Compare:  I lived in Rome. (but not anymore)  I’ve lived in Rome, Paris and New York. (and I know all these cities now)

Compare:  She ’s been married three times. (she is still alive)  She was married three times. (she is dead now)  It rained yesterday. (it’s sunny today)  It has snowed. (we can see the snow)

the link between the past and the present PAST PRESENT FUTURE

PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST SIMPLE? PAST SIMPLEPRESENT PERFECT PAST ACTIONS The new mall opened last week. The car broke down yesterday. ACTIONS LINKED TO THE PRESENT The new mall has just opened. (it’s open now) The car has broken down. (it cannot drive) PAST STATES I had that car for two years. (I sold it.) I was there earlier. (I’m home now.) STATES THAT STILL EXIST I have had this car for two years. (I still do.) I’ve been there since the morning. (I still am.) REPEATED ACTIONS THAT ARE OVER John Wayne acted in more than 50 films. (His career is over now.) Shakespeare wrote hundreds of sonnets. (He’s dead now.) REPEATED ACTIONS THAT CAN HAPPEN AGAIN Jim Carrey has acted in more than 15 films. (He will continue making new films.) JK Rowling has written ten books so far. (She is still alive and still writes.)

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE positivenegative I You We They have + past participlehave + not + past participle (haven’t + past participle) He She It has + past participlehas + not + past participle (hasn’t + past participle) questionsshort answers have + I / you / we / they + past participleYes, I have. No, we haven’t. has + he/ she / it + past participleYes, he has. No, she hasn’t.

PRESENT PERFECT PASSIVE present perfect simple passive have / has been + past participle This book has been printed in France. They have been ordered a fine. All the work has been finished in time.

Use: 1. UNFINISHED PAST – action began in the past and continues to the present (and possibly to the future as well) e.g. We’ve lived in this house for twenty years. Sorry I’m late. Have you waited for long? I’ve been a teacher for five years. I’ve worked at the same school all that time.

2. PRESENT RESULT – action happened in the past, usually recent past, and its results are felt now e.g. You’ve changed. What have you done? I’ve lost some weight. I’ve been on a diet.

3. INDEFINITE PAST – action happened at an unspecified time in the past; the actual time isn’t important – focus in on the result / experience e.g. Have you ever taken any illegal drugs? She has never been abroad. Have you ever flown in a plane?

BE CAREFUL!  She’s been to Japan. (at some time in her life)  She’s gone to Japan. (and she‘s there now)

 PUT THE VERBS INTO PAST SIMPLE, PRESENT SIMPLE OR PRESENT PERFECT: Last night I ( take ) __________ my mom in hospital. She ( be ) __________ ill a lot recently. She ( live ) __________ in London. Few days ago we ( have ) _________ guests. They are still here. I ( be ) __________ born in My family ( own ) __________ this house since I ( have got ) __________ a terrible headache. Can you get me something? He ( learn ) __________ English for almost six years now. He ( start ) __________ learning English in his fourth grade. He ( have ) __________ English classes three times a week.

 TURN INTO PASSIVE:  She has published books since the late ‛90s.  He has given the prize to the winner.  They have painted the bedroom.  Medical research center has discovered a cure for lung cancer.  Steven Spielberg has recently made a film about aliens. by Irene, 2009