Ampersand Lab

Intermediate grammar · Lesson 8 · B1

Present perfect 2 (I have done)

The present perfect covers a stretch of time running from the past up to now: a life so far, recently, so far, since, today, this year. It is also the tense after It's the first time ... .

Start the lesson

12Steps · about 21 minutes

In this lesson

A period that continues until nowA1 screen of questions
recently, so far, since ..., today, this yearB1 screen of questions
It's the first time something has happenedC2 screens of questions
Put it together+3 screens of mixed questions

Point A of 3

A period that continues until now

Study this conversation:

Speaker
Ellie Have you seen many bands live, Raj?
Raj Yes, I've seen loads.
Ellie Have you ever seen the Arctic Monkeys?
Raj Yes, I've seen them twice.
Ellie What about Coldplay?
Raj No, I haven't seen Coldplay.

They are talking about Raj's life, which is a period that continues from the past until now. For a period like this, use the present perfect (have seen, have been, have travelled).

been (to) means visited.

  • Have you ever eaten black pudding?
  • We've never had a dishwasher.
  • I don't know how it ends. I haven't finished it.
  • My mum loves that film. She's seen it five times. (She's = She has)
  • It's a terrible album. It's the worst album I've ever heard.
  • I've never been to Belfast. Have you been there?

Point A · Exercise 8.1

You ask people about things they have done. Write questions with ever.

  1. Example

    (climb / mountain?)

    Have you ever climbed a mountain?

    AnswerHave you ever climbed a mountain?

  2. (be / Scotland?)

  3. (swim / in the sea?)

  4. (meet / famous person?)

  5. What's ... (best meal / eat?)

Point B of 3

recently, so far, since ..., today, this year

Words for a period that is still running up to now go the same way: so far, since I arrived, recently, over the last few days and so on.

today, this morning, this week, this year take the present perfect while the period is still going on as you speak.

  • Have you spoken to your sister recently?
  • I've had three job interviews in the last few days.
  • The new system is working well. There haven't been any complaints so far.
  • The weather here is awful. It's (= It has) rained every day since we arrived.
  • It's lovely to see you. We haven't seen each other for ages.
  • I've eaten far too many biscuits today.
  • Have you been on holiday this year?
  • I haven't seen Kate this morning. Have you?

Point B · Exercise 8.3

Write four sentences about yourself. Use I haven't, an activity and a time expression. Activities: had a takeaway, been on a train, done any exercise, watched the news, read a newspaper, bought any clothes. Time expressions: today, this week, recently, for ages, since ..., this year.

  1. Example

    Example

    I haven't had a takeaway this week.

    Example answerI haven't had a takeaway this week.

  2. Sentence 1 about yourself.

  3. Sentence 2 about yourself.

  4. Sentence 3 about yourself.

  5. Sentence 4 about yourself.

Point C of 3

It's the first time something has happened

After It's the first time (or the second time, the third time), use the present perfect, not the present simple.

Megan is having her first swimming lesson. We can say:

It's the first time she has swum in a pool. (not swims) or She hasn't swum in a pool before. or She has never swum in a pool before.

  • It's the first time she's swum in a pool. (not It's the first time she swims)
  • Lee has left his keys in the door again. This is the second time it has happened. (not happens)
  • Dad is ringing the gas company again. It's the fourth time he's rung them today.

Point C · Exercise 8.4 · part 1 of 2

Read the situations and complete the sentences, using the words in brackets.

  1. Example

    Amira is riding a bike for the first time. She is wobbling all over the path. (It's the first time ...)

    It's the first time she's ridden a bike.

    AnswerIt's the first time she's ridden a bike.

  2. Some children on a school trip are looking at the sea. They have never seen it before. (It's the first time ...)

  3. Gary is trying to cook a meal. He has no idea which pan to use. (He ... before.)

  4. Lily and Sam are in Rome. They visited Rome once, years ago. (This is the second time ...)

  5. Kemal is having dinner at the Golden Dragon. He ate there last month too. (It's not the first time ...)

Point C · Exercise 8.4 · part 2 of 2

Read the situations and complete the sentences, using the words in brackets.

  1. Beth is skiing for the first time. She is a complete beginner. (She ... before.)

Put it together · Exercise 8.2 · part 1 of 3

Complete B's answers. Some are positive and some are negative. Use these verbs.

Use these

bebeeathappenhavehavemeetplayreadseetry

  1. Example

    A: What's Ian's new girlfriend like? B: Couldn't tell you. I haven't met her yet.

    AnswerWhat's Ian's new girlfriend like? Couldn't tell you. I haven't met her yet.

  2. Example

    A: How's the new flat? B: Great. Nothing has gone wrong so far.

    AnswerHow's the new flat? Great. Nothing has gone wrong so far.

  3. A: Are you starving? B: Yes. I anything since breakfast.

  4. A: Can you play the piano? B: I used to, but I for years.

  5. A: Are you enjoying the festival? B: Yes, it's the most fun I for years.

  6. A: Is that new crime novel any good? B: I don't know. I it.

Put it together · Exercise 8.2 · part 2 of 3

Complete B's answers. Some are positive and some are negative. Use these verbs.

Use these

bebeeathappenhavehavemeetplayreadseetry

  1. A: Is Aberdeen a nice city? B: No idea. I there.

  2. A: I hear your boiler broke down again. B: Yes, it's the third time it this winter.

  3. A: Do you like octopus? B: I don't know. I it.

  4. A: The bus was late again this morning. B: Again? It late every day this week.

Put it together · Exercise 8.2 · part 3 of 3

Complete B's answers. Some are positive and some are negative. Use these verbs.

Use these

bebeeathappenhavehavemeetplayreadseetry

  1. A: Who's that man with the dog? B: No idea. I him before.

Lesson 8 · Result

How you did

Next lesson: Present perfect continuous (I have been doing)Back to the course

–Right

Each point

A. A period that continues until now–Not checkedB. recently, so far, since ..., today, this year–Not checkedC. It's the first time something has happened–Not checkedPut it together–Not checked