.

    AnswerShe has had a lot of pets.

  2. (live / in five different countries)

  3. (climb / Ben Nevis twice)

  4. (visit / most of the castles in Wales)

  5. (write / a book about birds)

Point A · Exercise 17.3 · part 2 of 2

Dorothy is 74 years old, and she has had a busy life. What has she done? Write a sentence with the present perfect for each pair of words.

  1. (meet / the King)

Point B of 3

ever and never

Use ever in questions: Have you ever ...? means at any time in your life.

Use never in positive sentences with a negative meaning: I've never ... means at no time in my life. Do not add not: I've never already does the job.

once = one time. twice = two times.

  • "Has Kirsty ever been to Canada?" "Yes, once."
  • "Have you ever played darts?" "Yes, I play every Friday."
  • My grandad has never been on a plane.
  • I've never ridden a motorbike.
  • "Who's that woman?" "No idea. I've never seen her before."

Point B · Exercise 17.1 · part 1 of 2

You are asking Rosa questions beginning Have you ever ...? Her answers are given. Write the questions.

  1. Example

    (Edinburgh?) Rosa: No, never.

    Have you ever been to Edinburgh?

    AnswerHave you ever been to Edinburgh? No, never.

  2. Example

    (play / cricket?) Rosa: Yes, many times.

    Have you ever played cricket?

    AnswerHave you ever played cricket? Yes, many times.

  3. (Ireland?) Rosa: No, never.

  4. (miss / a flight?) Rosa: Yes, once.

  5. (ride / a camel?) Rosa: No, never.

  6. (eat / sushi?) Rosa: Yes, a few times.

Point B · Exercise 17.1 · part 2 of 2

You are asking Rosa questions beginning Have you ever ...? Her answers are given. Write the questions.

  1. (London?) Rosa: Yes, twice.

  2. (drive / a lorry?) Rosa: No, never.

  3. (break / your arm?) Rosa: Yes, once.

Point B · Exercise 17.2 · part 1 of 2

Write sentences about Rosa, using her answers in Exercise 17.1. Then, from number 5, write about yourself: how often have you done these things?

  1. Example

    (London) Rosa ...

    Rosa has been to London twice.

    AnswerRosa has been to London twice.

  2. (Ireland) Rosa ...

  3. (sushi) Rosa ...

  4. (drive / a lorry) Rosa ...

  5. (London) I ...

Point B · Exercise 17.2 · part 2 of 2

Write sentences about Rosa, using her answers in Exercise 17.1. Then, from number 5, write about yourself: how often have you done these things?

  1. (play / cricket) I ...

  2. (ride / a camel) I ...

  3. (be / late for work or school) I ...

Point C of 3

gone and been

Fiona asks: "Where's Rob?" Her friend says: "He's away. He's gone to Spain."

Two weeks later Rob is back. He says: "Hi, Fiona. I've been on holiday. I've been to Spain."

meaning
Rob has gone to Spain. He is in Spain now.
Rob has been to Spain. He went to Spain, and now he is back.
  • I can't find Tom. Where has he gone? (= where is he now?)
  • Oh, there you are, Tom! Where have you been? (= you went somewhere, and now you are back)

Point C · Exercise 17.4 · part 1 of 2

Put in gone or been.

Use these

gonebeen

  1. Example

    Sanjay is in Portugal at the moment. He's gone there for a wedding.

    AnswerSanjay is in Portugal at the moment. He's gone there for a wedding.

  2. "Where's Chloe?" "She isn't here. I think she's to the post office."

  3. Hi, Mark! Where have you ? Have you to the gym?

  4. "Have you ever to Iceland?" "No, never."

  5. The neighbours are away this week. They've camping.

Point C · Exercise 17.4 · part 2 of 2

Put in gone or been.

Use these

gonebeen

  1. There's a new Thai restaurant on the high street. Have you to it?

  2. Liam knows Cardiff well. He's there lots of times.

  3. Amy was here a minute ago, but I think she's home now.

Lesson 17 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: How long have you ... ? (present perfect 4)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. A time from the past until now–Not checkedB. ever and never–Not checkedC. gone and been–Not checked