Present perfect

Present perfect simple

by David Cutimbo

Present perfect

​Experiences

​We can use the present perfect to talk about experiences in our lives.

Present perfect experience

• I've been to Indonesia.

• She hasn't eaten sushi.

Open Ended

To talk about past experiences when you don´t say when something happened, often with ever or never.

"Just"

​Recent actions but remember we don´t use time!

• I've just seen Susan coming out of the cinema.

• Mike's just called. Can you ring him back, please?

• Have you just taken my pen?!

Open Ended

With words such as:

JUST

Already used with the present perfect means 'before now'. We use it to emphasise that something happened before something else or earlier than expected.

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​Already

• I've already spent my salary and it's two weeks before payday.

• He wanted to see Sudden Risk but I've already seen it.

• The train's left already!

Open Ended

With words such as:

ALREADY

used with the present perfect means 'at any time up to now'. We use it to emphasise that we expect something to happen soon. Yet (in this context) is only used in negative sentences and questions.

​yet

• Have you finished your homework yet?

• I haven't finished it yet. I'll do it after dinner.

• A. Where's Sam? B: He hasn't arrived yet.

Open Ended

With words such as:

YET

​Superlatives

• It is the best movie that I have seen recently.

• It is the best movie that I have seen. (whole life)

• It is the best movie that I have seen in my life.

• The best movie that I have ever seen is Batman.

• The best meat that I have eaten is Korean beef.

• The worst book that I have read is this book.

Open Ended

WITH SUPERLATIVES

Finish action or events

Present perfect is used to show that a finished action/event has a connection with the present or has a result in the present.

• I can’t go out because I’ve lost my keys.

• She’s had an accident and she’s in the hospital now.

• I’ve had lunch so I’m not hungry.

Open Ended

For finished actions (when no time is specified) which have present results

" We often talk about repeated actions/events from the past until now." 

• We’ve visited China many times.

• I’ve been to France twice.

• The phone has rung five times since lunchtime.

Open Ended

We often talk about repeated actions/events from the past until now

Open Ended

With non-actions verbs (=verbs: need, know, like, understand) pretty common with time expressions like How long...? for or since, all day/evening