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Language Life Support

What you need to know to clarify the most common structures in

English

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1. I’ve visited China many times.

Did the visits happen in the past? (Y)Does the sentence tell us when in the past? (N)Is my life finished or does it continue up to now? (continues) So, is there a connection with the present? (Y)

2. She can’t drive, she’s broken her arm.

Did she break her arm in the past? (Y)A long time ago? (N)Do we know exactly when? (N)Is her arm broken now? (Y)

Present perfect simpleExample sentence and form meaning / use pronunciation

+1. I’ve visited China many times.

2. She can’t drive, she’s broken her arm.

3. I’ve lived here ten years, but I don’t know my neighbours.

Sub + have/has + past participle/V3 (aux:have)

1. experience at an indefinite time in the past

2. action in the past with a result in the present

3. action or state that began in the past and continues up to the present (possibly with an emphasis on completion)

She’s broken her arm. I’ve lived here ten years.

Contraction of subject + auxiliary verbHe’s = He hasThey’ve = They have etc.

- 1. I’ve never seen that film.

2. He hasn’t eaten it yet.

Sub+have/has+not +past participle/V3 (aux:have)

1. experience at an indefinite time in the past

2. action in the past with a result in the present

I’ve never seen He hasn’t eaten

Contraction of subject + auxiliary verb.E.g. I have = I’ve He has = He’s

? 1. Have you tried sushi?

2. Has he finished his homework?

Have/Has + sub + past participle/V3?

1. asking about experience at an indefinite time in the past

2. asking about action in the past with a result in the present

Have you tried

Auxiliary is weakHave you /Həvjə/

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3. I’ve lived here ten years, but I don’t know my neighbours.

When did I start living here? (ten years ago) Do I live there now? (Y)Is it likely I’ll continue to live there? (Y)Is the completion of ten years important? (Y)Is this a repeated action or a state? (state)