English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 7: Present perfect 1 (I have done)

Study this example situation:

Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it.
He has lost his key.

He has lost his key = He lost it recently, and he still doesn't have it.

Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:

I/we/they/youhave (= I've etc.)finished
lost
done
been etc.
he/she/ithas (= he's etc.)

The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost/done/written etc.).

For a list of irregular verbs, see Appendix 1.

When we say that 'something has happened', this is usually new information:
  • Owl I've cut my finger.
  • The road is closed. There's been (there has been) an accident.
  • (from the news) Police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:
  • 'Where's your key?'  'I don't know. I've lost it.'  (=I don't have it now)
  • He told me his name, but I've forgotten it.  (= I can't remember it now)
  • 'Is Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.'  (= she is out now)
  • I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (= Do you know where it is now?)

Note the difference between gone (to) and been (to):
  • James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there)
  • Jane is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)

You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

Just = a short time ago:
  • 'Are you hungry?' 'No, I've just had lunch.'
  • Hello. Have you just arrived?

We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected:
  • 'Don't forget to pay your electricity bill.' 'I've already paid it.'
  • 'What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already left.'

Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:
  • Has it stopped raining yet?
  • I've written the email, but I haven't sent it yet.

You can also use the past simple (did, went, had etc.) in the examples on this page. So you can say:
  • 'Is Sally here?'  'No, she went out.' or  'No, she's gone out.'
  • 'Are you hungry?'  'No, I just had lunch.'  or  'No, I've just had lunch.'

7.1 Read the situations and write sentences. Use the following verbs in the present perfect:

  • arrive
  • break
  • fall
  • go up
  • grow
  • Improve
  • lose
  1. Tom is looking for his key. He can't find it.
    Tom .
  2. Lisa can't walk and her leg is in plaster.
    Lisa __________ .
  3. Last week the bus fare was £1 .80. Now it is £2.
    The bus fare __________ .
  4. Maria's English wasn't very good. Now it is better.
    Her English __________ .
  5. Dan didn't have a beard before. Now he has a beard.
    Dan __________ .
  6. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it.
    The letter __________ .
  7. The temperature was 20 degrees. Now it is only 12.
    The __________ .

7.2 Put in been or gone.

  1. James is on holiday. He's to Italy.
  2. Hello! I've just __________ to the shops. I've bought lots of things.
  3. A lice isn't here at the moment. She's __________ to the shop to get a newspaper.
  4. Tom has __________ out. He'll be back in about an hour.
  5. 'Are you going to the bank?'  'No, I've already __________ to the bank.'

7.3 Complete B's sentences. Make sentences from the words in brackets.

  1. A: Would you like something to eat?
    B: No, thanks. .
    (I / just / have / lunch)
  2. A: Do you know where Julia is?
    B: Yes, __________ .
    (I / just / see / her)
  3. A: What time is David leaving?
    B: __________ .
    (he / already / leave)
  4. A: What's in the newspaper today?
    B: I don't know. __________ .
    (I / not / read / it yet)
  5. A: Is Sue coming to the cinema with us?
    B: No, __________ .
    (she / already / see / the film)
  6. A: Are your friends here yet?
    B: Yes, __________ .
    (they / just / arrive)
  7. A: What does Tim think about your plan?
    B: __________ .
    (we / not / tell / him yet)

7.4 Read the situations and write sentences with just, already or yet.

  1. After lunch you go to see a friend at her house. She says, 'Would you like something to eat?'
    You say: No thank you. . (have lunch)
  2. Joe goes out. Five minutes later, the phone rings and the caller says, 'Can I speak to Joe?'
    You say: I'm afraid __________ . (go out)
  3. You are eating in a restaurant. The waiter thinks you have finished and starts to take your plate away.
    You say: Wait a minute! __________ . (not / finish)
  4. You plan to eat at a restaurant tonight. You phoned to reserve a table. Later your friend says, 'Shall I phone to reserve a table?'
    You say: No, __________ . (do it)
  5. You know that a friend of yours is looking for a place t o live. Perhaps she has been successful. Ask her.
    You say: __________ ? (find)
  6. You are still thinking about where to go for your holiday. A friend asks, 'Where are you going for your holiday?'
    You say: __________ . (not / decide)
  7. Linda went shopping, but a few minutes ago she returned. Somebody asks, 'Is Linda still out shopping?'
    You say: No, __________ . (come back)

Answer Key
Favorite Books
English Grammar Tests

PART A: 14 Elementary tests, 14 Pre-Intermediate tests, 8 Intermediate tests. Each test is specified on different grammar topics. PART B: 14 tests including Elementary, Pre-intermediate, Intermediate and Upper intermediate level grammar tests. Every test is focused on a different grammar topic. (2452 questions) PART C: 16 Multi-level grammar tests. Each test is specified on a different grammar topic. (1418 questions) PART D: 20 perfect multi-level grammar tests for assessment. (2000 questions) PART E: 6 Elementary, 5 Intermediate, 3 Advanced grammar tests. The formats of the tests are similar and the level gradually increases. (1400 questions)

Read more
Table of Contents