Grammar Analysis: Present Perfect Simple & Continuous
Form: Present Perfect Simple: Subject+have/ (he-she-it) has+past participle
Present Perfect Continuous: Subject+have/ (he-she-it) has+been+verb+ing
Use of the Present Perfect: :
When the time is not mentioned:
I have cleaned my room.
(When? we do not know.)
(When? we do not know.)
He has gone to Istanbul.
(When? we do not know.)
Recently completed actions: (just)
He has just played handball.
She has just drunk a glass of water.
When the time period has not finished: (this+period of time)
I have read three books this month. (This month has not finished yet) (But when it finishes, we use the simple past)
It is 10:30 a.m. She has written two emails this morning. (But: It is 12:25 p.m. She wrote two emails this morning. Past Simple)
When the action starts in the past and is still continuing in the present, mostly with since (point of time) or for (period of time):
They have lived in Canada since 1986.
(They have lived in Canada for 32 years.)
They have been living in Canada since 1986.
(They have been living in Canada for 32 years.)
N.B.: With “for”, if the action is finished, then we use the simple past:
He taught English in Fes for 6 years before moving to Rabat. (Now he teaches English in Rabat, not Fes)
With the expressions “lately”= “recently”:
I have been to London recently.
I have been to London recently.
Have you been doing any exercises lately?
With the expressions “yet” (negative & interrogative) & “already” (affirmative):
A: Have you done your homework yet?
B: Yes, I have already done it.
No, not yet. /No, I haven’t done it yet.
With ever (?) & never (negative):
A: Has he ever visited Spain?
B: No, he has never visited it.
With the superlative: It is the+superlative+present perfect (ever)
It is the most delicious cake I have ever eaten.
It is the most important monument she has ever seen.
With other time expressions: (so far, up to now= until now, since then)
They have visited several countries so far.
They moved to Oujda in 2015. They have been living there since then.
B: No, he has never visited it.
With the superlative: It is the+superlative+present perfect (ever)
It is the most delicious cake I have ever eaten.
It is the most important monument she has ever seen.
With other time expressions: (so far, up to now= until now, since then)
They have visited several countries so far.
They moved to Oujda in 2015. They have been living there since then.
Grammar Analysis: Modal Auxiliaries
Modal
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Examples
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Uses
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They can control their own budgets.
We can’t fix it.
Can I smoke here? (Can=May)
Can you help me?
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Ability / Possibility
Inability
Asking for permission
Request
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Can’t
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He can’t swim.
This restaurant can’t be a good one. It’s always
empty.
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Inability
Impossibility
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Could I
borrow your dictionary?
Could you say it again more slowly? (polite)
We could try to fix it ourselves.
I think we could have another Gulf War.
He gave up his old job so he
could work
for us.
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Asking for permission.
Request
Suggestion
Future possibility
Ability in the past
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May I have
another cup of coffee? (May=Can)
China may become a major economic
power.
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Asking for permission
Future possibility
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We'd better phone tomorrow;
they might be
eating their dinner now.
They might give us
a 10% discount.
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Present possibility
Future possibility
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We must say
good-bye now.
This restaurant must be a
good one. It’s always full.
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Necessity / Obligation
Certainty
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Mustn’t
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They mustn’t disrupt
the work more than necessary.
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Prohibition
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Have to
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John can’t come because he
has to work tomorrow.
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Obligation
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(More common in
the UK than the US)
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Shall I help you with
your luggage?
Shall we say 2.30 then?
Shall I do that or will
you?
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Offer
Suggestion
Asking what to do
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I can’t see any taxis so I’ll (will) walk.
I'll (will) do that for you if you like.
I’ll (will) get back to you first thing on Monday.
Profits will increase next year.
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Instant decisions
Offer
Promise
Certain prediction
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Would you
mind if I brought a colleague with me?
Would you
pass the salt, please?
Would you
mind waiting a moment?
"Would three o`clock suit
you?" - "That’d be fine."
Would you
like to play golf this Friday?
"Would you prefer tea or
coffee?" - "I’d like tea please."
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Asking for permission
Request
Request
Making arrangements
Invitation
Preferences
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Needn’t= don’t have
to
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You needn't shout. It's a good line. I can hear you perfectly.
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Lack of obligation
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