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8

Unit 8: Mixed conditionals
Stop using the present perfect too much!

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  1. 1Go beyond intermediate with our new video course
  2. 2Reported speech in 90 seconds!
  3. 3If or whether?
  4. 45 ways to use 'would'
  5. 5Let and allow
  6. 6Passive voice
  7. 7Unless
  8. 8Mixed conditionals
  9. 9The zero article - in 90 seconds
  10. 10The indefinite article - in 90 seconds
  11. 11The. That's right - the! Learn all about it in 90 seconds
  12. 12The continuous passive
  13. 13Future perfect
  14. 14Need + verb-ing
  15. 15Have something done
  16. 16Wish
  17. 17Word stress
  18. 18Different ways of saying 'if'
  19. 19Passive reporting structures
  20. 20The subjunctive
  21. 21When and if
  22. 22Inversion
  23. 23Phrasal verbs
  24. 24The future
  25. 25Modals in the past
  26. 26Narrative tenses
  27. 27Phrasal verb myths
  28. 28Conditionals review
  29. 29Used to - review
  30. 30Linking words of contrast

Session 4

Present perfect

The present perfect can be a tricky verb form to get right, even if there is a similar form in your own language. It could be tempting to use it too much but follow Tim's 'perfect' top tips to help you use it correctly.

Wayiitiwwan marii boqonnaa kana keessaa

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Wayitii marii qabxii 4

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    Activity 1
  1. Activity 1

Activity 1

Stop saying ...

Present perfect

The present perfect is one of those tricky English verb forms. Some languages don't have anything like it. Some have something similar but it is often used in a different way.

Jeonghyeon from Korea wants to know how he can improve his use of the present perfect and stop using it too much. Tim has some top tips to help, as well as a really bad joke.

Vidiyoo daawwadhuuti shaakala kana xumuri

Summary

Use the present perfect to talk about:

  • life experiences:

    I've been to Italy.
    She's lived in Japan.
    I've never eaten meat.
  • recent past actions that are important now:

    I've lost my keys.
    My sister's broken her leg.
    I'm sorry, I've forgotten your name.

  • past situations that are still happening now:

    I've been here since January.
    We've been married for three years.
    It's been snowing since this morning.
  • talking about recent past events with 'just', 'yet' and 'already':

    I've just finished a great book.
    I've already read that one.
    Have you eaten yet?

Very important
Don't use the present perfect for activities, states and situations in the past which are completed or finished.

I went to Italy last year.
My sister broke her leg last year.
We got married in 2014.
I ate before I came out.

To do

See how you do with the present perfect in our quiz.

Perfect or not?

5 Questions

For each sentence decide of the use of the present perfect is correct or not, then drag the sentence to the appropriate column.

Baga gammadde! Qormaata xumurteetta
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
x / y

Perfect or not?

5 Questions

For each sentence decide of the use of the present perfect is correct or not, then drag the sentence to the appropriate column.

Baga gammadde! Qormaata xumurteetta
Excellent!Great job!Carraa badaa!Qabxii argatte:
x / y

End of Session 4

That's the end of this session. We hope you have learnt something!

Thanks to the staff and students of Avalon School of English for their help with this programme.

Next

Now it's time to pop in to the White Elephant, BBC Learning English's comedy restaurant. What's on the menu today?

Caasluga kutaa kanaa

  • Top tips

    Use the present perfect:

    • life experiences
    • recent past actions that are important now
    • past situations that are still happening now
    • talking about recent past events with 'just', 'yet' and 'already' 

    Don't use the present perfect for actions and activities completed in the past.

Wabii caasluga guutuu agarsiisi

Session Vocabulary

Wabii jechoota guutuu agarsiisi

Wiirtuu gadi-buufatan

Qabiyyee koorsiiwwan dhihoo kanaa