The main grammar in this unit is the PRESENT PERFECT.
PRESENT PERFECT + EVER / NEVER
Use the present perfect + ever to ask questions about experiences in someone's life.
Have you ever taken dance classes?
Yes, I have. I took 6 weeks of lessons before my wedding!
Has your brother ever been to India?
No, he hasn't.
Don't use ever in the answer. Only use it in questions.
If you want, you can use before in the answer.
Yes, I've ever taken dance classes.
Yes, I've taken dance classes before.
Use the present perfect + never to talk about things you have not done at any time in your life.
I've never studied Italian. I studied English and Spanish in school, but Italian wasn't available.
He's never heard of Michael Jackson. I can't believe he doesn't know the King of Pop!
They've never been surfing. They're afraid of the ocean.
She's never told a lie. I know we can trust her.
§
PRESENT PERFECT + FOR /SINCE
We often use for and since with
perfect tenses:
- We use for to talk about
a period of time: five minutes, two weeks, six
years
- We use since to talk about
a point in past time: 9 o'clock, 1st January,
Monday
FOR
A
period of time
|
SINCE
A
point in past time
|
- - - - - - - - - - - -
|
- • - - - - - - - - - -
|
20 minutes
|
6.15pm
|
three days
|
Monday
|
6 months
|
January
|
4 years
|
1994
|
2 centuries
|
1800
|
a long time
|
I left school
|
ever
|
the beginning of time
|
Look at these example sentences
using for and since with the Present Perfect
tense:
- I have been here for twenty
minutes.
- I have been here since 9
o'clock.
- John hasn't called for six
months.
- John hasn't called since February.
- He has worked in New York for a
long time.
- He has worked in New York since he
left school.
Here you have a list of websites where you will find tons of exercises, games and more for practising. Click and enjoy!
ONLINE EXERCISES:
