1

Present Perfect, Part Three

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past

2

Present Perfect Review #1

1 reason to use the present perfect =

to talk about something that started in the past and still continues.

• Librarian: How long have you lived here?

• You:Six months.

3

Present Perfect Review #2

Another reason to use the present perfect =to talk about something that finished a short time ago.

• Secretary: Have you finished your schedule preference form yet?

• You:Yes, I’ve done it already. My supervisor has seen it. Is there anything else I need to do?

4

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past: Use

Use present perfect to talk about something that happened in the past at any time, but at NO specific time.

• Interviewer: Have you driven a forklift?

• You:Yes, I have. I’ve had a lot of experience, and I’ve never had an accident.

5

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past: Use, Another Example

• Interviewer: Have you worked at this company before?

• You: No, I haven’t. This is the first time that I have applied here.

6

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past: Use, A 3rd Example

• Doctor: Have you ever had any heart problems?

• Patient: No, I’ve never had any problems like that; I’ve been lucky.

• Doctor: That’s good. What diseases have you had?

• Patient: Nothing serious, except for a very bad respiratory infection one time.

7

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past : Use, 3rd Example

• Interviewer: How many computer programs have you learned?

• You: I’ve learned Word and Print Shop. I know them well.

• Interviewer: That’s good. Have you used Excel?

• You: No, I haven’t, but I think I could learn it quickly.

8

No Present Perfect for the Specific Past

Don’t use present perfect if you want to talk about a specific time in the past. Change to past tense.

• Co-worker: How long have you worked here?

• You: I’ve been here for three years. I started in August 2003.

9

Try It!

• Have you visited any museums in Chicago?

• Have you gone to a conservatory?

• What cartoons have you watched?

10

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past & Ever

Use ever in questions using present perfect to emphasize ANY time in the past.

Use ever when it doesn’t matter if it was a short time or a long time, a short time ago or a long time ago, here or in another place.

Using ever emphasizes the specific time is not important, but it doesn’t change the meaning of the question.

11

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past & Ever, More Examples

• Friend: Have you ever eaten a double cheeseburger?

• You: No way. I’ve never done that, ….

• Salesperson: Have you ever driven a BMW?

• You: Well,…..

12

Try It! Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past & Ever

Write a question in present perfect with ever. Use one of these verbs: go, have, do, make, or buy

• Example: Has Suzanne ever bought a BMW?

13

Present Perfect & Never

Never = not at any time (not ever)

• Parent One: Have you ever gone to Wagner Farm?

• Parent Two: No, I’ve never been there. What can you see there?

• Parent One: I’ve seen cows and baby pigs and a big tractor.

14

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past as an Introduction

Sometimes we use present perfect to start a conversation. Then, when we add specific information, we change to present or past.

• Interviewer: Have you ever worked with children?

• Job Applicant: Yes, I have. I worked as an elementary school teacher for 8 years.

• Interviewer: Interesting. What subject did you teach?

• Job Applicant: I’ve taught all subjects, but my specialty is math.

15

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past as an Introduction, Another

Example

• Coworker A: Have you seen the supervisor?

• Coworker B: No, I haven’t seen her at all. Was she looking for me tonight?

• Coworker A: She came in about an hour ago, and I think she wants to talk to you.

• Coworker B: Thanks for letting me know.

16

Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past in Descriptions

We sometimes use present perfect in sentences that describe something or somebody.

• Student One: What’s the best candy that you have ever eaten?

• Student Two: I’ve had chocolate covered cherries from Poland. They were delicious!

17

Try It! Present Perfect for the Indefinite Past in Descriptions

• What’s the best candy that you have ever eaten?

• What’s the worst illness that you have ever had?

• Who’s the oldest person you’ve ever spoken to?

18

Sing It! YouTube - Pete Seeger: Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

WHERE HAVE ALL THE FLOWERS GONE words and music by Pete Seeger performed by Pete Seeger and Tao Rodriguez-Seeger

Where have all the flowers gone? Long time passing Where have all the flowers gone? Long time ago Where have all the flowers gone? Girls have picked them every one When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young girls gone? Long time passing Where have all the young girls gone? Long time ago Where have all the young girls gone? Taken husbands every one When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Where have all the young men gone? Long time passing Where have all the young men gone? Long time ago Where have all the young men gone? Gone for soldiers every one When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn? Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time passing

Where have all the soldiers gone? Long time ago Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards every one When will they ever learn? When will they ever learn?

Where have all the graveyards gone? Long time passing Where have all the graveyards gone? Long time ago Where have all the graveyards gone? Covered with flowers every one When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn? ©1961 (Renewed) Fall River Music Inc All Rights Reserved.