Present Perfect Simple

The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an
influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Form of Present Perfect
Positive

Negative

Question

I / you / we / they

I have spoken.

I have not spoken.

Have I spoken?

he / she / it

He has spoken.

He has not spoken.

Has he spoken?

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just
add ed.
Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed
Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

Example

after a final e only add d

love loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel

or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit admitted
travel travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i

hurry hurried

Use of Present Perfect

puts emphasis on the result

Example: She has written five letters.

action that is still going on

Example: School has not started yet.

action that stopped recently

Example: She has cooked dinner.

finished action that has an influence on the present

Example: I have lost my key.

action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking
Example: I have never been to Australia.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now
Put the verbs into the correct form (present perfect simple).
1.

I (not / work)

today.
have not w ork

2.

We (buy)

3.

We (not / plan)

4.

Where (be / you)

5.

He (write)

6.

She (not / see)

7.

(be / you)

8.

School (not / start)

9.

(speak / he)

10.

No, he (have / not)

a new lamp.
our holiday yet.
?
five letters.
him for a long time.
at school?
yet.
to his boss?
the time yet.

Write the participle form (3rd form) of the regular verbs. Note the exceptions in spelling when
adding ed.
1.

use -

2.

try -

3.

carry -

4.

dance -

5.

cycle -

6.

travel Fill the gaps with 'have' or 'has'.

1.

answered the question.

2.

She

3.

They

4.

You

5.

It

6.

We

washed the car.

7.

He

closed the window.

8.

Jenny

9.

The girls

10.

John and Sophie

opened the window.

called us.
carried a box.
rained a lot.

locked the door.

visited the museum.
helped in the garden.

Write positive sentences in present perfect simple

1.
Bob / visit / his grandma
2.

Jimmy / play / on the computer

3.

Sue and Walter / wash / their car

4.

Andrew / repair / his bike

5.

Phil / help / Anne with maths

6.

Brad and Louise / watch / a film

7.

Tamara / talk to / her best friend

8.

Bridgette / draw / a picture

9.

Carol / read / a computer magazine

10.

Tom and Alice / be / to a restaurant

Write negative sentences in present perfect simple.

1.
Sarah / not / wash the dishes
2.

Anita / not / clean the kitchen

3.

Maureen and Gavin / not / water the plants

4.

Joey / not / make his bed

5.

David / not / buy milk

6.

Lisa / not / be to the baker's

7.

Aran and Jack / not / do their homework

8.

Jane and Ben / not / tidy up their rooms

9.

Alex / not / feed the hamster

10.

Hazel / not / empty the bin

Write sentences in present perfect simple. Place 'never' before the main verb.
1.
Fergal / never / sail / on the Pacific.
2.

Rebecca / never / stay / at a five-star hotel

3.

Jason / never / watch / a world-cup final

4.

Rachel and Gareth / never / climb / Mount Kilimanjaro

5.

Elaine / never / see / a whale

6.

Ruth / never / spend / her holiday in Mexico

7.

Connor / never / be / to Canada

8.

Lisa and Holly / never / cycle / around England

9.

Barry / never / drive / a Ferrari

10.

Clare / never / meet / Mickey Mouse

Write questions in present perfect simple.

1.
you / answer / the question
2.

Jenny / lock / the door

3.

Walter / call / us

4.

you / see / the picture

5.

your parents / get / the letter

6.

it / rain / a lot

7.

how often / we / sing / the song

8.

Maureen / watch / the film

9.

how many books / Bob / read

10.

ever / you / be / to London

Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1.
I have been in the garden. 2.

My sister has cooked dinner.

3.

Sue has read the book twice. -

4.

My computer has crashed. -

5.

Jeane has been on holiday for eight days.

6.

Fred has done his homework.

7.

Gavin has stopped at the corner.

8.

Sarah has bought five books. -

9.

Jason has talked to his teacher.

10.

Catherine has cleaned the house because she is having a party tonight.

Write the verbs in present perfect simple.

1.
Tourists from all over the world (be)

to Loch Ness.

2.

Most of them (see / not)

Nessie, however.

3.

Only very few people say that the Loch Ness Monster (appear)

4.

Even scientists (come)

5.

And the boss of the Guinness brewery (promise)

in front of them.

to Loch Ness to find the monster.

to pay 500,000 Pounds to the person

who catches Nessie.

Write the participle form of the following verbs.
1.

go

2.

sing

3.

be

4.

buy

5.

do
Complete the table in present perfect simple.
positive

negative

question

He has written a letter.

They have not stopped.

Have we danced?

She has worked.

Andy has not slept.

Write sentences in present perfect simple.
1.

they / ask / a question -

2.

he / speak / English -

3.

I / be / in my room -

4.

we / not / wash / the car -

5.

Annie / not / forget / her homework Write questions in present perfect simple.

1.

they / finish / their homework -

2.

Sue / kiss / Ben -

3.

the waiter / bring / the tea -

4.

Marilyn / pay / the bill -

5.

you / ever / write / a poem Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1.

They have talked about art at school. -

2.

Jane has got a letter. -

3.

Oliver has cooked dinner. -

4.

Caron has read seven pages. -

5.

You have heard the song 100 times. -

Write the participle forms of the following verbs.

1.

make

2.

drink

3.

catch

4.

have

5.

sit
Complete the table in present perfect simple.
positive

negative

question

He has swum.

She has not slept.

Have you phoned?

Tina has cried.

They have not run.

Write sentences in present perfect simple.
1.

Phil / not / miss / the bus -

2.

they / not / plant / a tree -

3.

Vanessa / catch / the ball -

4.

we / sell / our old car -

5.

the train / leave / the station Write questions in present perfect simple.

1.

you / correct / my mistakes -

2.

you / practise / your English -

3.

she / tidy up / her room -

4.

the boss / sign / the letter -

5.

Mary / shut / the door Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1.

Tony has built a house. -

2.

Avril has crossed the street at the traffic lights. -

3.

They have never been to Australia. -

4.

Rupert has dialled the number. -

5.

Betty has spent 200 euros at the shopping mall. Write the participle forms of the following verbs.

1.

shut

2.

spend

3.

give

4.

teach

5.

sell
Complete the table in present perfect simple.
positive

negative

question

We have chatted.

The lesson has not started.

Have we won?

She has turned around.

They have not arrived.

Write sentences in present perfect simple.
1.

we / reach / our goal -

2.

our team / lose / the match -

3.

she / underline / the word -

4.

they / not / discover / the treasure -

5.

Ron / not / talk / about the problem Write questions in present perfect simple.

1.

you / knock / at the door -

2.

the teacher / mark / the tests -

3.

she / buy / a new computer -

4.

they / rescue / the girl -

5.

Brad / wear / a blue shirt Ask for the information in the bold part of the sentence.

1.

They have seen him at the library. -

2.

Robby Robber has robbed another bank. -

3.

Bill has ordered three desserts. -

4.

Clara has repeated the sentence five times. -

5.

Jane has asked a question. Highlight in the text the verbs in present simple, present continuous and
present perfect simple.
To say who actually invented the sport of snowboarding would be impossible because people have always
loved to slide down a snow-covered hill. Soaring through the snow on some kind of seat or board is nothing
new. The ways to enjoy the snow are numerous, and people have devised ways to turn garbage can lids and
cardboard into snow boards to enjoy an afternoon frolic outdoors. The various ways to glide through
snow have become more sophisticated and have evolved into using polished boards or skis in much the same
manner as a surfboarder would ride a wave.
There have been many attempts at developing a modern snowboard. In 1965, the Snurfer (a word play
on snow and surfer) was developed as a childs toy. Two skis were bound together and a rope was placed
at the front end to afford control and stability. Over 500,000 Snurfers were sold in 1966 but they were
never seen as more than a child's plaything even though organized competitions began to take place. The
year 1969 brought a slightly more sophisticated snowboard based on the principles of skiing combined with
surfboard styling.
The Flying Yellow Banana was developed in 1977. This was nothing more than a plastic shell covered with
a top surface like that of a skateboard, but at the time it was considered a major advance in the little known
sport of snowboarding. The first national snowboard race was held in the area outside Woodstock and was
known as The Suicide Six. The race consisted of a steep downhill run called The Face in which the main
goal was probably mere survival.
Snowboarding continued to increase in popularity over the next several years. In 1985 the first magazine
dedicated specifically to snowboarding hit the news stands with huge success and furthered the popularity of
this exciting sport. Hoards of fans began to organize regional events and pretty soon snowboarding events
were held in all parts of the world. In the year 1994 snowboarding was finally declared an Olympic event,
much to the delight of fans. The not-so-new sport of snowboarding was finally recognized and meant a huge
victory for serious snowboarders across the globe.
A collection of snowboarding tricks and stunts was released on video in 1996. Filmed in Alaska, the
breathtaking beauty and captivating snowboarding techniques featured in the video exposed snowboarding
to a new generation, and by 1998 snowboarding constituted almost 50% of all winter activity. Today, nearly

all ski resorts accept snowboarders. There are still a few holding on to the past but this is unlikely to
continue as the number of snowboarders continually increases.
From the first crudely built snowboards to the advanced and specialized models available today,
snowboarders have carried a bad boyimage. This rebel reputation is still common today in spite of the fact
that snowboarding appeals to men, women, and children of all nationalities and social groups. At most major
ski resorts you can find snowboarding gear, information, and lessons. Olympic and world wide
snowboarding events are among the most popular of winter sports and the competition to be the best is
fierce.
Retailers nation wide and around the world carry many types of snowboards, and the choice in specially
made snowboarding gear is immense. Snowboarders have participated in the X Games and even charity
events such as Boarding for Breast Cancer. From its early meager beginnings snowboarding has
progressed into a fully recognized sport, and large numbers of people are turning to snowboarding for
adventure, fun, and professional recognition.

Make the present perfect - it could be positive, negative or question.

1) (I / go / to the library today)
.
2) (you / keep a pet for three years)
.
3) (you / come here before)?
.
4) (it / rain all day)?
.
5) (who / we / forgot to invite)?
.
6) (we / not / hear that song already)
.
7) (he / not / forget his books)
.
8) (she / steal all the chocolate)
.

9) (I / explain it well)?
.
10) (who / he / meet recently)?
.
11) (how / we / finish already)?
.
12) (he / study Latin)
.
13) (I / know him for three months)
.
14) (where / you / study Arabic)?
.
15) (what countries / they / visit in Europe)?
.
16) (he / hurt his leg)
.
17) (she / leave her phone in a taxi)
.
18) (we / not / lose our tickets)
.
19) (she / call her mother)?
.
20) (he / take a taxi)?
.
Make the present perfect - positive, negative or question
1) (she / pass the exam)?
.

2) (you / eat lunch yet)?

.
3) (he / read the newspaper today)?
.
4) (you / not / study French for ten years)
.
5) (they / be in London for six months)
.
6) (where / you / be)?
.
7) (we / not / go to Paris)
.
8) (she / not / see The Lord of the Rings)
.
9) (he / not / meet my mother)
.
10) (they / not / visit St. Pauls Cathedral yet)
.
11) (what / she / eat today)?
.
12) (why / you / do your homework already)?
.
13) (how / she / make this fantastic cake)?
.
14) (why / I / miss the plane)?
.
15) (they / not / go to bed)

.
16) (it / rain a lot this week)
.
17) (they / use a credit card before)?
.
18) (we / have enough to eat)?
.
19) (she / not / play basketball before)
.
20) (I / wear a kimono)
.
Complete the sentences with the correct form.
1) I

a new mobile phone. (just/buy)

2)

a cat without a tail? (you/ever/see)

3)My sister

4)We

sushi. (never/ eat)

your new tape yet. (hear)

5)How many words

6)Sheila

7)What

for your language project? (you/write)

her breakfast yet. (Have)

to the computer? (they/ do)

8)John and Alex

9)Where

in France for 20 years.(live)

my keys? ( I /leave)

10)Simon

Pat's parents yet.(meet)

11) We

her an e-mail. (just/ send)

12) Where is your mother?

She

13) Simon

to the supermarket.(go)

to South Africa once. He wants to go there again. (go)

Fill in the gaps with since or for.

1) I haven't been to Erika's house

May.

2) Lucas has worked in the bank

3)I have known him

4) It has rained

I was six.

more than three days.

5) They have been married

A nice party

five years.

1999.

1. Jake and Ben

already

(to prepare) the birthday party.

Present Perfect signal word:

2. They

just

(to buy) the decorations.

Present Perfect signal word:

3. Jake

(to choose) many cds so far...

Present Perfect signal word:

4. ...but Ben

(not to listen) to them yet.

Present Perfect signal word:

5. He

(to be) busy since two oclock.

Present Perfect signal word:

6. He

already

ten bottles into the fridge.

Present Perfect signal word:

7. He

(to make) lots of sandwiches so far.

Present Perfect signal word:

8. But he

(not to put) the crisps on the table yet.

Present Perfect signal word:

9. Jake

never

(to have) a such a big birthday party.

Present Perfect signal word:

10. They

(to invite) 20 friends up to now.

Present Perfect signal word:

Write sentences in present perfect simple.

1.

They / play / football -

2.

He / speak / English -

3.

I / write / a poem -

4.

We / not / wash / the car -

5.

Nancy / not / meet / her friends-

Write questions in present perfect simple.

1.

They / finish / their homework -

2.

She / visit / her friend-

3.

The maid / clean / the house -

4.

He / drive / the van -

5.

You / ever / write / a poem -

FOR OR SINCE
1. I haven't been to Italy

July 2005.

2. She has lived in Paris

January.

3. Jim has studied

three hours. Now he is tired.

4. My friend has been ill

a long time.

5. It has been raining

more than four days.

6. I haven't seen him

Eastern.

7. He hasn't had a holiday

last summer.

8. He hasn't done any work

a month.

9. We have had this car

1998.

10. We have been here

two hours.

11. She hasn't written

12. Carol hasn't eaten meat

Christmas.
ages.

13. We have been working in his office

14. It has been snowing
15. I haven't spoken to her

three years.

yesterday morning.
our quarrel.