Present perfect for general experiences

• We use the present perfect to talk about things that have happened and experiences we’ve had in our lives up to now: There have been a few problems. She’ s had a lot of different jobs.

• We can use always, often, once, twice, etc. to talk about frequency: He ’s always wanted to be an actor. I ’ve met her once.

• We use ever and never to ask or say if something has happened or not: Have you ever been to Spain? I’ve never climbed a mountain.

• We also use the present perfect with ever and never:

- to talk about something that is happening for the first time: This is the first time she ’s ever flown. She ’s never flown before.

- with the comparative and superlative: This is the best film I ’ve ever seen.

I ’ve never seen a better film.

Ø Notice the difference between have/has been and have/has gone:

Mike ’s been to Rome. (He went to Rome in the past but he’s back now)

Mike ’s gone to Rome. (He’s in Rome now)

• We use the past simple to give more details about our experiences: Tina ’s travelled all over the world. She went to New Zealand last year and last month she spent a week in Iceland.

Complete the conversations. Use the present perfect of the verbs in brackets.

1. A:......... Have you ever........ been to hospital? (you / ever / be)

B: No, I haven’t. I.......................... ’ve never been.... seriously ill. (never / be)

2. A: ……….to you about her course? (Sophie / ever / talk)

B: No. She................................... it. (never / mention)

3. A: ……………………..golf? (you / ever / play)

B: No. I…………….it looked boring, (always / think)

4. A: ………………..their songs in public? (they / ever / perform)

B: No. They….................................................... the chance. (never / have)

5. A:................................... …………..bungee jumping? (you / ever / try)

B: No. I……….................afraid of heights, (always / be)

6. A:……………….................................. at you? (he / ever / shout)

B: No. He......................................................... very kind and polite, (always / be)

7. A:......................................... an e-mail to the wrong person?

(you / ever / send)

B: No, I......................................................... that. That sounds awful! (never / do)

Complete the second sentence so that it means the same as the first, using the word in bold. Use between two and five words.

0 I haven’t been to Scotland before. first

This is the.............................. ….first time I’ve ever….. to Scotland.

1. They’ve never invited us to dinner before. time

This is……….............………...............ever invited us to dinner.

2. This is the first time we’ve ever been camping. never

We........ ………..............………..............camping before.

3. She hasn’t tried to ride a bike before. ever

This is the first………..............to ride a bike.

4. This is the first time I’ve made this, but it tastes nice. before

I………..............……….............., but it tastes nice.

5. Have you never watched this before? first

Is this………..............………..............ever watched this?