The Advanced Grammar Book - Jocelyn Steer, Karen Carlisi 1998

Chapter 3 Taking It Easy

• The Perfect Tenses

“Don’t Worry, Be Happy”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. How do you like to spend your free time?

2. When you are feeling tense, what do you do to relax?

3. If you won a free trip around the world, where you would go? What would you do?

Objectives

In this chapter you will learn.

1. To form the present perfect, the pas perfect, and the future perfect tenses.

2. To recognize differences in uses be ween simple and perfect verb tenses.

3. To use appropriate time words with each pe^{rfect verb tense.}

Preview

DIRECTIONS: Read the following conversation between Cheryl and Patty, who work in the same office. They are talking about where they went on their honeymoons. Find out why Patty can’t join Cheryl on her vacation.

PATTY: Where did you and Ted go on your honeymoon?

CHERYL: We went to Las Vegas. Can you believe it?

PATTY: Las Vegas! I’ve never been there before. What was it like?

CHERYL: It sure wasn’t what we had expected. Neither one of us had been there before, so we were surprised at how crowded and noisy it was. Some people think it’s a romantic place, but we didn’t like it. How about you? Where did you go?

PATTY: We went to Hawaii. Now that was romantic! Have you ever been there?

CHERYL: Oh, 1 love Hawaii. I’ve been there three times so far. In fact, we’re going there for Christmas this year. Have you ever gone back?

PATTY: NO. John and I haven’t taken a vacation since our honeymoon three years ago.

CHERYL: Then why don’t you two join us in Hawaii for Christmas? By then, we’ll have gotten the bonus the company promised us and we’ll have some spending money. Think about it. It could be a lot of fun. You deserve a break.

PATTY: Oh, Cheryl, I wish we could, but we can’t. We’ve just bought a new car. Maybe next year ...

Focus ON GRAMMAR

The following questions are based on the preview text and are designed to help you find out what you already know about the structures in this chapter. Some of the questions may be hard and some of them may be easy. Answer as many of the questions as you can. Work with a partner if your teacher tells you to do so.

1. Cheryl says, “We went to Las Vegas” in line two. Could she also say, “We have gone to Las Vegas”? Why or why not?

2. What time word indicates that an action was repeated in the past and will probably be repeated in the future?

3. Consider the following sentence from the dialogue: “It wasn’t what we had expected.” Can you explain why the first verb (wasn’t) is simple past and the second verb (had expected) is past perfect?

4. When Cheryl says, “Neither one of us had been there before,” what does she mean by “before”? Before what?

5. Find the one sentence with the future perfect tense (will have + past participle). Could you use a simple future tense here? Why or why not?

Grammatical Patterns Part One

I. Perfect Aspect

A. Forms

To form a perfect tense, use an appropriate form of the auxiliary have and the past participle of the main verb.

3.1 Written Drill: Forming Perfect Verbs

DIRECTIONS: Provide the correct form of the verb, as indicated in parentheses.

Example (present perfect/sing)

Michael Jackson has sung for the Academy Awards before.

1. (past perfect/perform)

Michael Jackson ... on television in “The Jackson Five” with his siblings when he decided to go solo.

2. (present perfect/become)

Jackson ... a famous entertainer all over the world.

3. (present perfect/change)

Many Americans ... their opinion of Jackson, however, due to his unconventional behavior.

4. (future perfect/forget)

Although he was suspected of sexual misconduct, the next generation of fans ... about that incident.

5. (past perfect/live)

Jackson ... with his wife, Lisa Marie Presley, the daughter of Elvis Presley, less than two years before they got divorced.

B. Comparison: Simple vs. Perfect Tenses

C. Uses: The Present Perfect

The following chart summarizes the differences in uses between the simple past and present perfect tenses.

3.2 Recognition Activity: Present Perfect Tense

DIRECTIONS: Read the following sentences about the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum, which were written just after the hall opened in 1996.

Identify the precise meaning of the present perfect verbs (in italics in the sentences) and label each verb with one of the following:

(1) Indefinite time in the past

(2) Unfinished event in the past, continues to present

(3) Repeated events in the past, likely to continue

(4) Recently completed event.

1. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Museum in Cleveland has just opened, to the delight of many rock ’n roll fans.

2. Investors have spent $90 million on a 150,000 square foot building for the museum.

3. Many people believe that rock and roll has only been in existence for forty years, but the director of the museum assures people that this musical form has actually been around for an entire century.

4. The Director reminds us that Chuck Berry, whom many people think of as the father of rock and roll, has played music for a while now—and he’s still going strong.

5. The collectors have gathered an impressive assortment of rock and roll memorabilia—Pete Towshend’s (The Who) guitar; John Lennon’s (The Beatles) “Sergeant Pepper” vest, and clothes from Carl Perkins.

6. Many rock and roll fans have visited the museum several times.

3.3 Oral Drill: Effect on the Present

The present perfect tense, when used to describe a past, completed event, indicates that the event has some effect on the present. Complete the following statements with a sentence which makes that relation clear.

Example

Ben has returned from a swim in the ocean, so his hair is all wet.

Anna has already seen that play, so she wants to go to a different play this evening.

1. I have never been to a rock concert, so . . .

2. Our teacher has had a vacation, so . . .

3. The news has just announced a hurricane, so . . .

4. Ken has bought a surfboard, so . . .

5. The concert has sold out, so . . .

6. The World Cup finals are on television tonight, so . . .

7. The new Steven Spielberg film has come out on video, so . . .

8. Public Broadcasting has come out with a twelve-part series on the history of rock and roll, so . . .

9. George has received his black belt in Tae Kwan Do, so . . .

10. I have heard some French rap music, and . . .

3.4 Written Activity: Past or Present Perfect?

DIRECTIONS: For answers 1 and 2, read the questions and select answer (a) or (b), as appropriate. Remember to use the present perfect tense when the past activity still affects the present situation. Use the simple past tense when there is no effect on the present situation.

For number 3, write questions for the answers given. Your answers should demonstrate the difference between the present perfect and simple present tenses.

Example

CUE: A. Gary has bought a guitar.

  B. Gary bought a guitar

1. Why is Gary so happy? A (The past event is making Gary happy now, so use the present perfect tense.)

2. What did Gary do yesterday? B (This sentence is describing a completed past event; since there is no relation to the present, there is no need for the present perfect.)

1. A. She has sung in a coffeehouse.

в. She sang in a coffeehouse.

a. Why couldn’t Georgette make it to the party?

b. Her occupation for the last 30 years: ...

c. Does she have any experience as a singer? Yes, ...

d. How did she earn a living in 1967?

2. A. He saw Whitney Houston in concert.

в. He has seen Whitney Houston in concert.

a. Why does Mark look so happy?

b. Why is Mark talking to the newspaper reporter?

c. What did Mark do in New York last summer?

d. Mark doesn’t care if he goes to another concert in his life because ... .

3. Now, write your own questions to the following answers.

...

I was at an outdoor concert in Central Park.

...?

I have been at an outdoor concert in Central Park.

...?

Jack was at Kickers Night Club, a country dance place.

...?

Jack has been at Kickers Night Club, a country dance place.

...?

She has learned to box.

...?

She learned to box.

D. Time Words: Present Perfect

The following chart identifies time words which are often used with the present perfect tense. Make a note of which time words are used with each of the following types of event—indefinite, unfinished, or recently completed.

3.5 Written Drill: Time Expressions

DIRECTIONS: Provide a time word to justify the use of either the simple past or present perfect tenses in the following dialogue. Refer to the chart on page 42 for present perfect time words.

Example

My sister has seen that movie before .

3.6 Oral Drill: Since and For

DIRECTIONS: Choose three of the following cues to respond to, using since or for, as indicated. Your answer will be made with the negative form of the verb. Remember the following:

• Use a specific date or time after since (e.g., I haven’t been to a county fair since I was a child.)

• Use an expression of duration, a period of time after for (e.g., / haven’t been to a county fair for twenty years.)

Example

CUE: gone to a movie/since

ANSWER: I haven’t gone to a movie since 1988.

1. got a haircut/for

2. read a novel/since

3. spoken my native language/for

4. written to my family/since

5. told a joke/since

6. had an argument with my mother or father/for

7. gone to the beach/for

8. done the dishes/since

9. taken a test/for

10. gone to the dentist/since

3.7 Written Activity: Past and Present Perfect Tenses

DIRECTIONS: Read the following situations describing Kumiko’s leisure activities. Then construct sentences using the simple past or present perfect verb tenses.

Example

Kumiko was in Paris in 1980 and 1990. She is thinking about going there next year.

Kumiko has been to Paris twice so far.

1. Kumiko recently returned from seeing the movie, Philadelphia, and she is feeling very sad.

2. Kumiko is not exactly sure when she went to Yosemite National Park.

3. Kumiko went to Magic Mountain Amusement Park in California three times when her children were young, but she never wants to return there again.

4. Kumiko started skiing in 1975. She loves it and goes every winter.

5. Kumiko only went to Las Vegas once in 1995. She lost all of her money, so she doesn’t plan on returning there.

6. Kumiko went shopping for five hours. She is exhausted now and is taking a nap on the couch.

3.8 Written Drill: Simple Past or Present Perfect?

DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks with the appropriate tense—simple past or present perfect. If both tenses are possible, write both answers.

1. A. ... you ever ... (go) to Yellowstone Park before?

B. Yes, I ... (go) there three years ago.

2. Jill ... (be) to Disneyland five times before. Last year, Jill ... (take) her parents there when they ... (come) to visit her.

3. Jennifer is quite excited about going to the Rolling Stones concert since she ... (never/see) them in concert before.

4. A. Can you give me a ride downtown?

B. Sorry, I can’t. I ... (just/have) an accident and I'm a nervous wreck.

5. Dear Mom,

Sorry that I ... (not/write) you last week, but I ... (be) so busy lately at the hospital. Three of the doctors ... (be) sick and so I ... (have to) fill in for them all last week.

Daniel and I finally ... (go) to see the Bolshoi Ballet. I ... (never/see) such a crowd at our local theater! Our seats ... (be) quite good, and we could see the dancers very well. We ... (be) all surprised, though, when the prima ballerina ... (slip) and ... (fall) during the first act. She ... (break) her leg and they ... (take) her to the hospital immediately.

I ... (not/make) airplane reservations for Thanksgiving yet, but I promise I will very soon. I can’t wait to see all of you again. Write soon.

Love, Jack

Gammaticaf Patterns Part Two

I. Past Perfect Tense

The following chart compares the simple past with the past perfect tense.

3.9 Written Drill: Past Perfect

DIRECTIONS: Read the following sentences and underline the past perfect verbs. Be ready to identify the stated or implied second event.

Example

When I got to the beach, dark clouds had moved in.

Everyone had already left.

had moved in—second event: got to the beach, stated.

had left—second event: got to the beach, implied.

Walt Disney, the U.S. pioneer of animated film cartoons, had had huge success in Hollywood before he even considered building his amusement park. He had created such animated film classics as Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1938) and Pinocchio (1940). By the time Disneyland opened in Anaheim, California in 1955, Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse had already become well-known cartoon characters. Disney World followed in Orlando, Florida. Unfortunately, because he had died in 1966, Walt Disney never got to see his success spread worldwide to amusement parks in Japan and France.

II. Time Words: Past Perfect

The following time words are often used with the past perfect tense.

3.10 Oral Drill: Past Perfect

DIRECTIONS: Be ready to respond to four of the following statements. Note that before is followed by the second (most recent) event and after is followed by the first event.

Example

CUE: Before I came to class today . . .

ANSWER: Before I came to class today, I had already eaten breakfast.

CUE: I came to class after ...

ANSWER: I came to class after I had eaten breakfast.

1. Before I graduated from high school, ...

2. I learned English after...

3. Before I met my current boyfriend / girlfriend / husband or wife, ...

4. I learned to talk after ...

5. Before we studied this chapter in the book, ...

6. I laughed after ...

7. Before I came to this school, ...

8. I stopped smoking after ...

9. I ate dinner yesterday after ...

10. Before I stopped studying, I ...

3.11 Written Activity: Baseball

DIRECTIONS: Work with a partner, making sure that one of you is familiar with the game of baseball. Complete the following sentences describing the sequence of events at a baseball game.

1. The baseball game began after ...

2. The pitcher did not throw the first ball until ...

3. After the pitcher threw the ball, ...

4. By the time the outfielder caught the ball, ...

5. The crowd went crazy when ...

6. After the batter hit three strikes, ...

7. When both teams were tied at the ninth inning, ...

Now select another sport which you know and enjoy. Write a brief (100 words) paragraph in which you describe a game that you saw. Use a variety of time words and the simple past and past perfect tenses to indicate sequencing of events.

3.12 Written Activity: Using When

DIRECTIONS: Read the following sentences with when. Then paraphrase them so that the sequence of events is clear.

Example

The dishes fell off the counter when the earthquake hit.

Immediately after the earthquake hit, the dishes fell off the counter.

1. In 1995 an American tourist was gored by a bull when he ran with the bulls in Pamplona, Spain.

2. The tourist, Matthew Tassio, had just graduated from college when he decided to take a summer vacation in Europe.

3. There hadn’t been a death in fifteen years when Tassio was killed.

4. Tassio was gored by a bull when another bull knocked him down.

5. Officials in Pamplona said that many tourists, and especially Americans, sustain injuries because they run with the bulls when they are intoxicated.

3.13 Paired Activity: Using Past Perfect Time Words

DIRECTIONS: Here is a jumbled series of events recounting how Tim and jean met, fell in love, and got married. In pairs or small groups, reconstruct this story in the correct order. First number the events as you imagine they happened. Then write up the story, combining events into one sentence and using the time words listed in the chart on page 47. Feel free to add any details to make the story more interesting. There may be several correct versions.

1. How Tim and Jean Met

Jean said she had to think about it.

Tim talked to Jean.

Tim watched Jean come into his store every day for several weeks.

Jean got a good job offer in another city.

Jean made him her favorite lasagna dinner.

Tim asked Jean out on a date to a movie.

Tim came over for dinner every night.

Tim asked Jean to marry him.

They fell in love.

2. How Monique and Peter Met

Peter learned to use the Internet.

Monique was feeling lonely.

Monique and Peter started “chatting” on the computer.

They set a time to meet.

Peter bought a new computer.

Monique’s friend told her about meeting people on the Internet.

Monique got divorced.

Monique decided to try to meet someone on the Internet. They grew to like each other.

3.14 Written Drill: Past, Present Perfect, or Past Perfect?

DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks using a simple past, present perfect, or past perfect tense.

3.15 Paired Activity: Simple and Perfect Tenses

DIRECTIONS: Work with a partner and write a 10-12 line dialogue for one of the following scenarios. Write sentences which have a simple past, present perfect, and past perfect verb in them. As your classmates listen to you present the dialogue to the class, have them listen for verbs in those tenses.

SCENARIO ONE: YOU and your spouse are 70 years old. You are reminiscing about your 45 years together as a couple.

SCENARIO Two: You are a foreign student on a scholarship. If you are not accepted into a university in the United States this year, you will no longer be eligible for your scholarship. Unfortunately, you only have 545 on your TOEFL, and the Admissions department of your preferred university will not admit you. Try to convince them to let you in.

SCENARIO THREE: YOU and your friend are traveling in a foreign country. Suddenly you realize that you have lost your passport. Have a conversation with your friend to try and remember what might have happened to the passport.

III. Future Perfect Tense

Note how the future perfect is different from the future.

3.16 Written Drill: Future or Future Perfect?

DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks with a future or future perfect form of the verb in parentheses, as appropriate.

1. Many sociologists predict that people (have) ... more free time in the next few decades.

2. They believe that advanced technology (perform) ... the work of people.

3. Many economists worry that this (mean) ... more unemployment.

4. Other economists believe, however, that by that time social scientists (find) ... a solution to the unemployment problem.

5. They think that in the next century, the government (discover) ... ways to reduce the number of working hours and increase wages.

6. Yet a recent book on the productivity of Americans indicates that this (not/be) ... the case.

7. Americans are working more and more, and they have less and less free time. Many have two or more jobs. Therefore, the author of this book probably believes that by the next century, people (work) ... longer hours.

8. Workers say that they have heard this story before. When computers first came out, social scientists believed it would mean more free time. Such workers think that by the next century, not much (change) ... . As the French saying goes: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.”

3.17 Written Activity: A Three-Year Plan

DIRECTIONS: The chart below represents the three-year plans of Sarah and Clark, who are neighbors and friends. Read the chart, and in the section entitled YOL1, fill in events and accomplishments that might happen to you. Then complete the sentences that follow. Be ready to compare your answers with your classmates’.

1. By the time Sarah gets married, Clark ... .

2. By the time Sarah finishes her novel, Clark ... .

3. By the time Clark moves to Florida, I ... .

4. By the time ..., Clark ... .

5. By the time I ..., Sarah ... .

Now complete the following sentences with a partner.

6. By the time (my partner) ..., I ... .

7. By the time I ..., my partner ... .

3.18 Written Drill: Future or Future Perfect?

DIRECTIONS: Fill in the blanks with an appropriate form of the future or future perfect.

1. Tomorrow is an important day for Colette. She (go) ... to the high school prom, an annual formal dance for high school seniors.

2. She (wear) ... a long dress, and her date, Jason, (wear) ... a tuxedo.

3. Today she is quite busy getting ready for tomorrow’s event. Hopefully, by tomorrow at six o’clock, she (go) ... to the hairdresser and her mother (pick) ... up her dress from the store. Her father (buy) ... her the pearl earrings he promised.

4. Jason is busy too. This afternoon, he (rent) ... his tuxedo and (get) ... his hair cut. By the time he picks Colette up, he (wash) ... the car and (buy) ... her the corsage he ordered.

5. Today Colette looks like an ordinary teenager in Jeans and a T-shirt. By tomorrow, she (be) ... an elegant woman in formal attire.

IV. Special Problems With Simple and Perfect Tenses

Pay special attention to these very common errors.

3.19 Error Analysis: Simple and Perfect Tenses

DIRECTIONS: Correct any errors in the uses of simple and perfect verb tenses in the following sentences. Do not change anything that is already correct. Some sentences may not have any errors.

1. When I came to the United States for the first time, I have had difficulty understanding the sales clerks in the stores.

2. Ronald Reagan has been president for eight years before he retired.

3. The band plays since three hours. Do you think the players will take a break soon?

4. The movie starts at 9:00. It’s 9:10 now, so by the time we get there, we will have missed the first 30 minutes.

5. Have you chosen your china pattern yet? I’d like to buy you a place setting for your wedding present.

6. Pete is getting married next year. By then, he will know his fiancee for five years.

7. I hope I can use verbs correctly in English when I will finish this course!

8. My family and I are in Alaska since five years, and we still aren’t used to the long, dark winters.

9. I am here for six months, and I still can’t speak English.

Focus on Writing

Shifting Time frames

It is very common to begin a written passage in one verb tense and then shift to another. For example, note how the author begins the following paragraph in the present perfect to describe an indefinite time in the past and then shifts to a simple past as the time frame becomes more specific.

I have had many memorable experiences traveling in foreign countries. Perhaps the most memorable trip was in 1995, when I went to a small town in Mexico to learn Spanish. I found the people to be extremely friendly. Even though my Spanish was quite elementary, everyone was patient as I struggled to communicate.

It is also common to move from a present time frame to a present perfect as you relate past events to present states. Note how the following author describes his present state in the first sentence and then details how he brought about that state.

I am quite proud of my progress in learning English. During the past six months I have progressed from a beginning language learner to an advanced one. I have worked diligently in my language classes and I have spoken as much English as I can. I have taken advantage of every opportunity to improve my English.

3.20 Written Activity: Shifting Time Frames

DIRECTIONS: Write two paragraphs using the paragraphs above as models. In paragraph one, move from indefinite to definite time. In paragraph two, relate past events to a present state. Select your topics from among the following suggestions, or come up with your own.

I. Indefinite to Definite Time Shifts

• a trip you took

• a memorable restaurant experience

• a musical concert you attended

• a funny or embarrassing experience

II. Past Events Related to a Present State

• how you learned English

• how you got in shape

• influences on a current musical style

3.21 Written Activity: A First Date

DIRECTIONS: Write a brief skit (conversation) between a man and a woman on their first date. Include verbs in the following tenses: simple present, future, simple past and present perfect. Incorporate time words to demonstrate your understanding of tenses. Include a discussion of likes and dislikes. Make the conversation humorous if you like. Be ready to present the dialogue with a partner in class.

Composition Topics

1. Imagine your life in ten or fifteen years from now. The first decade of the twenty-first century is right around the corner. What do you think will have happened to you or in the world by then? Write a short paragraph in which you predict events in your personal and professional life. Include possible events in the world (political, technological, artistic, etc.) if you like. Begin your paragraph as follows:

In ten or fifteen years from now, I will have ...

2. Do you think that teenagers (aged 14-18) should be allowed to go out with friends or on dates without adult supervision? Why or why not?