Present Perfect

Present Perfect

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Use the present perfect for:

  1. Life experiences in the past. We don’t say when these happened: we are interested in the experience, not the time or date. We often use ever and never.

    I’ve seen
     all Tarantino’s films.
    Have you ever eaten
     sushi? - Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.

  2. Recent past actions that are important now.

    Oh no! I’ve left my wallet on the bus.
    The president 
    has resigned.

  3. Past situations that are still happening now. We often use how long with for (throughout a period of time) and since (from a point in the past until now).

    I haven’t seen Jenny this morning. (It is still this morning.)
    How long have you known
     Mitya? - I’ve known him for two years.
    Jack's been
     in Italy since January.

  4. With just, already, yet to talk about recent events in the past. The exact time is not important. Use just and already mainly in positive sentences. Use yet in negatives and questions.

    It’s just stopped raining. Let’s go out.
    Can you feed the cat? - 
    I’ve already fed her.
    We can still watch the film. 
    It hasn’t started yet.
    Have you done
     your English homework yet?


Note: Use the past simple for completed actions in the past.

I saw Jenny yesterday.
Peter moved
 to Saudi Arabia in 2011.
Natasha didn't want
 another piece of cake.
When did you see
 Alex?


Form:

For positive sentences:  subject + have/has + past participle.
For negative sentences:  subject + have/has + not + past participle 
For questions: have/has + subject + past participle?

I've finished the report.
Jack's been
 in Italy since January.
We've just got back
 from Germany.
I haven’t seen
 Jenny this morning.
How long has Alex known
 Mitya?


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