Wedding Plans

Listen to a woman talk about the things she needs to do for her wedding.

Present Perfect with Time (Lesson Plan)

ESL students can hear two people speaking natural English using the present perfect related to time. Recommended study plan:

  • Watch the video
  • Take the quiz
  • Listen again and read the script
  • Learn the grammar with the notes

Todd: So, Meg, you're getting married soon. How are things going?

Meg: Things are going pretty well. We have a lot of planning to do.

Todd: I bet. So have you hired a band yet?

Meg: No, we haven't hired a band yet. My brother has some friends who were in a band. So he's going to ask them.

Todd: Cool. And have you gotten the caterer for the wedding?

Meg: Yes, we have gotten a caterer because the food is very important. So we ordered it in advance.

Todd: Oh, what kind of food?

Meg: We're going to have traditional American food.

Todd: Oh, nice. Nice. So have you bought a dress yet?

Meg: Yes, of course, I have bought a dress. That's the most important part. So last week I picked up my new dress.

Todd: Have you tried it on yet?

Meg: Yes, I've tried it on many times already.

Todd: Okay. Cool. Have you shown it to your groom-to-be?

Meg: No. I haven't shown it to my groom-to be because it has to be a surprise on the wedding day.

Todd: Oh, that's right. So have you ordered the flowers?

Meg: No, not yet. I haven't ordered the flowers because I'm waiting for some special flowers from the florist. So still waiting.

Todd: And have you sent out the invitations?

Meg: Yes. We have sent out the invitations. We sent them out maybe a month ago.

Todd: Oh, cool. So then I assume you have booked the hall.

Meg: Yes. We have booked the hall because we wanted to have it at a special hall. So we booked it probably six months ago.

Todd: Okay. Cool. Well, the only one problem, I didn't get an invite. Am I invited to your wedding?

Meg: Oh, I brought the invitation with me today.

Todd: Okay. Great. Thanks.

Present Perfect - Recent Changes

Point 1: We often use the present perfect to discuss status of actions that need to be done.
  • Have you finished the report yet?
  • No, I have not finished yet. / No, not yet.
  • Have you even started?
  • Yes, I already started. / Yes, I have
Point 2: We use the particle yet in the questions and negative forms to show an action is time sensitive.
  • Have you eaten yet?
  • No, I haven't eaten yet.
  • Has he left yet?
  • Not yet. He will leave soon.
Point 3: We also use the word already in the question and affirmative forms to show an action is time sensitive.
  • Have you already eaten?
  • Yes, I've already eaten.
  • Have you already started?
  • Yes, we already have.
Point 4: Both the present perfect and the simple past can be used to discuss the status of recent events.
  • Have you finished the report yet?
  • Yes, I've finished it.
  • Did you finish the report yet?
  • Yes, I finished it.
Answer the following questions about the interview.

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