English Grammar in Use With Answers » Unit 8: Present perfect 2 (I have done)

Study this example conversation:

DAVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?
JANE: Yes, I've been to lots of places.
DAVE: Really? Have you ever been to China?
JANE: Yes, I've been to China twice.
DAVE: What about India?
JANE: No, I haven't been to India.

When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been / have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life, which is a period that continues until now.

Some more examples:
  • Have you ever eaten caviar?
  • We've never had a car.
  • 'Have you read Hamlet?'  'No, I haven't read any of Shakespeare's plays.'
  • Susan really loves that film. She's seen it eight times!
  • What a boring film! It's the most boring film I've ever seen.

Been (to)= visited:
  • I've never been to China. Have you been there?

In the following examples too, the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently / in the last few days / so far / since breakfast etc.):

  • Have you heard anything from Brian recently?
  • I've met a lot of people in the last few days.
  • Everything is going well. We haven't had any problems so far.
  • I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast. (= from breakfast until now)
  • It's good to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

In the same way we use the present perfect with today / this evening / this year etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking (see also Unit 14B):

  • I've drunk four cups of coffee today.
  • Have you had a holiday this year?
  • I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?
  • Rob hasn't worked very hard this term.

We say: It's the (first) time something has happened. For example:

  • Don is having a driving lesson. It's his first one.
    It's the first time he has driven a car. (not drives)
    or He has never driven a car before.
  • Sarah has lost her passport again. This is the second time this has happened. (not happens)
  • Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

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

  1. (ride / horse?) ?
  2. (be / California?) Have __________ ?
  3. (run / marathon?) __________ ?
  4. (speak / famous person?) __________ ?
  5. (most beautiful place / visit?) What's __________ ?

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

  • be
  • be
  • eat
  • happen
  • have
  • have
  • meet
  • play
  • read
  • see
  • try
  1. A: What's Mark's sister like?
    B: I've no idea. her.
  2. A: Is everything going well?
    B: Yes, we any problems so far.
  3. A: Are you hungry?
    B: Yes. I __________ much today.
  4. A: Can you play chess?
    B: Yes, but __________ for ages.
  5. A: Are you enjoying your holiday?
    B: Yes, it's the best holiday __________ for a long time.
  6. A: What's that book like?
    B: I don't know. __________ it.
  7. A: Is Brussels an interesting place?
    B: I've no idea. __________ there.
  8. A: I hear your car broke down again yesterday.
    B: Yes, it's the second time __________ this month.
  9. A: Do you like caviar?
    B: I don't know. __________ it.
  10. A: Mike was late for work again today.
    B: Again? He __________ late every day this week.
  11. A: Who's that woman by the door?
    B: I don't know. __________ her before.

8.3 Write four sentences about yourself. Use I haven't and choose from the boxes.

  • used a computer
  • travelled by bus
  • eaten any fruit
  • been to the cinema
  • read a book
  • lost anything
  • today
  • this week
  • recently
  • for ages
  • since...
  • this year
  1. .
  2. __________
  3. __________
  4. __________
  5. __________

8.4 Read the situations and write sentences as shown in the example.

  1. jack is driving a car, but he's very nervous and not sure what to do.
    You ask: ?
    He says: .
  2. Ben is playing t ennis. He's not good at it and he doesn't know the rules.
    You ask: Have __________ ?
    He says: No, this is the first __________ .
  3. Sue is riding a horse. She doesn't look very confident or comfortable.
    You ask: __________ ?
    She says: __________ .
  4. Maria is in Japan. She has just arrived and it's very new for her.
    You ask: __________ ?
    She says: __________ .

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