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A2At the Library

Using 'Hand In' at the Library

Phrasal Verb: hand in |Grammar: Present Perfect

Objective

Students will learn how to use the phrasal verb 'hand in' with the present perfect tense to talk about returning borrowed items at the library.

Article

Many people have borrowed books and DVDs from the library. When you finish using these items, you need to hand them in. The library staff have noticed that many visitors have already handed in their borrowed books this week. Sarah has just handed in three books she borrowed last month. She has hand in her items before the due date every time. Some students have handed in their assignments at the library recently too. When you hand in something, it means you give it back or submit it. The library has received many returned items today because people have remembered to hand in everything on time. This helps other people to borrow these items later. Have you hand in your library books yet? If not, you should hand them in before the library closes.

Grammar Explanation

Meaning

'Hand in' means to give something back or submit it, especially documents or borrowed items.

Grammar Note

The present perfect tense shows an action that happened at an unspecified time before now or that has relevance to the present. It is formed with 'have/has' + past participle.

Usage Tips

  • Use 'have/has handed in' to talk about completed actions related to the present.
  • Use 'hand in' when returning borrowed items or submitting work.
  • Remember the past participle of 'hand in' is 'handed in'.

Examples

I have handed in my library book this morning.

Returning a borrowed book

She has handed in her assignment at the library desk.

Submitting school work

They have already handed in the DVDs they borrowed last week.

Returning borrowed DVDs

Have you handed in your books before the deadline?

Asking about returning books on time

We have handed in all the forms needed for the library membership.

Submitting documents

Dialogue

Context: A student returns books at the library and talks with the librarian.

A:
Hello, I have handed in my books online, but I want to check if you received them.
B:
Let me check. Yes, you have handed in three books today.
A:
Great! I have handed in all my books before the due date this time.
B:
That's excellent. Thank you for handing them in on time.
A:
When have other students handed in their books recently?
B:
Many have handed in their books this week, so the shelves are full again.

Vocabulary

Library
A place where people can borrow books and other materials
Example: I go to the library to borrow books.
Synonym: Book centre
Borrow
To take something for a short time and return it later
Example: She borrowed a book from the library.
Synonym: Loan
Return
To give something back to the place or person it came from
Example: Please return the books by Friday.
Synonym: Give back
Assignment
A task or piece of work given to do
Example: He handed in his assignment before the deadline.
Synonym: Task
Deadline
The latest time by which something must be done
Example: The deadline for handing in books is next week.
Synonym: Due date
Submit
To give something for approval or judgement
Example: Students submit their homework at the library.
Synonym: Hand in
Staff
People who work at a place
Example: The library staff help visitors.
Synonym: Employees
Shelf
A flat board where books are kept
Example: The books are on the shelf.
Synonym: Rack
Visit
To go to a place for a short time
Example: I visit the library every week.
Synonym: Go to
Item
An object or thing
Example: She borrowed several items from the library.
Synonym: Object

Tips

  • Always check the due date to hand in your borrowed items on time.
  • Use 'have/has handed in' to talk about completed actions related to the present.
  • Don't confuse 'hand in' with 'hand out' which means to give something to many people.

Summary

In this lesson, you learned how to use the phrasal verb 'hand in' with the present perfect tense when talking about returning items at the library. You also practised common phrases and vocabulary related to borrowing and returning books.

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