PRESENT PERFECT
THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE
- it is used to describe a recent event without a definite time; the event is connected
with the present, because the result is present, the action is complete
– I´ve broken my arm, as you can see. = everybody can see the result
– Have you read „Catch 22“? = máte přečtenou?, ekvivalent v present tense-
Do you know?
– Somebody has let the cat in. = the cat is in
= whenever there is a present perfect sentence, you can say a similar
sentence in the present tense
– He has written 10 novels so far.(dosud) = výsledek, inventura
- this tense shows a connection between past and present, the event started in the past and has continued up to the present
the simple form is used for more permanent actions:
P
– I have always liked this sort of music. = měl jsem a mám
– My parents have lived in the house all their lives. = žili a žijí
the event may have been repeated within a period of time up to now:
P
– She has been to the States 7 times.
– She has travelled a lot in Europe.
– This is the second time I have eaten octopus. = inventura
THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
- the events started in the past and last up to the present but are more temporary this time
– He´s been living in the flat for three months.
×They have lived in their house all their lives.
– The boy has been standing on the corner for half an hour.
×The castle has stood on the hill for 50 years.
- the continuous form can suggest that the action is not complete or has recently finished
– Why are you so dirty? I´ve been decorating the kitchen. = maluju, maloval
jsem kuchyň a kdyby jsi mě nebyl vyrušil, tak bych maloval dál
×I´ve decorated. = už jsem vymaloval
– Why is your hair wet? I´ve been swimming.
– You´ve been smoking! = there´s the smell of smoke on your breath
= výsledky činnosti, kterou jsme se zabývali
Who has been drinking my juice? = kdo upíjel?
The glass is empty? Who has drunk my juice? = vypil
Time expressions
- We´ve been in the classroom for(+ period of time) three hours/ since(+point of time) 9 o´clock.
- Have you ever been to Italy? How long have you been in London?
- I´ve finished. = jsem hotov, skončil jsem
- Have you finished? = už jste skončili?
- !!! I´ve already(silné!!!) finished. = sooner than expected
- Have you read the book yet? = I told you to – řekla jsem vám, abyste to udělali
= a reference to something already mentioned
- We have met before. = už se známe
- You have already seen it! = ty už jsi to viděl
- I haven´t seen them lately/ recently. = PP i v jednom bodě
- I met him recently = the other day
- He has just fallen downstairs. × He fell downstairs just now.
- It´s been/ It´s two years since I last went to the dentist. 2000 2002(P)
- I haven´t been to the dentist for ages.
- When did you last go to the cinema?= kdy jsi byl naposledy v kině?
- He´s been to London. – byl v Londýně( už je zpátky) × He´s gone to London- odjel do Londýna a je tam ještě pořád
- Since – He left his wife 3 years ago.
She hasn´t seen him since( adverbium) / since then He left her She hasn´t seen him since. P
( preposition)- od tehdy/ since he left her .
KEY POINTS
The Present Perfect Simple stresses the idea of completion ( dokončení) or even achievement.
- I´ve polished the car. = dokonavý tvar, Look how beautiful it is. = prezentace výsledku
The Present Perfect Continuous emphasizes duration, continuation.
- I´ve been polishing the car. = činnost, kterou jsem se právě zabýval – This is how I have spent the last hour. – It doesn´t say if it is finished or not.
Translation
- What a mess! What have you been doing?
- That´s the first time I have eaten lobster.
- I have left my umbrella in the train.
- It´s hot in the kitchen. Mum has been cooking.
- It hasn´t rained for a month.
- You have been crying!
- I have just seen a ghost.
- We have known each other since we were childs.
- When did they get married?
- It´s been ages since I last went to a concert.
- They have discovered oil in Wales.
- I´ve been thinking of you a lot lately.
- I´ve told you twice before.
- Why did you buy the car?
- Somebody has been using my bike.
- I can´t remember how long I have had this watch.
- He´s been wearing the coat since he bough it last year.
- I´ve been running so I have pain in my leg.
- Who wrote this letter?- kdo napsal ten dopis?
- Who has written the letter? – kdo už napsal ten dopis?
- What have you done to your hair?