Perfect have Worksheet Practice Exercises with Answers

Question 1. In each of the sentences below, the helping verb is a form of have – either have, has, or had – and is underlined. What does it mean when sentences with the helping verb have are expressed in the perfect aspect?
Answer: Sentences with the helping verb have are expressed in the perfect aspect, which adds information to the main verb about real-world time. For example, using have shows that the action started in the past and is now complete.
In simple words: The perfect aspect tells you that something began at an earlier time and has finished. It shows the connection between past and present.

Exam Tip: Remember that the perfect aspect always involves a form of have (have, has, or had) followed by another verb, and it shows that an action is complete.

Quick Tip 33.1

One kind of helping verb is the verb have. It has three forms: have, has, and had.

Test Yourself 33.1

Question 1. The bridge had collapsed.
Answer: Underline the word "had" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "had" is the form of have that works as the helping verb in this sentence.

Exam Tip: Always look for the form of have that comes directly before the main verb.

Question 2. That cheerful woman has saved the day.
Answer: Underline the word "has" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "has" is the form of have serving as the helping verb here.

Exam Tip: Remember that "has" is used with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, or a single person/thing).

Question 3. My uncles have visited us every summer.
Answer: Underline the word "have" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "have" is the form of have functioning as the helping verb in this sentence.

Exam Tip: "Have" is used with plural subjects or with "I" and "you".

Question 4. Her neighbor has been an attorney for twenty years.
Answer: Underline the word "has" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "has" here is the helping verb that comes before "been".

Exam Tip: Notice that the main verb can be any verb form, including "been", and the helping verb comes right before it.

Question 5. Suzie had traveled to Belgium twice before.
Answer: Underline the word "had" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "had" is the form of have used as the helping verb in this sentence.

Exam Tip: "Had" shows that an action was complete before another past action took place.

Question 6. My friend Sal has bought two suits recently.
Answer: Underline the word "has" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "has" is the helping verb that appears before the main verb "bought".

Exam Tip: Pay close attention to what comes right before the main verb - that's where the helping verb always sits.

Question 7. Your remarks have entertained me enormously.
Answer: Underline the word "have" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "have" works as the helping verb before "entertained".

Exam Tip: Make sure you catch the helping verb even when other words appear between it and the main verb.

Question 8. Our teacher had sent us an e-mail yesterday.
Answer: Underline the word "had" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "had" is the form of have working as the helping verb in this sentence.

Exam Tip: "Had" is the past form of have and shows that the action was finished before now.

Question 9. That thought never has crossed my mind.
Answer: Underline the word "has" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "has" is the helping verb, even though an adverb like "never" comes between it and the main verb.

Exam Tip: Don't let adverbs distract you - focus on finding the have form that comes before the main verb.

Question 10. You and I have played chess numerous times.
Answer: Underline the word "have" as the helping verb (have form).
In simple words: The verb "have" is the helping verb used here because the subject is plural.

Exam Tip: With plural subjects or compound subjects joined by "and", always use "have" as the helping verb.

Test Yourself 33.2

Question 1. Joan and Sam have worked for hours.
Answer: Underline "have" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "worked" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "have" helps show that the action of working is complete, and "worked" is what they actually did.

Exam Tip: The helping verb always comes first, and the main verb always follows it directly or with minimal separation.

Question 2. Their mother has spoken of you often.
Answer: Underline "has" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "spoken" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "has" works with "spoken" to show that the action happened in the past and is now complete.

Exam Tip: Remember that "has" pairs with singular subjects, and "spoken" is the past participle form of "speak".

Question 3. The prime minister had written to him.
Answer: Underline "had" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "written" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "had" helps show that the action of writing was finished before something else took place.

Exam Tip: "Had" signals that an action in the past was complete before another past event occurred.

Question 4. Your daughter has grown a lot taller.
Answer: Underline "has" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "grown" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "has" combines with "grown" to describe a change that started in the past and is visible now.

Exam Tip: Pay attention to how "has" and the main verb work together to show both action and timing.

Question 5. She has seen her friends twice since last Sunday.
Answer: Underline "has" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "seen" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "has" partners with "seen" to show that seeing her friends is something that has already happened twice.

Exam Tip: The helping verb "has" always comes directly before the main verb in these sentences.

Question 6. Our dogs have made a mess of the living room.
Answer: Underline "have" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "made" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "have" shows that the dogs completed the action of making a mess.

Exam Tip: Even when describing an unpleasant situation, the pattern of helping verb plus main verb stays the same.

Question 7. You had warned me not to heed his advice.
Answer: Underline "had" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "warned" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "had" shows that you finished warning me before this moment in time.

Exam Tip: "Had" is the right choice when showing that one past action finished before another past action began.

Question 8. The chef has prepared this dish perfectly.
Answer: Underline "has" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "prepared" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "has" combines with "prepared" to show that the chef finished making the dish well.

Exam Tip: Notice how "has" and the main verb together tell us about a completed action.

Question 9. We have thought about your suggestion seriously.
Answer: Underline "have" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "thought" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "have" works with "thought" to show that we gave your idea real consideration.

Exam Tip: The helping verb "have" goes with plural subjects or with "I" and "you".

Question 10. The actors had rehearsed for about an hour.
Answer: Underline "had" as the helping verb (have form). Put a squiggly line under "rehearsed" as the main verb.
In simple words: The verb "had" shows that the actors finished their practice session before something else happened.

Exam Tip: "Had" indicates a completed action in the past, especially when something else occurred afterward.

Understanding Have as a Helping Verb vs. Main Verb

Question 1. What is the difference between have used as a helping verb and have used as a main verb?
Answer: When have is used as a helping verb, it comes before another verb and shows the perfect aspect of that action. When have is used as a main verb, it refers to the idea of possession or ownership. For example, in "I have a comfortable bed," have is the main verb showing what someone owns. In "She has seen her friends," has is a helping verb showing a completed action.
In simple words: Helping verb have shows that something is done. Main verb have means you own or possess something.

Exam Tip: Ask yourself: does the sentence show owning something, or does it show a finished action? Your answer tells you if have is main or helping.

Quick Tip 33.2

Have can be used as a helping verb or as a main verb. When have is used as the main verb, it refers to the idea of possession. When have is used as the helping verb, it is always followed by another verb.

Test Yourself 33.3

Question 1. Jack has experienced a good time.
Answer: The form of have is used as a helping verb. Mark: Helping verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "has" comes before "experienced" to show that this action is complete, so it is a helping verb.

Exam Tip: When a form of have is followed by another verb, it is working as a helping verb.

Question 2. He has seen her often.
Answer: The form of have is used as a helping verb. Mark: Helping verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "has" pairs with "seen" to describe a completed action that started in the past, so it serves as a helping verb.

Exam Tip: Look for the main verb that follows have - if there is one, have is helping.

Question 3. You have a lot of DVDs.
Answer: The form of have is used as a main verb. Mark: Main verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "have" here stands alone and means you own many DVDs, so it is the main verb.

Exam Tip: If have/has/had is the only verb in the sentence and it means "own" or "possess," it is the main verb.

Question 4. She had tacos for dinner.
Answer: The form of have is used as a main verb. Mark: Main verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "had" means she ate or consumed tacos, showing possession of the meal, so it works as the main verb.

Exam Tip: When have means "to eat," "to consume," or "to own," it is the main verb, not a helper.

Question 5. Your professor has the answer to your question.
Answer: The form of have is used as a main verb. Mark: Main verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "has" shows that the professor possesses the answer, so it is the main verb.

Exam Tip: When have shows what someone owns, holds, or possesses, it is always the main verb.

Question 6. Grandpa has slept on the couch often.
Answer: The form of have is used as a helping verb. Mark: Helping verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "has" comes before "slept" to show that sleeping on the couch is an action that has happened many times, so it is a helping verb.

Exam Tip: When have appears right before a main verb showing action, it is helping that main verb.

Question 7. Aisha had trouble with her car this morning.
Answer: The form of have is used as a main verb. Mark: Main verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "had" shows that Aisha experienced or faced trouble, meaning she possessed that problem, so it is the main verb.

Exam Tip: "Had trouble" means "experienced" - this is have working as the main verb with the meaning of possession.

Question 8. My aunt has a treadmill in her basement.
Answer: The form of have is used as a main verb. Mark: Main verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "has" shows that the aunt owns a treadmill, so it is working as the main verb.

Exam Tip: Whenever have means "to own" or "to possess," it is never a helping verb - it is always the main verb.

Question 9. Mrs. Stein had called the paramedics.
Answer: The form of have is used as a helping verb. Mark: Helping verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "had" comes before "called" to show that this action was finished before the present moment, so it is a helping verb.

Exam Tip: Past tense helping verb "had" always comes before a main verb like "called."

Question 10. They have donated that coat to charity.
Answer: The form of have is used as a helping verb. Mark: Helping verb (X)
In simple words: The verb "have" comes before "donated" to show a completed action, so it is a helping verb.

Exam Tip: When have is followed by a past participle like "donated," it is working as a helping verb.

Two Occurrences Of Have In One Sentence

Question 1. What happens when a sentence contains two forms of have?
Answer: When a sentence shows two forms of have, the first occurrence is a helping verb and the second occurrence is the main verb showing possession. This occurs because the main verb have can also use have as a helping verb, just like any other main verb. For example, in "Jack has had a bad time," the first "has" is the helping verb and the second "had" is the main verb referring to possession of the bad experience.
In simple words: The first have is a helper that comes before. The second have is the main action word that means owning or experiencing something.

Exam Tip: When you spot two forms of have in one sentence, remember: first one helps, second one shows possession or experience.

Question 2. Jack has had a bad time.
Answer: The first "has" is a helping verb. The second "had" is the main verb showing possession of a bad experience.
In simple words: The first have (has) helps show that the second have (had) is complete. The second have means experiencing or going through a bad time.

Exam Tip: To find the pattern, ask: Is there a helping verb before the main verb? If yes, the first have is helping and the second is the main verb.

Question 3. The mayor had had a close election.
Answer: The first "had" is a helping verb. The second "had" is the main verb showing the mayor's experience with a close election.
In simple words: The first had helps show that something is finished in the past. The second had means the mayor went through or experienced a close election.

Exam Tip: Both forms are "had" in this case because the sentence is in the past tense and uses the past perfect aspect.

Question 4. We have had a delicious dinner.
Answer: The first "have" is a helping verb. The second "had" is the main verb showing the experience of eating a delicious dinner.
In simple words: The first have shows that a completed action occurred. The second had means we experienced or enjoyed a delicious meal together.

Exam Tip: Notice that even though the first have is present tense, it can pair with a past participle form (had) of the main verb have.