VerbsA2
Present perfect: have done
have/has + past participle for experiences and results connected to now; ever, never, just, already, yet
Learning Goal
I can talk about experiences and present results with the present perfect and its markers.
Exam Skills:A2 Key ListeningB1 Preliminary Reading
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
I've just made coffee — would you like a cup?
I've just made coffee — would you like a cup?
Have you ever tried haggis? — Never, and I'm not starting today.
Have you ever tried haggis? — Never, and I'm not starting today.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
have/has + past participle links past events to now:
| Use | Example |
|---|---|
| experience (ever/never) | Have you ever been to Wales? |
| result now | I've lost my keys (= I don't have them). |
| just / already / yet | She's just left. Have you finished yet? |
No finished-time words: with yesterday, in 2020, last week switch to the past simple.
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Practice Exercises
- Perfect + finished time: *I've seen him yesterday → I saw him yesterday
- *Did you ever been...? → Have you ever been...?
- gone vs been: He's gone to Rome (still there) × He's been to Rome (experience)
Common Error Patterns
Perfect with yesterday/last week
Finished time → past simple
been/gone swapped
gone = still away; been = came back
I've just made coffee — would you like a cup?
I've just made coffee — would you like a cup?
just + result relevant right now.
Have you ever tried haggis? — Never, and I'm not starting today.
Have you ever tried haggis? — Never, and I'm not starting today.
ever/never experience frame.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A2 course exercises
Frequently asked questions
- When is Present perfect: have done used?
- No finished-time words: with yesterday, in 2020, last week switch to the past simple.
- What are common mistakes with Present perfect: have done?
- Perfect + finished time: *I've seen him yesterday → I saw him yesterday *Did you ever been...? → Have you ever been...? gone vs been: He's gone to Rome (still there) × He's been to Rome (experience)