Hi, people: As you have requested, I'm leaving you some exercises for extra practice.
Using the words in parentheses, complete the text below with the appropriate tenses.
1. A: Did you like the movie "Star Wars?"
B: I don't know. I (see, never)___________ that movie.
2. Sam (arrive)____________ in San Diego a week ago.
3. My best friend and I (know)_______________ each other for over fifteen years. We still get together once a week.
4. Stinson is a fantastic writer. He (write)______________ ten very creative short stories in the last year. One day, he'll be as famous as Hemingway.
5. I (have, not) __________this much fun since I (be)____________ a kid.
6. Things (change)____________ a great deal at Coltech, Inc. When we first (start) ___________working here three years ago, the company (have, only) _________six employees. Since then, we (expand) _____________to include more than 2000 full-time workers.
7. I (tell)__________ him to stay on the path while he was hiking, but he (wander) off into the forest and (be) ______________bitten by a snake.
8. Listen Donna, I don't care if you (miss)______________ the bus this morning. You (be)_____________ late to work too many times. You are fired!
9. Sam is from Colorado, which is hundreds of miles from the coast, so he (see, never) __________the ocean. He should come with us to Miami.
10. How sad! George (dream)_________ of going to California before he died, but he didn't make it. He (see, never)____________ the ocean.
11. In the last hundred years, traveling (become) _________much easier and very comfortable. In the 19th century, it (take) ___________two or three months to cross North America by covered wagon. The trip (be)__________ very rough and often dangerous. Things (change)_________ a great deal in the last hundred and fifty years. Now you can fly from New York to Los Angeles in a matter of hours.
12. Jonny, I can't believe how much you (change)____________ since the last time I (see) _________you. You (grow) ____________at least a foot!
13. This tree (be)__________ planted by the settlers who (found)__________ our city over four hundred years ago.
14. This mountain (be, never) __________________climbed by anyone. Several mountaineers (try)___________ to reach the top, but nobody (succeed, ever)_______________ . The climb is extremely difficult and many people (die)_________ trying to reach the summit.
15. I (visit, never) ____________Africa, but I (travel) ___________to South America several times. The last time I (go)_____________ to South America, I (visit)_____________ Brazil and Peru. I (spend) ____________two weeks in the Amazon, (hike) _______________for a week near Machu Picchu, and (fly)_____________ over the Nazca Lines.
martes, 29 de abril de 2008
Present Perfect: its uses
Present Perfect
FORM
[has/have + past participle]
Examples:
You have seen that movie many times.
Have you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.
USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc.
We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in California.
People have traveled to the Moon.
People have not traveled to Mars.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?
The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
I have been to France.This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
I have been to France three times.You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
I have never been to France.This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
I think I have seen that movie before.
He has never traveled by train.
Joan has studied two foreign languages.
A: Have you ever met him?B: No, I have not met him.
TOPIC 2 Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.
Examples:
Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.
My car has broken down three times this week.
NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
Examples:
I went to Mexico last year.I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
I have been to Mexico in the last year.I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.
FORM
[has/have + past participle]
Examples:
You have seen that movie many times.
Have you seen that movie many times?
You have not seen that movie many times.
USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now
We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc.
We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in California.
People have traveled to the Moon.
People have not traveled to Mars.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?
The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
I have been to France.This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
I have been to France three times.You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
I have never been to France.This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
I think I have seen that movie before.
He has never traveled by train.
Joan has studied two foreign languages.
A: Have you ever met him?B: No, I have not met him.
TOPIC 2 Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.
Examples:
Have you been to Mexico in the last year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.
My car has broken down three times this week.
NOTICE
"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect.
Examples:
I went to Mexico last year.I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
I have been to Mexico in the last year.I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.
viernes, 11 de abril de 2008
Practice for test 15/4
Hi, people!!
I hope you enjoy the weekend!
If you want to do extra practice, you will find more exercises in the blog, 2007, May.
There you will find Simple Past and Present Perfect, Reading Comprehension exercises and modal verbs.
Good luck! If you have any doubt, contact me through mail.
Bye!!!
I hope you enjoy the weekend!
If you want to do extra practice, you will find more exercises in the blog, 2007, May.
There you will find Simple Past and Present Perfect, Reading Comprehension exercises and modal verbs.
Good luck! If you have any doubt, contact me through mail.
Bye!!!
martes, 1 de abril de 2008
IMPORTANT!!!
Hi! This is just to remind you to include ONLY your first name and the two or three first letters of your surnames in your profiles on this blog.
2. Choose "Editar Perfil" on your right
Example: Ariel Ben, Maia Le, or Jimena Cas.
How?
1. Go to "Panel"
2. Choose "Editar Perfil" on your right
3. Go to "Identidad"/"Nombre Mostrado" and type your name and just 2 or 3 letters of your surname
4. Remember to save the changes by clicking on "Guardar Perfil" at the bottom of the page.
Consult me or the Lab assisstants if you have any problems in doing so.
See you, Bettina
Suscribirse a:
Entradas (Atom)
