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Recounting
Our Amazing Hiking Trip

You will learn to talk about past experiences using the present perfect tense. This lesson covers recounting events and sharing opinions about a recent hiking trip.

Recounting Our Amazing Hiking Trip
1

Listening

Listen and answer the quiz.

0:00 / 0:00
2

Reading + Practice

Read the script, practice vocabulary, and learn useful sentences.

Download script
LIAM
Hey Chloe, I've been thinking about our hiking trip last month. It was incredible!
CHLOE
Oh, me too! I've already started planning our next one. What was your favorite part?
LIAM
Definitely reaching the summit. The view was breathtaking. We've never seen anything like it before.
CHLOE
I agree! And remember that little cafe we found afterwards? I've never tasted such delicious pastries.
LIAM
Yes! I've been craving them ever since. We've really been lucky with the weather on our hikes this year.
CHLOE
We have! I've also been looking at new gear. I think I'll invest in a better backpack.
LIAM
Good idea. I've been researching waterproof jackets. We've had a couple of damp adventures recently.
CHLOE
True! Well, I'm excited for whatever we plan next. I've always wanted to try that coastal trail.
2b

Vocabulary Match

Tap a word, then tap its definition.

Words

Definitions

2c

Useful Sentences

Quick sentences you can use in real life.

Talking about past experiences
  • I've been thinking about our hiking trip.
  • We've never seen anything like it before.
  • I've already started planning our next one.
  • I've been craving them ever since.
Sharing opinions and plans
  • The view was breathtaking.
  • I think I'll invest in a better backpack.
  • I've always wanted to try that coastal trail.
  • We've really been lucky with the weather.
3

Grammar

Review the rule and take the quiz.

Download quiz
✓ Grammar Focus

present perfect

present perfect

★ Examples from the lesson

- I've been thinking about our hiking trip last month.

- I've already started planning our next one.

- We've never seen anything like it before.

- I've never tasted such delicious pastries.

- I've been craving them ever since.

- We've really been lucky with the weather on our hikes this year.

- I've also been looking at new gear.

- I've been researching waterproof jackets.

💡 Uses

1) To talk about unfinished past actions that continue to the present: I've been thinking about our hiking trip.

2) To talk about past experiences when the specific time is not important or not mentioned: We've never seen anything like it before.

3) To talk about recent past actions that have a result in the present: I've been craving them ever since.

📝 Forms
Subject Affirmative Negative Question
I have thought (I've thought) have not thought (haven't thought) Have I thought?
You have thought (you've thought) have not thought (haven't thought) Have you thought?
He/She/It has thought (he's/she's/it's thought) has not thought (hasn't thought) Has he/she/it thought?
We have thought (we've thought) have not thought (haven't thought) Have we thought?
They have thought (they've thought) have not thought (haven't thought) Have they thought?
⚠ Common Mistakes
Mistake Correction Explanation
I have went to the summit. I have gone to the summit. Use the past participle (gone), not the simple past (went).
We have seen this view yesterday. We saw this view yesterday. Use the simple past for finished actions at a specific past time (yesterday).
She has not never tasted it. She has never tasted it. Avoid double negatives. Use 'never' or 'not ever'.
Have you already planned the trip? Did you already plan the trip? 'Already' is often used with the simple past when the specific time is implied or known. However, 'Have you already planned?' is also correct if focusing on the present result. The simple past is more common for completed actions.
He is researching jackets since last week. He has been researching jackets since last week. For actions that started in the past and continue to the present, use the present perfect continuous.
They have visited the cafe last month. They visited the cafe last month. Use the simple past for completed actions at a specific past time (last month).
Finish