KNOWLEDGE BASICS
Present perfect – use
Past events when time is not mentioned
We use the present perfect to talk about past actions or events when time is not mentioned, i.e. we don’t say when these events happened.
- I‘ve broken my arm.
- I’ve passed the exam.
- She’s found a job.
just already, yet
We often the present perfect with just, already and yet. We can use just after the verb have to emphasise that these events are very recent.
We use already in positive sentences to talk about actions that we have completed sooner than we expected. Already goes after the verb have.
- I‘ve already finished my homework.
We use yet in negative sentences and questions to talk about things that we expect to happen soon. Yet goes at the end of the sentence.
- Have you finished your homework yet?
- I haven’t finished my homework yet.
recently
We often use the present perfect with recently to talk about past recent actions.
- They‘ve recently bought a new car.
today, this week, this month, this year
We can use the present perfect with time expressions when the time we mention has not finished.
- I‘ve seen John today. (=Today has not finished.)
- Has she called you this week?
Past experiences – never, ever, before
We use the present perfect to talk about past experiences when we don’t say or we don’t know when something happened.
- He has been to the moon. He’s an astronaut.
- I haven’t been to India.
never, ever, before
We often use the words never, ever, or before to talk about experiences.
- I‘ve never read this book.
- Have you ever seen a John Wayne film.
- I haven’t experienced anything like this before.
The best thing I’ve ever done
We can use the present perfect simple with a superlative adjective and ever.
- This is the best meal I’ve ever had.
- It’s the most amazing place we’ve ever travelled to.
How many times
We can also use the present perfect to say how many times something has happened until now.
- I’ve watched this film three times.
- We’ve been to Paris twice.
Duration from the past until now – for, since
We can use the present perfect with for, since and how long to ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished.
- We‘ve been married for 25 years.
- I‘ve had this watch since I was a kid.
- How long have you been friends?
Compare:
- We‘ve been married for 20 years. (=We are married now)
- We were married for 20 years. Then we divorced. (We are not married now)
for + period of time; since + moment in the past
We use for + period of time (2 hours, 3 days, 20 years, etc.) and we use since + the moment in the past when something started.
- I’ve been here for hours.
- She’s been my teacher for three years.
- I’ve been unemployed since May.
- I’ve lived in this town since I was born.
lately, all morning/day/year/etc.
We can also use the present perfect with lately or with all + period of time (all day, all morning, all my life, etc.) to talk about actions that started in the past and continue in the present.
- She’s been with me all day.
- I’ve been very busy lately.
