UNIT 8. Present perfect (2) (I have done)

A. 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).

* Have you ever eaten caviar? (in your life)

* 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.

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 from George 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 nice to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

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

* I've drunk four cups of coffee today. (perhaps I'll drink more before today is finished)

* Have you had a holiday this year (yet)?

* I haven't seen Tom this morning. Have you?

* Ron hasn't worked very hard this term.

C. Note that we say 'It's the first time something has happened' (present perfect). For example:

Don is having a driving lesson. He is very nervous and unsure because it is his first lesson.

* It's the first time he has driven a car. (not 'drives') or He has never driven a car before.

* Linda has lost her passport again. It's the second time this has happened. (not 'happens')

* This is a lovely meal. It's the first good meal I've had for ages. (not 'I have')

* Bill is phoning his girlfriend again. That's the third time he's phoned her this evening.

EXERCISES