PRESENT PERFECT
To talk about experiences: time- not To talk about past + present (effect on present)
known/important I’ve made a cake. Would you like some?
I’ve never climbed a mountain. I’ve had my hair cut. / Jenny has painted her room.
Sarah has been to Europe twice.
Look! I’ve bought a new dress.
Mark has written three novels. The kids have broken the window.
I’ve swum with dolphins. Tom has broken his arm.
Maggie has never travelled on a train.
I haven’t washed my car for weeks. It looks dirty.
To talk about new info.
She’s been in England for 6 months.
I’ve bought a new car. Have you ‘ever’ done...?
She has had a baby! It’s a boy.
Have you ever been abroad?
There has been an accident in front of my Have you ever climbed a mountain?
house.
Have you ever done bungee jumping?
A period that started in the past- continues until With twice, three times, many times:
now
I’ve read that book many times.
(recently, in the last few weeks, so far, since, for a
They’ve been abroad twice.
long time)
There have been many earthquakes in Japan.
I’ve had a cold for two weeks. / I’ve met a lot of
people in the last few days. / We haven’t seen each Sarah has seen that movie three times!
other for ages. / Have you heard from John recently? / It’s the (first) time sth has happened:
We’ve known each other since we were kids.
It’s the first time Don has driven a car. (He has
With unfinished time expressions: never driven a car before.)
Ted has drunk three cups of coffee today. Elena has lost her passport again. This is the second
We’ve earned so much money this week. time she has lost it.
I’ve seen Julia twice this month. Bill keeps caaling his girlfriend. It’s the third time
he has phoned her.
Camille has been to three different countries this year.
FOR SINCE
A period of time The start of a period
How long have you been married? How long have you been married?
We’ve been married for three years. We’ve been married since 2011.
I’ve been waiting for two hours. I’ve been waiting since 8 o’clock.
We’ve known each other for 8 years. We’ve known each other since 2006.
*** since we were kids.
For : 2 weeks, months, ages, 5 minutes, Since: Monday, April, yesterday, lunchtime,
years, the last six months... last Friday, 8 o’clock, this morning...
Just: A short time ago. Yet: A short time ago. (?, -)
-Are you hungry? – No, I’ve just had lunch. Have you finished your homework yet?
-Am I late? – No, the lecture has just started. Has it stopped raining yet?
-Where is Sam? – He has just walked in. I’ve written the email, but I haven’t sent it yet.
Already: Sth has happened sooner than She hasn’t called me yet.
expected. We haven’t met yet.
-Don’t forget to pay the bill. – I’ve already Gone – Been (to)
paid it.
James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (still
-When is Mark leaving? – He has already left.
there)
-You can go out after you finish your
Lily is back now. She has been to Italy. (at home/
homework. – I’ve already done it. has come back.)
PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE PAST
Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it. He (5 min. Later) Now Tom has found his key. He has it
has lost his key. (He doesn’t have his key now.) now.
Has he lost his key? No, he has found it.
Did he lose his key? Yes, he did.
Have you seen Anna this morning? (still morning) Did you see Anna this morning? (afternoon or evening)
Jack lives in L.A. He has lived there for seven Jack lived in New York for 5 years. Now he lives in
years. L.A.
I’ve really enjoyed this holiday. (still on holiday) I really enjoyed the holiday. (after you come back.)
It hasn’t rained this week. It didn’t rain last week.
I haven’t seen Lisa recently. I didn’t see Lisa on Sunday.
