Present perfect vs. simple past
Change the sentence to present perfect.
We arrived.
We have arrived.
Choose recently, lately, or just.
My sister ____ completed a marathon! She's changing into clean clothes and comfortable shoes now.
just
From the context, we see that this action happened only moments ago.
Complete the sentence using present perfect continuous.
We _________ (study) verb tenses in class recently.
We have been studying verb tenses in class recently.
Change the sentence to present perfect.
He got married three times.
He has gotten married three times.
Where can you add the word recently into the sentence? Give at least two positions.
Portland has been charging a new tax.
1) At the beginning
2) between has and been
3) at the end
Complete the sentences with the present perfect continuous.
a) The oceans _________ (get) warmer for many years.
b) The kids ________ (not, eat) vegetables recently.
a) The oceans have been getting warmer for many years.
b) The kids have not been eating vegetables recently.
Thousands of students ________ the ESOL program.
Thousands of students have finished the ESOL program.
Explanation: this is an open time period. More students continue to finish the ESOL program.
Complete the sentence with the correct tense, and add recently, lately, or just at the end.
There _______ (be) more accidents on New Year's Eve _______.There have been more accidents on New Year's Eve recently/lately.
Explanation: present perfect + recently/lately means "over a period of time, in recent years)
Complete the sentences with the correct tense.
a. How many years ______ (live) in your country?
b. How many years ______ (live) in the U.S.?
a. How many years did you live in your country?
b. How many years have you been living in the U.S.?
Explanation: sentence a) refers to a closed time period. Sentence b) is an open time period because you live in the U.S. now.
Choose the correct tense. Use the verb cook.
In 1968, the chef ________ more than one thousand dinners.
In 1968, the chef cooked more than one thousand dinners.
Explanation: the year 1968 is over, so it's a closed time period. The chef cannot cook more dinners in 1968.
Explain the difference between recently, lately, and just.
What is one difference in meaning?
What is one difference in position in the sentence?
Many possible correct answers.
Recently and lately have a similar meaning, but lately can only be used at the beginning or end of a sentence.
Just refers to the very recent past - usually within the past hour.
Which sentence is correct?
a) He has always been working hard.
b) He has always worked hard.
B) is correct. Use the present perfect, not the present perfect continuous, with the adverbs always and never.
Explain the difference in meaning. In other words, what is the implication of each sentence?
a) She ate many chocolate bars in her life.
b) She has eaten many chocolate bars in her life.
The simple past shows a closed time period. It means that she will not eat more chocolate bars. With the time phrase 'in her life,' this sentence implies that she is dead! The time period of her life is closed.
The present perfect shows an open time period. It shows that she may eat more chocolate bars. It implies that she will probably eat more of them!
Have you tried any new foods _______? (choose an adverb)
a) No, I ________. (choose the correct tense)
b) Yes, I ______ (try - choose the correct tense) chicken feet a few weeks ago. c) ___________ (you, adv, try) them?
recently/lately
a) No, I haven't. [open time period]
b) Yes, I tried chicken feet a few weeks ago. [specific, closed time frame]
c) Have you ever tried them? [open time period]
Explain the problem with this sentence.
She has been preferring to wake up early since she was a child.
This sentence should use present perfect, not present perfect continuous, because it has a stative verb: to prefer.
We usually don't use present perfect continuous with stative verbs.