UNIT

Ordinal numbers tell what order: the

Cardinal numbers are used for counting

First, review the ways we’ve studied using the present perfect so far:

1. a. How long have you lived in Quebec?

b. I’ve lived here for three years now.

2. So far, no one has said anything a

3. Up to now, I’ve been lucky because my rent has been so low, but I think the landlord might raise it.

4. a. Have you ever taken a Spanish class?

b. Yes, I have. I took one in high school.

5. He hasn’t ever said anything about it. = He

6. How many times have you gone back to your country?

money in the lottery before?

7. My daughter has been sick a lot lately

8. She is the best teacher that I’ve

9. Over the last year, my son has grown six inches. He’s almost as tall as I am now!

In addition to the situations above, we also use the pre

ORDINAL NUMBERS with the

You often use the present perfect in a clause (

second, third, etc.):

10. This is the first time that they’ve

11. This is the third test that he has

12. I’m here for another interview. This is

come in (since they started interviewing people

time!

13. I like working here. It’s the first job

English (since I started working here in this country)

Important: You only use present perfect if the event or experience you’re

third test, the second job) is still connected to the present (

before). In the following examples, the event or experience is

are not in present perfect tense; they’re in

14. Washing dishes in a restaurant

washing dishes, is something I did when I was a teenager. I’m not a teenager

anymore, so I cannot use present per

15. The first thing that I ate tasted funny, so I put it down and tried something else.

tasting food, is finished. I’m not tasting food anymore, so I use

16. The last time that he saw his parents was when he got on the plane to come to this country.

Unfortunately, he never got to see them again.

is in the past.)

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 ©Roland Trego revised

NIT 12: ORDINAL NUMBERS

the first, the second, the third...

counting: one, two, three, four...

First, review the ways we’ve studied using the present perfect so far:

have you lived in Quebec?

three years now.

, no one has said anything about it to me.

, I’ve been lucky because my rent has been so low, but I think the landlord might raise it.

a Spanish class?

one in high school.

anything about it. = He has never said anything about it.

have you gone back to your country? How many students

lately. If she doesn’t get better, I’ll have to take her to the doctor.

ve ever had.

, my son has grown six inches. He’s almost as tall as I am now!

In addition to the situations above, we also use the present perfect with ordinal numbers.

h the PRESENT PERFECT You often use the present perfect in a clause (a subject and verb) that follows an ordinal number

ve ever been to this country. (in their whole lives)

has given us. (so far this semester, up to now)

I’m here for another interview. This is the second time that they’ve asked me to

(since they started interviewing people). I hope they offer me the job this

the first job that I’ve had where I can practice my

(since I started working here in this country).

: You only use present perfect if the event or experience you’re talking about (

) is still connected to the present (since…, so far, up to now, in my whole life,

). In the following examples, the event or experience is not connected to the present, so the verbs

in present perfect tense; they’re in simple past.

Washing dishes in a restaurant was the first job that I had. I was 14. (My experience,

, is something I did when I was a teenager. I’m not a teenager

anymore, so I cannot use present perfect. I use SIMPLE PAST instead.)

tasted funny, so I put it down and tried something else.

, is finished. I’m not tasting food anymore, so I use SIMPLE PAST.)

his parents was when he got on the plane to come to this country.

Unfortunately, he never got to see them again. (The time period for the event, seeing his parents

©Roland Trego revised 11/24/2013 4:53 PM

, I’ve been lucky because my rent has been so low, but I think the landlord might raise it.

How many students in the class have won

. If she doesn’t get better, I’ll have to take her to the doctor.

, my son has grown six inches. He’s almost as tall as I am now!

ordinal numbers.

ordinal number (first,

(in their whole lives)

me to

I hope they offer me the job this

talking about (the first time, the

since…, so far, up to now, in my whole life,

connected to the present, so the verbs

(My experience,

, is something I did when I was a teenager. I’m not a teenager

tasted funny, so I put it down and tried something else. (My activity,

.)

his parents was when he got on the plane to come to this country.

seeing his parents,

Book4ClassSetAW07-2 ©Roland Trego revised 11/24/2013 4:53 PM

Exercise. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb forms. level5.podomatic.com document: 5-Book4ClassSetAW07-1

1. I’m nervous! This is the first time that (I ever go) ______________________ on a job interview. Wish me

luck, O.K.?

2. This is the first time that (I ride) ______________________ on one of these new buses. They’re bigger than

the old ones, aren’t they?

3. The principal was the last person that (she speak to) ______________________ at the meeting yesterday.

4. Excuse me, this is the first time that (I ever take) ______________________ the

subway. Do you know if it stops at Powell Street?

5. a. Do you know your way around? (=Are you familiar with the place?)

b. No. This is the first time that (I ever be) ______________________ here.

6. No, I was the second person that (she call) ______________________ after the

accident. Her father was the first.

7. This is the third test that (she fail) ______________________ this semester. I wonder

what’s wrong. She usually does so well on them.

8. This is the fourth time this month that (you be) ______________________ late for work. I’m sorry, but I’m

going to have to write you up. (write a letter for someone’s personnel file about poor work behavior or habits)

9. When he came home from work, going into the kitchen and opening a beer was always the first thing that

(he do) ______________________ .

10. This is the first pronunciation class that (he ever teach) ______________________ , so he’s going to need

more time to prepare for it.

11. Jean Simmons was the first woman that (he marry) ______________________. After they got divorced, he

married Patricia Moon.

12. Christmas was the last time that (we ever see) ______________________ him. He passed away a week later.

Exercise. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate verb forms. level5.podomatic.com document: 5-Book4ClassSetAW07-1

1. I’m nervous! This is the first time that (I ever go) ______________________ on a job interview. Wish me

luck, O.K.?

2. This is the first time that (I ride) ______________________ on one of these new buses. They’re bigger than

the old ones, aren’t they?

3. The principal was the last person that (she speak to) ______________________ at the meeting yesterday.

4. Excuse me. This is the first time that (I ever take) ______________________ the

subway. Do you know if it stops at Powell Street?

5. a. Do you know your way around? (=Are you familiar with the place?)

b. No. This is the first time that (I ever be) ______________________ here.

6. No, I was the second person that (she call) ______________________ after the

accident. Her father was the first.

7. This is the third test that (she fail) ______________________ this semester. I wonder

what’s wrong. She usually does so well on them.

8. This is the fourth time this month that (you be) ______________________ late for work. I’m sorry, but I’m

going to have to write you up. (write a letter for someone’s personnel file about poor work behavior or habits)

9. When he came home from work, going into the kitchen and opening a beer was always the first thing that

(he do) ______________________ .

10. This is the first pronunciation class that (he ever teach) ______________________ , so he’s going to need

more time to prepare for it.

11. Jean Simmons was the first woman that (he marry) ______________________ . After they got divorced, he

married Patricia Moon.

12. Christmas was the last time that (we ever see) ______________________ him. He passed away a week later.