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Grammar Basics: Unit 19 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part I (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/22
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Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the present perfect for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tom is not at work. He (left) for the day. ==> Tom is not at work. He’s left for the day.

1. Jack has cut the grass.
2. She has baked a cake for tomorrow’s party.
3. We have exercised this morning.
4. Kelly has eaten supper with her friends.
5. Have you washed the clothes?
6. The light bulb has burned out.
7. Mary has been in an auto accident.
8. The dog has been fed.
9. Archeologists have dug up a dinosaur bone.
10. Customers have come to the store for a free book.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the simple past for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tim (has gone) to bed. ==> Tim went to bed.

1. The plane came to a complete stop.
2. Sally finished reading War and Peace.
3. Everyone went home for the day.
4. The senator already gave his speech.
5. The clock stopped.
6. These books were checked out from the library.
7. The luggage was put on the train.
8. Matt got first place in several tennis tournaments.
9. The baby took his first steps.
10. My favorite TV program was canceled.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 19 – Present Perfect vs. Simple Past, Part I

Posted on 2012/02/21
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So far, we have looked at two ways to talk about past events: the Simple Past, and the Present Perfect. The question is: How can I tell when I need to use Simple Past, and when I need to use Present Perfect?

Present Perfect:
The Present Perfect is used for an action in the past that has a result that is still in effect now.

Examples:

The mechanic has fixed the car. (= The car is fixed now.)
The rain has melted away the snow. (= The snow is melted now.)
I have cleaned the basement. (= The basement is clean now.)
Jim was very sick last week, but he’s gotten better. (= His condition is better now.)

Simple Past:
The Simple Past is used when we are talking about an action in the past with a finished time – something whose results are not necessarily still in effect now.

Examples:

The mechanic fixed the car. (= The car was fixed yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)
The rain melted away the snow. (= The snow melted yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)
I cleaned the basement. (= I cleaned the basement yesterday, three days ago, last week, last month, etc.)

Note: The Simple Past can also be thought of as a narrative (“story-telling”) tense:

Once upon a time there was a little girl named Goldilocks. She was a naughty little girl who didn’t listen to her mother. One day, she went for a walk in the woods and came upon the house of the three bears….

Sometimes, however, the Simple Past could be used as well as the Present Perfect:

I’ve finished my homework. // I finished my homework.
I’ve lost my book. // I lost my book.
Sam’s bought new shoes. // Sam bought new shoes.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the present perfect for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tom is not at work. He (left) for the day. ==> Tom is not at work. He’s left for the day.

1. Jack (cut) the grass.
2. She (baked) a cake for tomorrow’s party.
3. We (exercised) this morning.
4. Kelly (ate) supper with her friends.
5. (Did) you (wash) the clothes?
6. The light bulb (burned) out.
7. Mary (was) in an auto accident.
8. The dog (was) fed.
9. Archeologists (dug) up a dinosaur bone.
10. Customers (came) to the store for a free book.

Exercise: Rewrite the sentences, using the simple past for the verbs in parentheses.

Example:

Tim (has gone) to bed. ==> Tim went to bed.

1. The plane (has come) to a complete stop.
2. Sally (has finished) reading War and Peace.
3. Everyone (has gone) home for the day.
4. The senator (has) already (given) his speech.
5. The clock (has stopped).
6. These books (have been checked) out from the library.
7. The luggage (has been put) on the train.
8. Matt (has gotten) first place in several tennis tournaments.
9. The baby (has taken) his first steps.
10. My favorite TV program (has been canceled).

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Grammar Basics: Unit 18 – For, Since, and Ago (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/17
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Exercise: Complete the following sentences, using “for” or “since.”

Example:

I have been practicing the piano ____________ 3 o’clock. ==> I have been practicing the piano since 3 o’clock.
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 90 minutes. ==> I have been practicing the piano for 90 minutes.


1. Jane has been absent from class since Monday.
2. Jane has been absent from class for several days.
3. The baby has been walking for two months.
4. The baby has been walking since January.
5. We have been in business since 2001.
6. We have been in business for over five years.
7. She’s had a pet monkey since last year.
8. She’s had a pet monkey for six months.
9. Keith has been playing the piano since he was a young child.
10. Keith has been playing the piano for 20 years.

Exercise: Complete the sentences, using the word in the parentheses and “for” or “ago.”

Example:

I went on vacation (three weeks). ==> I went on vacation three weeks ago.
I have been on vacation (a week). ==> I have been on vacation for a week.

1. We have been driving for six hours.
2. We drove to California two months ago.
3. Sam went to the library ten minutes ago.
4. Sam has been at the library for three hours.
5. Jim lived in Hawaii many years ago.
6. Jim has lived in Hawaii for sixty years.
7. The kids played outside for 45 minutes.
8. The kids played outside two days ago.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 18 – For, Since, and Ago

Posted on 2012/02/16
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For, Since, and Ago are similar, but they are not the same. Sometimes it is confusing and difficult to decide which one is the correct one to use. Here are some hints to help you determine whether you should use “for,” “since,” or “ago.”

For and Since

Both of these are used to indicate a time span. In other words, if you are answering the question “How long ~?”, you want to use “for” or “since.”

For:

“For” is used when you are using a specific period of time: one week, three hours, five years, etc.

Examples:

I have been working on my homework for two hours.
Father has been sick for a week.
Tom has been attending college for three years.
She’s been waiting for the bus for a long time.

Since:

“Since” is used when you indicate the beginning of a specified period of time. The period of time continues until the present.

Examples:

I have been working on my homework since 1 o’clock.
Father has been sick since Sunday.
Tom has been attending college since 2005.
She’s been waiting for the bus since this morning.

Ago

“Ago,” on the other hand, just refers to some time in the past. “Ago” uses the simple past tense. You can think of “ago” = “before now.”

Examples:

I worked on my homework four days ago. (= “I worked on my homework four days before now.”)
John came home from college a month ago. (= “John came home from college one month before now.”)
People lived in caves a long time ago.

Exercise: Complete the following sentences, using “for” or “since.”

Example:

I have been practicing the piano ____________ 3 o’clock. ==> I have been practicing the piano since 3 o’clock.
I have been practicing the piano ____________ 90 minutes. ==> I have been practicing the piano for 90 minutes.

 

1. Jane has been absent from class ____________ Monday.
2. Jane has been absent from class ____________ several days.
3. The baby has been walking ____________ two months.
4. The baby has been walking ____________ January.
5. We have been in business ____________ 2001.
6. We have been in business ____________ over five years.
7. She’s had a pet monkey ____________ last year.
8. She’s had a pet monkey ____________ months.
9. Keith has been playing the piano ____________ he was a young child.
10. Keith has been playing the piano ____________ 20 years.

Exercise: Complete the sentences, using the word in the parentheses and “for” or “ago.”

Example:

I went on vacation (three weeks). ==> I went on vacation three weeks ago.
I have been on vacation (a week). ==> I have been on vacation for a week.

 

1. We have been driving (six hours).
2. We drove to California (two months).
3. Sam went to the library (ten minutes).
4. Sam has been at the library (three hours).
5. Jim lived in Hawaii (many years).
6. Jim has lived in Hawaii (sixty years).
7. The kids played outside (45 minutes).
8. The kids played outside (two days).

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Grammar Basics: Unit 17 – More Present Perfect (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/15
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Exercise: Complete the following sentences.

Example:

  • He is vice president of the bank. He __________ vice president for 10 years. ==> He has been vice president for 10 years.

 

1. I know Tom. I’ve known him since we were classmates in grade school.
2. Jan is on vacation. She’s been on vacation since last Thursday.
3. Mark lives in Colorado. He’s lived there since he graduated from college.
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I’ve been afraid of them ever since a dog bit me when I was ten.
5. Sally is divorced. She’s been divorced for five years.
6. The wind is blowing. It’s been blowing hard all afternoon.
7. Hannah is doing math. She’s been doing math for 20 minutes.
8. Joe is shoveling snow. He’s been shoveling snow since 6 a.m.
9. We’re working on a project. We’ve been working on it since yesterday.
10. They’re baking cookies. They’ve been baking cookies all week.

Exercise: Choose the correct form.

Example:

  • Jack and Jill (are married / have been married) since 2001. ==> Jack and Jill have been married since 2001.

1. Our teacher has been sick all week.
2. Tom has played the piano every day for the past five years.
3. The secretary is typing the letter for me now.
4. Jennifer works at the library on Tuesdays.
5. We have lived in the red house for 12 years.
6. Edward has been in London several times.
7. The principal has known about the cheating for a long time.
8. Jake has been cleaning his bedroom very well these days.
9. Mary has been eating broccoli since the doctor told her it’s good for her.
10. They have been waiting for the bus for 15 minutes.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 17 – More Present Perfect

Posted on 2012/02/14
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As we saw last time, the Present Perfect is used to talk about a time from the past until now. In other words, something that started in the past and is still in effect now uses the Present Perfect. In the following examples, note that the question “How long have you…?” is always in present perfect.

Examples:

Are you sick? (simple present)
—Yes.

How long have you been sick? (present perfect)
—I have been sick for a week. (I first got sick several days ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still sick.)

Are you married? (simple present)
—Yes.

How long have you been married? (present perfect)
—I’ve been married for eight years. (I first got married several years ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still married.)

Where do you live? (simple present)
—I live in Los Angeles.

How long have you lived there? (present perfect)
—I’ve lived there since 1995. (I first started living there several years ago, and the effects are still with me – I’m still living there.)

Do you have a cat? (simple present)
—Yes.

How long have you had a cat? (present perfect)
—We’ve had a cat for a couple of months. (We first got the cat several weeks ago, and the effects are still with us – we still have the cat.)

We can also have the present perfect continuous form for present continuous situations that started in the past and are still in effect.

Examples:

How long have you been studying Korean?
—I’ve been studying Korean for eight years.

How long has it been snowing?
—It’s been snowing all day.

How long has the baby been crying?
—He’s been crying for the past 30 minutes.

Exercise: Complete the following sentences.

Example:

  • He is vice president of the bank. He __________ vice president for 10 years. ==> He has been vice president for 10 years.

1. I know Tom. I__________ him since we were classmates in grade school.
2. Jan is on vacation. She__________ on vacation since last Thursday.
3. Mark lives in Colorado. He__________ there since he graduated from college.
4. I’m afraid of dogs. I__________ of them ever since a dog bit me when I was ten.
5. Sally is divorced. She__________ for five years.
6. The wind is blowing. It__________ hard all afternoon.
7. Hannah is doing math. She__________ math for 20 minutes.
8. Joe is shoveling snow. He__________ snow since 6 a.m.
9. We’re working on a project. We__________ on it since yesterday.
10. They’re baking cookies. They__________ cookies all week.

Exercise: Choose the correct form.

Example:

  • Jack and Jill (are married / have been married) since 2001. ==> Jack and Jill have been married since 2001.

1. Our teacher (is sick / has been sick) all week.
2. Tom (plays / has played) the piano every day for the past five years.
3. The secretary (is typing / has been typing) the letter for me now.
4. Jennifer (works / has worked) at the library on Tuesdays.
5. We (live / have lived) in the red house for 12 years.
6. Edward (is / has been) in London several times.
7. The principal (knows / has known) about the cheating for a long time.
8. Jake (is cleaning / has been cleaning) his bedroom very well these days.
9. Mary (is eating / has been eating) broccoli since the doctor told her it’s good for her.
10. They (are waiting / have been waiting) for the bus for 15 minutes.

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Grammar Basics: Unit 16 – Present Perfect (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/10
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Exercises: Put the verbs in the present perfect.

Examples:

  • (I / finish) my homework, so I can relax now. ==> I’ve finished my homework, so I can relax now.
  • (She / never / take) piano lessons. ==> She’s never taken piano lessons.
  • (you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?

1. John has written a letter to the newspaper.
2. Mother has told Tom five times to pick up his clothes.
3. Sue’s never come home this late before.
4. We’ve gone to Michigan for vacation every year since I was a child.
5. Have you ever gotten dressed up for a fancy party?
6. I’ve never cooked a turkey for Thanksgiving.
7. Hasn’t Mary driven a car before?
8. Mr. Smith has never washed his car.
9. I’ve never been to the library.
10. She’s never ridden on an airplane before.
11. Haven’t you ever seen an elephant before?
12. Rob has never seen her wear glasses.
13. Has Dad come home yet?
14. That’s the first time I’ve ever been late for school.
15. The baby has never stayed up this late.
16. Have you ever made a pie?
17. Kathy has never taken a typing class before.
18. Have you ever seen such a sight?
19. James has never skipped school in his life.
20. Have you ever played baseball?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 16 – Present Perfect

Posted on 2012/02/09
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S + have/has + V (past participle) is the present perfect (have + past participle).

The past participle for regular verbs is –ed, the same as the simple past. For irregular verbs, the past participle is sometimes the same as the simple past. Sometimes, it is different – check out the section on Irregular Verbs for a list of common irregular verbs.

We have the following table of have + past participle, along with the contracted forms:

Positive:

I have jumped (I’ve jumped)
you have jumped (you’ve jumped)
he / she / it has jumped (he’s / she’s / it’s jumped)
we have jumped (we’ve jumped)
they have jumped (they’ve jumped)

Negative:

I have not jumped (I’ve not jumped // I haven’t jumped)
you have not jumped (you’ve not jumped // you haven’t jumped)
he / she / it has not jumped (he’s / she’s / it’s not jumped // he / she / it hasn’t jumped)
we have not jumped (we’ve not jumped // we haven’t jumped)
they have not jumped (they’ve not jumped // they haven’t jumped)

For questions, switch the subject and “have”: Have / Has S ~ ?

I have jumped ==> Have I jumped?
you have jumped ==> Have you jumped?
he / she / it has jumped ==> Has he / she / it jumped?
we have jumped ==> Have we jumped?
they have jumped ==> Have they jumped?

For negative questions, use the contracted form: Haven’t / Hasn’t S ~?

I have not jumped ==> Haven’t I jumped?
you have not jumped ==> Haven’t you jumped?
he / she / it has not jumped ==> Hasn’t he / she / it jumped?
we have not jumped ==> Haven’t we jumped?
they have not jumped ==> Haven’t they jumped?

When do we use Present Perfect?

The present perfect is used to talk about a time from the past until now:

Examples:

Have you seen the new movie?
—No, I haven’t.

Have you gone to college?
—Yes, I went to college when I was 23.

How often has Mary been to Europe?
—She has traveled to Europe a number of times.

Pussy Cat, Pussy Cat, where have you been?
—I’ve been to London to visit the Queen.

I have had several jobs since I graduated from school.
Tom has had bad luck ever since he bought that new car.

We can also use “ever” in questions to ask if something has happened at any time in a person’s life. We can answer with “never” if it has not happened at all:

Have you ever been to Korea?
—Yes, I’ve been there once.
—No, I’ve never been there. I hope to go someday.

Have you ever eaten squid?
—Yes, I’ve eaten it at a seafood restaurant.
—No, I’ve never tried it.

Exercises: Put the verbs in the present perfect.

Examples:

  • (I / finish) my homework, so I can relax now. ==> I’ve finished my homework, so I can relax now.
  • (She / never / take) piano lessons. ==> She’s never taken piano lessons.
  • (you / ever / go) skiing? ==> Have you ever gone skiing?

1. (John / write) a letter to the newspaper.
2. (Mother / tell) Tom five times to pick up his clothes.
3. (Sue / never / come) home this late before.
4. (We / go) to Michigan for vacation every year since I was a child.
5. (you / ever / get) dressed up for a fancy party?
6. (I / never / cook) a turkey for Thanksgiving.
7. (Mary / not / drive) a car before?
8. (Mr. Smith / never / wash) his car.
9. (I / never / be) to the library.
10. (She / never / ride) on an airplane before.
11. (you / not / ever / see) an elephant before?
12. (Rob / never / see) her wear glasses.
13. (Dad / come) home yet?
14. That’s the first time (I / ever / be) late for school.
15. (The baby / never / stay) up this late.
16. (you / ever / make) a pie?
17. (Kathy / never / take) a typing class before.
18. (you / ever / see) such a sight?
19. (James / never / skip) school in his life.
20. (you / ever / play) baseball?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 15 – I used to… (Solutions)

Posted on 2012/02/08
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Exercises: Complete the following sentences. Use “used to” or the simple present as necessary.

Examples:

  • Mary has short hair, but she (have) long hair. ==> Mary has short hair, but she used to have long hair.
  • John (be) fat, but now he (be) skinny. ==> John used to be fat, but now he is skinny.

1. I used to play the piano every day, but now I don’t have time.
2. Kim used to work in a restaurant. Now she works at a bank.
3. What did you use to do with your friends when you were a child?
4. When I was little, I used to hate broccoli.
5. Tom likes to play tennis. He plays it every day.
6. Before we moved, we used to live in Wisconsin.
7. Did you use to walk to school as a child?
8. William used to be rich, but he lost all his money in the stock market.
9. Last summer I used to get up early so I could exercise before breakfast.
10. What job did you use to have while you were in college?

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Grammar Basics: Unit 15 – I used to…

Posted on 2012/02/07
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The phrase

S used to V …

indicates some past condition or past activity that does not happen any more.

Examples:

I used to study German (, but I don’t anymore now).
When John was in college, he used to work nights.
Sam is very athletic (, but he used to be lazy).

Negative form:

did not (didn’t) use to ~

Examples:

Mary didn’t use to like Chinese food.
Pam didn’t use to listen to classical music.
We didn’t use to watch much TV.

Question form:

did S use to ~ ?

Examples:

Did you use to ride your bike when you were young?
Did Dad use to work on a farm as a boy?
Did the teacher use to give the class lots of homework?

Note: “used to” is used only for the past, never the present.

Exercises: Complete the following sentences. Use “used to” or the simple present as necessary.

Examples:

  • Mary has short hair, but she (have) long hair. ==> Mary has short hair, but she used to have long hair.
  • John (be) fat, but now he (be) skinny. ==> John used to be fat, but now he is skinny.

1. I (play) the piano every day, but now I (have / not) time.
2. Kim (work) in a restaurant. Now she (work) at a bank.
3. What did you (do) with your friends when you (be) a child?
4. When I (be) little, I (hate) broccoli.
5. Tom (like) to play tennis. He (play) it every day.
6. Before we (move), we (live) in Wisconsin.
7. Did you (walk) to school as a child?
8. William (be) rich, but he (lose) all his money in the stock market.
9. Last summer I (get) up early so I (can) exercise before breakfast.
10. What job did you (have) while you (be) in college?

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