Ex1:

He started learning English 3 years ago.  = He began learning English 3 years ago.

> He has learnt English for 3 years.         

Mẫu này có dạng:

...bắt đầu làm gì đó cách đây + khoảng thời gian/ mốc thời gian.

=> .. đã làm chuyện đó “for” + khoảng thời gian/ “since” + mốc thời gian.

+) Nếu không có “ago” mà có “when” + mệnh đề thì giữ nguyên mệnh đề chỉ đổi “when” thành “since”.

He started writing novels when he broke up with his girlfriend.

> He has written novels since he broke up with his girlfriend.

S + started/began + V-ing + … in/when …

> S + have/has + Vpii + … + since/for …

Ex2:

I have never seen such an interesting movie like this before.

= I haven’t seen such an interesting movie like this before.

> This is/It’s the first time I have (ever) seen such an interesting movie.

Mẫu này có dạng:

... chưa bao giờ làm chuyện đó trước đây.

=> Đây là lần đầu tiên ... làm chuyện đó.

The first time: lần đầu tiên

Never ...before : chưa bao giờ trước đây

S + have/has + never + Vpii … + before.

have never = haven’t                       has never = hasn’t

> This is the first time + S + have/has + Vpii …

He has never played games before.          

> This is the first time he has played games.

I haven’t eaten this kind of food before.

> This is the first time I have eaten this kind of food.

bài tập:

Rewrite the following sentences without changing their meaning.

1. My father hasn’t driven a car before.

> This is the ………………………………………………………………………………

2. We started living here 15 years ago.

> We have ………………………………………………………………………………...

3. The last time Jimmy called James was 6 months ago.

> Jimmy last ………………………………………………………………………………

4. How long have you had this car?

> When ……………………………………………………………………………………

5. She has never been to a museum before.

> This is the ………………………………………………………………………………

6. I started learning English when I was 4.

> I have …………………………………………………………………………………...

7. How long has he loved her?

> How long ago …………………………………………………………………………..

8. I haven’t attended the club since 1988.

> The last time ……………………………………………………………………………

9. It started raining one hour ago.

> It has ……………………………………………………………………………………

10. When did you have it?

> How long ………………………………………………………………………………

11. This is the first time Tom has forgotten to lock the door.

> Tom has ………………………………………………………………………………..

12. It was a long time since we last met.

> We have ……………………………………