English Conversation

Retelling a conversation 129

However, many frequently used verbs have irregular past participle forms. Several examples

follow. Check Appendix A for a complete list.

be was/were been

do did done

eat ate eaten

give gave given

see saw seen

take took taken

Expressions often used with the present perfect tense include the following:

Already

Already means at some time in the past and can indicate that the action does not need to be

repeated.

I’m not hungry. I’ve already eaten.

You don’t need to close the windows—we’ve already done it.

Already can be used in a question, indicating surprise that something has been done.

Have you finished high school already? (I can’t believe you are old enough!)

Yet

Yet can be used in a question to find out if something has been done.

Have you eaten yet?

Have you taken the test yet?

Not yet

Not yet is used to indicate that something has not been done—and that it should be done in the

future.

We’re hungry. We haven’t eaten yet.

I’m not finished traveling. I haven’t been to Africa yet.

So far

So far means as of this date or time.

She has come to class on time every day, so far.

How many continents have you been to? So far, I’ve only been to North and

South America.

Ever

Ever means at any time in the past or future. It is placed between the modal verb and the main verb.

Have you ever been in California?

I won’t ever do that again.

Ever can be used after never to emphasize its meaning.

He was never, ever, there.