Present Perfect:

FORM

  Positive Negative Question

I / you / we / the I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?

y

he / she / it He has spoken. He has not spoken. Has he spoken?

USE 1 Unspecified time before now

We use the present perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The
exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the present perfect with specific time expressions
such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that
moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the present perfect with unspecific expressions such
as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

 I have seen that movie twenty times.

 I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes in California.
 People have travelled to the Moon.
 People have not travelled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 Has there ever been a war in the United States?

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to associate
present perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the present perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the
experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience.

Examples:

 I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you
have been there once, or several times.
  I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
 I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you haven't had the experience of going to France.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never travelled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 Have you ever met him?
I’ve worked in 6 different countries.
 Have you ever been to Australia?
 She’s won many awards for her books.
 That’s the first time I’ve seen you get angry.

But if we say when we had the experience, we must use the past simple.

 I’ve visited Russia several times.

 BUT I visited Russia for the first time in 1992.

We can never use the present perfect with a time in the past.

 I have been to Spain in 2002.

 Although we do not give a specific time, we often use general time expressions like (ever,
never, before, in my life, so far, up until now) with this use of the present perfect:

We haven’t met before, have we?

We’re going to The City Star for dinner tonight. I’ve been there a couple of times before.

They’ve sold 110 copies so far. (so far = from a point in the past up until now)

 We often use (ever, not … ever and never) when we talk about experiences:

It was the worst performance we have ever seen.

Have you ever tried to write your name and address with your left hand?

She’s never said sorry for what she did.

 We often use the present perfect for a unique experience when we are using a superlative:

I felt the happiest I have ever felt.

The dome of the Blue Mosque at Isfahan is the most beautiful

building I have ever seen.

It was the best decision I have ever made in my life.

It’s the worst sports programme I have ever seen and the first I have ever turned off.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the present perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian
studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the present perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You
cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the present perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened.
Using the present perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the present perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the
past at different times. Present perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are
possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with
expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

  I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different
companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before
now, and it is considered a specific time which requires simple past. "In the last year" means from
365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires present perfect.

Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now.

USE 2 Duration from the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With Non-continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the present perfect
to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for
two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the present perfect.

Examples:

 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Although the above use of present perfect is normally limited to non-continuous verbs and non-
continuous uses of mixed verbs, the verbs "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used
in this way even though they are NOT non-continuous verbs.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement of adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever,
still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only seen that movie one time.

The present perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the
action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the
action itself.

THE PRESENT PERFECT IS USED TO DESCRIBE

 An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. I have lived in
Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
  An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. She has been to the cinema
twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
 A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. We have
visited Portugal several times.
 An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by 'just'. I have just
finished my work.
 An action when the time is not important. He has read 'War and Peace'. (= the result of his
reading is important)

ACTIONS OR SITUATIONS STARTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUING IN THE PRESENT

 They have lived here for years.

 She has worked in the bank for five years.
 We have had the same car for ten years.
 Have you played the piano since you were a child?

WHEN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO HAS NOT FINISHED

 I have worked hard this week.

 It has rained a lot this year.
 We haven't seen her today.
 They have been to the mall twice this month.
 She has watched that show three times this week.

ACTIONS REPEATED IN AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD BETWEEN THE PAST AND NOW.

 They have seen that film six times.

 It has happened several times already.
 She has visited them frequently.
 We have eaten at that restaurant many times.

ACTIONS COMPLETED IN THE VERY RECENT PAST (+JUST)

 Have you just finished work?

 I have just eaten.
 We have just seen her.
 Has he just left?

WHEN THE PRECISE TIME OF THE ACTION IS NOT IMPORTANT OR NOT KNOWN

 Someone has eaten my soup!

 Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
 She's studied Japanese, Russian, and English. 
 I have lost my purse.
 We have seen this movie already.
 He has broken his leg.
 There has been an accident.

We use the present perfect to talk about things that are unfinished – unfinished states and
unfinished time periods.

 I’ve known him since I was 11. (unfinished state)

I met him when I was 11. I still know him now. The present perfect is acting as a bridge
between the past and the present.
 I’ve had this watch for almost thirty years.
 We’ve lived here since I was a boy.

 She’s been to the cinema three times this week. (unfinished time period)

This week isn’t finished yet – she may go to the cinema again.

 We’ve already had two holidays this year.

 I’ve eaten too much today.

Another use of the present perfect is to show the present result of a past action

 I’ve lost my keys.

He lost his keys some time in the past but the result – he can’t get into his house – is in the
present.

 John’s broken his leg and he can’t go on holiday.

 A storm has blown down the telephone lines. We’re stuck here!
 Recent completed events
 We use the present perfect to talk about a finished event or state in the very recent past.
We do not give a specific time. We often use words like just, recently or lately for events
taking place a very short time before now:
 What’s this? What’s just happened?
 The company employs around 400 staff and has recently opened an office in the UK.
 Mary and John have just come back from a week in Spain.
 I have been  to London  recently.
 We use the present perfect when a single past action has a connection with the present:
 She’s broken her arm in two places. (Her arm is still broken now.)
 Why haven’t you dressed in something warmer? (You got dressed in the past but the
clothes are not warm enough for now.)
 A fire has broken out at a disused hotel on the seafront. (The fire is burning now; it’s a
recent event too.)
 Your flowers haven’t arrived. (Your flowers are not here; they were supposed to arrive in
the past.)
 Time + for and since
 We use the present perfect with for and since to talk about a present situation that began at
a specific point in the past and is still going on in the present. We are looking back from the
present to a point in the past.

 Compare

That house on the corner has For refers to periods of time, e.g. three

been empty for three years. years, four hours, ages, a long time,
 Not: … since three years. months, years.

That house on the Since refers to a previous point in time,

corner  has  been  empty since 2006. e.g. last Monday, last year, 1987,
Not: … for 2006. yesterday.

The house was empty in 2006 and it is still empty now.

PRESENT PERFECT WITH FOR

She has lived here for twenty years.

We have taught at this school for a long time.
Alice has been married for three months.
They have been at the hotel for a week.

PRESENT PERFECT WITH SINCE

She has lived here since 1980.

We have taught at this school since 1965.
Alice has been married since March 2nd.
They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.

 How long …?
 We often use expressions with for and since to answer the question How long …+present
perfect. We use the How long …? question to ask about the duration of a state or activity:

 A: How long have you worked there?

 B: Since 21 August. So for about four months.

 Yet
 We use yet + the present perfect, mainly in questions and negative statements, to refer to
things we intend to do in the future but which are not done:
 Don’t wash up that cup. I haven’t finished my coffee yet. (I intend to finish it.)
 Haven’t you done your homework yet? (You intend to do it.)
 Already
 We use already + the present perfect when we want to emphasise that something is done
or achieved, often before the expected time:
 I’ve already booked my flight home.
 A: Will you go and clean your teeth!
 B: I’ve already cleaned them.
Still

We use still + the present perfect when we want to emphasise that something we expected to
happen continues not to happen:
 She still hasn’t said sorry to me.

I feel really tired. I still haven’t recovered from the jet lag.

The present perfect expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence
on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

 already, ever, just, never, yet, so far, till now, up to now, recently, since, for

PRESENT PERFECT + EVER, NEVER, ALREADY, YET

EVER

The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now(Have you ever visited

Berlin?)'Ever' and 'never' are always placed before the main verb (past participle). Ever is used:

IN QUESTIONS

EXAMPLES
Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Prime Minister?

IN NEGATIVE QUESTIONS

EXAMPLES
Haven't they ever been to Europe?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?

IN NEGATIVE STATEMENTS USING THE PATTERN NOTHING+EVER OR

NOBODY+EVER

EXAMPLES
Nobody has ever said that to me before.
Nothing like this has ever happened to us.

WITH 'THE FIRST TIME'

EXAMPLES
It's the first time that I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.

NEVER
Never means at no time before now, and is the same as not ..... ever: (I have never visited Berlin)
BE CAREFUL!You must not use never and not together

I haven't never been to Italy.

I have never been to Italy.

ALREADY
Already refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no
need for repetition.

EXAMPLES
I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (= and you're offering me another one!)
Don't write to John, I've already done it.
 
It is also used in questions:

Have you already written to John?

Has she finished her homework already?

 
Already can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence:

I have already been to Tokyo.
I have been to Tokyo already.

YET
Yet is used in negative statements and questions, to mean (not) in the period of time between before now
and now, (not) up to and including the present.Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

EXAMPLES
Have you met Judy yet?
I haven't visited the Tate Gallery yet.
Has he arrived yet?
They haven't eaten yet.

PRESENT PERFECT VS. SIMPLE PAST

You must always use the Present perfect when the time of an action is not important or not specified.
You must always use the Simple past when details about the time or place that an action occurred are given or
requested.

COMPARE :

Present perfect Simple past

 I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.

They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.

Have you seen 'Othello'?. Where did you see 'Othello'?

We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?

Examples of Present Perfect Tense

Examples of using present perfect in talking about events that happened in the recent past but the
effect of the recent event is still felt in the present include:
 The children have made a mess in the kitchen.
 He has started a new job.
 She has finished her chores.
We can use time-related adverbs in the present perfect tense, as long as they don't refer to a time
which is finished. These words include: "already," "just" and "yet." Some examples of how these words
are used are:
 The book came out yesterday, but I have already read it. (Already is used to express that
something has happened sooner than expected.)
 She has just left the building. (Just is used to convey that the event happened a short time ago.)
 He hasn't finished it yet. (Yet is used in negative sentences to mean that something is expected
to happen.
The present perfect tense can also be used in questions using the words "already" and "yet." For
example:
 Why has he gone already?
 Have you called your mom yet?
 Has Anthony played basketball yet?

Exercises:
A: Choose the correct answer.
1. I’m really hungry. I (haven’t eaten / didn’t eat) yet.
2. They (arrived / have arrived) a week ago.
3. We (have worked / worked) here for three years.
4. They (didn’t recognise / haven’t recognised) me at yesterday’s meeting.
5. Our neighbour (was / has been) in hospital since Friday.
6. (Have you travelled / Did you travel) abroad many times?
B: Put the verbs in brackets in the correct form (Past Simple or Present Perfect):
1. John (not call) me recently.
2. They (buy) a new car last month.
3. The teacher (not return) the tests yet.
4. How long she (know) about this problem?
5. You ever (hear) such an unbelievable story?
6. When I was a child, I (live) in England for two years.
7. I am so excited to have a dog. I (always / want) one.
C: Correct the error in each of the sentences.
1. Have you ever eat Chinese food?
2. She has moved to another city last year.
3. They have sent out the invitations yet.
4. Jack hasn’t seen Jill since she has graduated.
5. Mr. Brown already left the office.
6. We haven’t been abroad since a year.
7. The lesson has started ten minutes ago.
8. Did she just leave?
D: Use THE SIMPLE PAST or THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE:
1. What (you / learn) since you (come) here? How many friends (you / make)? I hope you (already /
meet) a lot of interesting people.
2. Last night my roommate and I (have) some free time, so we (go) to a show.
3. I (just / have) lunch, but I (not / have) lunch yesterday.
4. Who (write) the play “Hamlet”?
5. How many games (the team / win) so far this season?
6. I don’t know Carol’s husband. I (never / meet) him.
7. It (rain) a lot last week, but it (not / rain) much so far this week.
8. How many letters (you / write) since the beginning of the month?
9. When we were on vacation, the weather (be) terrible.
10. In her whole lifetime, Mary (never / see) snow.
11. I don’t know where Ammy is. (you / see) her?
12. When I (get) home last night, I (be) very tired and I (go) straight to bed.
13. Your car looks very clean. (you / wash) it?
14. George (not / be) very well last week.
15. Mr. Clark (work) in a bank for 15 years. Then he gave it up.

E: Use THE SIMPLE PAST or THE PRESENT PERFECT of the verbs between brackets:
1. The young man (never / be) to Paris, but he (read) a book about this city last year.
2. You (decide) where to go yet?
3. A: Have some tea, please.
B: No, thank you. I (just / have) two cups of tea.
4. Susan (do) her homework before 10 o’clock but Jane (not /write) a word until now.
5. Her mother (buy) her a pair of new shoes yesterday.
6. The Prime Minister (leave) for the USA an hour ago.
7. A: The plane (land)?
B: Yes, it (land) ten minutes ago.
8. It (not / rain) for a long time.
9. You (see) my dog? It (run away) this morning.
10. We (meet) at a party a long time ago, but I (not / see) her since then.
11. I (see) an interesting book in a bookshop yesterday, but I (not / buy) it.
12. My friend (not / ride) a bicycle for ages.
13. His father (die) in 1970, but he (never / visit) his father’s grave since that time.
14. They (go) to America years ago, but none of them (come) back since then.
15. A: You (speak) to an Englishman?
B: Yes, I (have) a short conversation with one last night.
16. A: You ever (be) to Tatilya?
B: Yes, I (go) there two years ago.
17. A: You (see) Jane recently?
B: No, I (see) her for a long time.