PRESENT PERFECT QUESTIONS
We use present perfect constantly on a daily basis when asking questions about an action which we want to know if it
has been completed. We are not interested in when it was done but whether it has been done and completed.
An English home - a typical conversation between mother and teenage son and daughter. See
if you can find all the present perfects in this passage.
Mother: Hi Kids. Have you washed your hands? Come to the table.
Sue: Hi Mum. I've just finished my room, I'll be there in a minute.
Mother: Tony, have you washed your hands.
Tony: I haven't had time. I'm still busy painting.
Mother: We are waiting for you. (Kids arrive and sit down)
Mother: What have you been doing today Sue?
Sue: We've been very busy with our volunteer work in town.
Mother: And what have you done today Tony?
Tony: (trying to rub the paint off his hands without his mother noticing) I have been trying to finish my painting
project for school.
Sue: Haven't you finished it yet? You started it last week.
Mother: It has taken him longer than he expected.
Tony: (very proud of his project) It has been growing and growing so its now much bigger than I planned.
Mother: Have you two done your homework yet?
Sue: I'll do mine soon.
Tony: I started but I haven't done it all yet. (After the meal)
Mother: You haven't put your things away, and you haven't done your chores. You'd better hurry. Have
you seen the cat? She hasn't been home all morning.
Sue: Have you phoned the doctor for an appointment?
Mother: No I forgot. I'll do it right now.
