Page 78 - Oxford_English_Grammar_Course_Basic_2015

We can use the present perfect to say how often things have happened up to now.

That's a wonderful film. I've seen it three times. Sally has only been to Ireland once.
We've often wanted to come and see you.

^ Make present perfect sentences.

► I / break / my arm / three times .........
1 Joe / change / his job / twice this year

2 how often / she/ask/you for money ?

3 I/o fte n /try /to stop smoking

4 Tom /phone /me /six times this week

5 My father / meet / the Prime Minister / twice

6 The police / question / Annie / more than once

7 I/only/play/rugby/once in my life

8 My brother / often / help / me / in my work

9 Nobody/ ever/understand/ her

10 I / never/want/to go to the moon

Q Present perfect or simple past? Circle the correct answers.
1 Did you ever go / Have you ever been to Wales? 6 I haven't bought any clothes this year / last year.
2 I never read /have never read any of his books. 7 Julia stayed / has stayed with us last week.

3 Our team won / has won two matches this year. 8 I worked very hard today/yesterday.
4 Our team won / has won two matches last year. 9 I never saw/have never seen a ghost.
5 Shakespeare never went/has never been to Athens. 10 When did John phone. / has John phoned?

@ Write five things that you didn't do yesterday, and five things that you have never done.
1 I didn't....................................................................................................................................... yesterday.

2 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................
3 .....................................................................................................................................................................
4 .....................................................................................................................................................................
5 .....................................................................................................................................................................
6 I have never.................................................................................................................................................
7 .....................................................................................................................................................................

8 ......................................................................................................................................................................................................
9
10

-» For the present perfect with just, yet and already, see page 64.

In some answers, both contracted forms (for example I'm, don't) and full PERFECT TENSES 63
forms (for example Iam, do not) are possible. Normally both are correct.