The First Time and The Best I’ve Ever…
By the end: I can describe a first experience and compare experiences up to now.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Try the activities, then check your answers.
Choose a short recording.
A first experience now
Use this is the first time with a present-perfect clause to connect the current experience to your life up to now.
This is the first time I’ve used this app.
It’s the first time she’s travelled alone.
Compare experiences up to now
A superlative plus a present-perfect clause can compare the current example with earlier experience.
This is the best meal I’ve ever cooked.
It’s the longest journey we’ve ever taken.
Whose experience limits the comparison?
The comparison reaches up to now.
Other people may prefer another cake.
Give a finished detail separately
Use past simple for a specific finished occasion. Do not attach a finished past time directly to the present-perfect experience clause.
I’ve tried it before. I tried it last year.
This is the best concert I’ve seen. The last one was good too.
Guided practice
Say or write your answer first. Compare form and meaning with the model.
1. Complete: This is the first time I ___ tried it.
Compare a model and explanation
have
I takes have in the present perfect.
2. Complete: It’s the first time she ___ driven here.
Compare a model and explanation
has
She takes has.
3. Complete: This is the best photo I’ve ever ___. Use take.
Compare a model and explanation
taken
Use the past participle.
4. Correct: This is the first time I’ve saw it.
Compare a model and explanation
This is the first time I’ve seen it.
Seen is the participle.
5. Add a finished detail: I’ve visited before. Last year…
Compare a model and explanation
Last year, I visited with my sister.
Use past simple with last year.
6. Make the experience comparison: no book I have read is more interesting.
Compare a model and explanation
This is the most interesting book I’ve ever read.
The superlative compares experiences up to now.
7. Does the best meal I’ve ever eaten compare every person’s meals?
Compare a model and explanation
No. It compares my own experience.
The subject limits the claim.
8. Write one first-time statement and one previous-experience statement.
Compare a model and explanation
This is the first time I’ve played here, but I’ve played this game before.
The place can be new even when the activity is familiar.
A short conversation
Listen first, then open the transcript when useful.
Open the conversation transcript
A: Have you been here before?
B: No. This is the first time I’ve visited this café.
A: What do you think of the cake?
B: It’s the best cake I’ve ever tasted.
Listening checks
Listen to each extract or open its transcript. These three questions have a separate score.
Mastery quiz
Choose the best answer for each situation. The score is out of eight.
Use it in your own words
Speaking 1
Describe a real or imagined first experience happening now.
Reveal a possible response
This is the first time I’ve cooked this dish.
Success check: Use the present-perfect pattern.
Speaking 2
Compare two experiences with a superlative.
Reveal a possible response
This is the most useful app I’ve ever used. The old one was slower.
Success check: Keep the comparison within your experience.
Put it all together
Describe a new experience, compare one part with earlier experiences, and add a finished past detail.
Reveal a possible response
This is the first time I’ve stayed here. It’s the quietest hotel I’ve ever visited. Last year, I stayed near a busy road.
Success check: Use present perfect for experience and past simple for the finished detail.
Take it with you
I can describe a first experience and compare experiences up to now.