BBC Learning English Grammar Challenge

Nuala's Grammar Explanation: Present perfect

Nuala: Elena used the present perfect 'I've lived'. We use the present perfect when we want to talk about a period of time that started in the past and continues until now. If the activity is completed or finished or we mention the exact time something happened, we use the past simple. Listen to Finn: Finn: I lived in London for 20 years. We use the present perfect to talk about an action that began in the past and is still continuing now, sometimes called the unfinished past. Finn: I haven't experienced many cities in my life. He hasnt experienced many cities in his life. The period of time we are talking about is his life, which hasnt finished yet. Elena: I've lived here for 6 years. Shes lived here for six years means she came to London six years ago and shes still here now. So, to recap then: We use the present perfect to talk about an action or state that began in the past and is still continues now. That's all from me, good luck with your grammar challenge!
British Broadcasting Corporation 2007

Extra information
The present perfect is essentially a present tense. Although it refers to the past, it's the effect on the present that we're highlighting when we use the present perfect. He hasn't experienced many cities in her life (his life up until now). She's lived in London for 6 years = She came to London 6 years ago (and she's still here now).

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BBC Learning English Grammar Challenge

British Broadcasting Corporation 2007

Positive subject I You We They He She has s have ve lived here for 6 years. been teaching for years. studied a lot this term. has/have past participle

Negative subject I You We They He She have not / has not have not havent ve not has not hasnt s not bought anything yet. been living here long. failed any exams this term. past participle

Question have / has subject I Have you we they Has he she (ever) ridden a horse? read Harry Potter? met anyone famous? (ever) past participle

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