Page 15 - Advanced English Grammar in Use

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( i (I did) (1)
Present perfect
Present perfect
When we talk about something that happened in the past, but we don't specify precisely when
When we talk about something that happened in the past, but we don't specify precisely when it it
happened (perhaps we don't know, or it is not important to say when it happened), we use the
happened (perhaps we don't know, or it is not important to say when it happened), we use the
present perfect (but see E below):
present perfect (but see E below):
A French yachtsman has broken the record for sailing round the world single-handed.
• ¢ A French yachtsman has broken the record for sailing round the world single-handed.
I
have complained about the traffic before.
• ¢ I have complained about the traffic before.
When we use the present perfect, it suggests some kind of connection between what happened
When we use the present perfect, it suggests some kind of connection between what happened in in
Often we are interested in the way that something that happened in
the past, and the present time.
the past, and the present time. Often we are interested in the way that something that happened in
the past affects the situation that exists now:
the past affects the situation that exists now:
I've washed my hands so that I can help you with the cooking.
• * I've washed my hands so that I can help you with the cooking.
We can't go ahead with the meeting, because very few people have shown any interest.
• ¢ We can't go ahead with the meeting, because very few people have shown any interest.
The connection with the present may also be that something happened recently, with
The connection with the present may also be that something happened recently, with a a
consequence for the present:
consequence for the present:
I've found the letter you were looking for. Here it is.
• * I've found the letter you were looking for. Here it is.
My ceiling has fallen in and the kitchen is flooded. Come quickly!
• ¢ My ceiling has fallen in and the kitchen is flooded. Come quickly!
When we talk about how long an existing situation has lasted, even if we don't give a precise
When we talk about how /ong an existing situation has lasted, even if we don't give a precise
length of time, we use the present perfect (but see F below):
length of time, we use the present perfect (but see F below):
They've grown such a lot since we last saw them.
• ¢ They've grown such a lot since we last saw them.
Prices have fallen sharply over the past six months.
g • ¢ Prices have fallen sharply over the past six months.
We've recently started to walk to work instead of taking the bus.
• ¢ We've recently started to walk to work instead of taking the bus.
We often use the present perfect to say that an action or event has been repeated a number of of
We often use the present perfect to say that an action or event has been repeated a number
times up to now (see also Unit 4B):
times up to now (see also Unit 4B):
They've been to Chile three times.
I've often wished I'd learned to read music.
• ¢ They've been to Chile three times. • * I've often wished I'd learned to read music.
Past simple
Past simple
When we want to indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past, we use the past
When we want to indicate that something happened at a specific time in the past, we use the past
simple. We can either say when it happened, using a time adverb, or assume that the hearer
simple. We can either say when it happened, using a time adverb, or assume that the hearer
already knows when it happened or can understand this from the context:
already knows when it happened or can understand this from the context:
She arrived at Kennedy Airport at 2 o'clock this morning.
• ¢ She arrived at Kennedy Airport at 2 o'clock this morning.
Jane left just a few minutes ago.
• ¢ Jane left just a few minutes ago.
Jim decided to continue the course, even though it was proving very difficult.
• ¢ Jim decided to continue the course, even though it was proving very difficult.
We use the past simple for situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now:
We use the past simple for situations that existed for a period of time in the past, but not now:
When I was younger I played badminton for my local team.
• ¢ When I was younger I played badminton for my local team.
The Pharaohs ruled Egypt for thousands of years.
a Present patectand past simple (2)and (3) => Past coniinuous
• ¢ The Pharaohs ruled Egypt for thousands of years.
If we are interested in when a present situation began rather than how long it has been going on
If we are interested in when a present situation began rather than how Jong it has been going on
for, we use the past simple. Compare:
for, we use the past simple. Compare:
I started to get the pains three weeks ago.
I've had the pains for three weeks now.
I've had the pains for three weeks now.
• ¢ I started to get the pains three weeks ago.
• °*
When did you arrive in Britain?
How long have you been in Britain?
How long have you been in Britain?
• ¢ When did you arrive in Britain?
• *
•However, we also use the past simple to talk about how long something went on for if the action
*However, we also use the past simple to talk about how long something went on for if the action
or event is no longer going on (see also Unit 4C):
or event is no longer going on (see also Unit 4C):
I stayed with my grandparents for six months. (= I am no longer staying there)
• ¢ I stayed with my grandparents for six months. (= I am no longer staying there)
'He spent some time in Paris when he was younger.' 'How long did he live there?'
• ¢ 'He spent some time in Paris when he was younger.' 'How long did he live there?"
Present perfect and past simple (2) and (3) =
Past continuous and past simple =
=
pastsimple
and