Unit 3 Present Perfect

The Present Perfect refers to the present and is not used in narration where reference is made to past events. The Present Perfect is used in present-time contexts, i.e. conversations, newspaper and radio reports, lectures and letters. The Present Perfect has three uses: Present Perfect I, Present Perfect II and Present Perfect III.

1) Present Perfect I is used to express an accomplished action which is viewed from the moment of speaking as part of the present situation.

• I've had a talk with him.

The action expressed in the Present Perfect is regarded as already accomplished, it belongs to the present. It becomes obvious from the periphrasis:

• I've heard the doctor's opinion → I know the doctor's opinion.

• She's gone off to the woods. → She is in the woods.

The Present Perfect is used to name a new action, whereas the Past Indefinite is used to refer back to a definite action. Present Perfect I may also be used to sum up a situation.

• "I've done bad things," I said.

In accordance with its main function — just to name an accomplished action — the Present Perfect is generally used when the time of the action is not given. Sometimes, there may be no indication of past time, but the Present Perfect cannot be used because reference is made to happenings which are definite. In this case the use of the Past Indefinite is very common.

• Did you sleep well?

• I didn't understand you.

• Did you enjoy the play?

It is possible to use the Present Perfect when there is an adverbial modifier of time in the sentence that denotes a period of time which is not over yet: today, this morning, this week, this month, this year, etc.

• What Rosanna has done tonight is clear enough.

• I have had only one new dress this summer. (This summer is not over yet.)

If the period is over the Past Indefinite is used.

• Did you see the letter in the "Times" this morning? (It is no longer morning.)

• I haven't had time to look at a paper today. (Today is not over yet.)

Sometimes an adverbial modifier of place points to a past period of time.

• Did you see him at the theatre (= when you were at the theatre)

The Present Perfect may be found with certain adverbs of indefinite time and frequency such as just ('только что'), not ... yet, already, before, always, ever, never, often, seldom, recently, lately, of late, etc.

Note: the use of the Past Indefinite with just now:

• I told you just now I had never had time for much fun.

It is sufficient to use the Present Perfect alone to express an accomplished action. The addition of already is not necessary.

It is the Past Indefinite that is used in questions introduced by when.

• When did you actually arrive?

• When did you change your mind?

The Past Indefinite is also used in special questions beginning with where and how when they refer to the past events.

• Where did your uncle receive his guests?

• "How did he get in?" I asked.

• Where did I leave my hat?

The question Where have you been? can be asked of the person who has just come.

• "Hello, Mum. I'm sorry I'm late" "Where have you been?"

In all other cases it should be Where were you?

• "Did the party go off nicely?"- "I don't know. I wasn't there."- "Where were you?"

The verb to be is used in the meaning 'to visit', 'to go' in the Present Perfect:

• He has been to Ireland too.

• Have you been to a symphony concert?

2) Present Perfect II serves to express an action which began before the moment of speaking and continues into it or up to it. This grammatical meaning is mainly expressed by the Present Perfect Continuous. But the Present Perfect Non-Continuous is found in the following cases:

a) Its use is compulsory with stative verbs

• I've loved her since she was a child.

b) With some dynamic verbs of durative meaning the Present Perfect is sometimes used instead of the Present Perfect Continuous with little difference in meaning.

• It's a pretty room. I've slept in it for fifteen years. (= I’ve lived)

c) The Present Perfect is preferred to the Present Perfect Continuous in negative sentences:

• "Shall we sit down a little? We haven't sat here for ages."

Present Perfect II is associated with certain time indications: for an hour, for many years, for the last few days, for a long time, for so long, for ages, in years, in a long while, these three years, all this week, all along, so long, all one's life, etc.

• The picture has been mine for years and years.

In the clause introduced by since the Past Indefinite is used to indicate the starting point of an action:

• I haven't played much football since I left schools

We sometimes find the Present Perfect in both parts:

• I've loved you since I've known you.

The indication of time is necessary to Present Perfect II because its meaning in most cases could be changed.

Cf. I've been taught to do it for three years.

I have been taught to do it.

Distinguish between the use of the Present Perfect and the Past Indefinite when the period of duration is expressed by for-phrase. If the period of duration belongs to the past time sphere, the Past Indefinite is used. It is only if the period of duration comes close to the mo­ment of speaking or includes it that the Present Perfect is used.

Cf. I have lived like this for two years, and I can't stand it any more.

I went to the University here for four years and got a degree.

3) Present Perfect III is found in adverbial clauses of time and condition introduced by the conjunctions when, before, after, as soon as, till and until where it is used to express a future action. It shows that the action of the subordinate clause will be accomplished before the action of the principal clause. This use of the Present Perfect is structurally dependent.

• As soon as we have had some tea we shall go to inspect your house.

• I’ll take you back in my car but not till I've made you some coffee.

Sometimes the Present Simple is found in this type of clauses in the same meaning as the Present Perfect. The choice of the form depends on the lexical meaning of the verb. With durative verbs the Present Perfect is necessary.

• When you have had your tea, we'll see about it.

• I can tell you whether the machine is good or bad when I have tried it.

With terminative verbs the use of both forms is possible:

Cf. He says when he retires he'll grow roses.

When I've finished this I must go and put the baby to bed.

EXERCISES:

Ex. 8. Explain the use of Present Perfect I* in the following sentences:

1. Oliver came shyly up to him. "Sir, I've written a poem." "Good," said the headmaster. "May I see it?" 2. "Come on, ladies," he shouted, "there's nothing to be afraid of. The mice have left the room." 3. He thinks it's pure nerves and he's given me pills. 4. "Your hands are probably soiled. Go and wash them." "I have washed them." 5. Sam, what's come over you? You make me sad talking like this. 6. "Do you know the man?" "I’ve met him." 7. "Where is Gladys?" "I've just had a message. Her aunt's had a stroke and she's had to go down to Somerset." 8. "Well, it's very nice to see you anyway. I've been lonely." 9. "I don't know if any of you are interested," he said, "but the town has fallen." 10. "Have you brought sandwiches?" "No." "I don't know where I'll get lunch." 11. "You look a bit shaken. Are you all right?" "It's been a pretty awful day, that's all." 12. I don't know how often I've told you that I don't believe in this. 13. I’ve tried to be good. 14. As they saw off their last guest, he said to his wife: "I think everything has gone off fairly well, don't you?" "Everything has been perfect," she declared. 15. "What do you know about the life in Quebec?" "Quite a lot. We have had letters from my uncle describing it." 16. "Does your little daughter miss her nurse?" "No, she has forgotten her." 17. "Are you keen on sailing?" "I have never done any." 18. "You know, I'm thinking of writing my memoirs," she said, "I've had an adventurous life." 19. "Well, after all," she said, "he knows he has been horrid to you and he is trying to make up for it." 20. "Hallo, Mum and Dad," he called out. "Are you too busy to see what I've caught?" 21. "Have you heard Uncle Finch play?" "I'm sorry to say, no." 22. Doctor Diver, my daughter isn't right in the head. I've had lots of specialists and nurses for her and she's taken a couple of rest cures but the thing has grown too big for me and I've been strongly recommended to come to you.

Ex. 9. Use the Present Perfect or the Present Indefinite in the following clauses of time referring to the future:

1. All right. I'll come down when I (to put) on a fresh collar. 2. When he (to be) off duty he'll go there. 3. "I must know where they are and I shall not rest till I (to see) them again," he thought. 4. "No more," she said to the dog, "but when I (to finish) you may have the bone." 5. Go on with your picture. We'll have a look at it when we (to return) from the party. 6. "I'll hand the book over when I (to read) it," he said. 7. "Has he gone?" she asked as soon as her sister entered. "No. He refuses to go till he (to see) you." 8. I will not leave you till we (to talk) this thing out. 9. Nobody knows we are here. We may stay here till we (to die). 10. You won't think so when you (to see) a bit more of it. 11. I'll lock the door when you (to go). 12. When I (to wake) I'll go for a swim. 13. I know that when she (to refuse) to help him he'll make some scene. 14. I'll come when my guests (to go). 15. Please don't start watching TV till we (to have) supper. 16. You'll find it lonely here after the sun (to set). 17. Look, call him up again when he (to finish) eating. 18. "You'll find," said Ted, "that you'll long for home when you (to leave) it." 19. I'll keep it with me till we (to decide) what is to be done with it. 20. "I'll give you some paper and brushes and let you make a picture when we (to ask) your mother," she said to the girl.