PRESENT PERFEC AND SIMPLE PAST (Already, yet and recently)

Present perfect and simple past: already, yet, recently

​Present perfect

We form the present perfect with have/has + past participle. We use it: to talk about experiences in our lives.

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I’ve been to the U.S. three times. I’ve never eaten Mexican food.

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Have you ever traveled abroad for work? She’s seen this movie before.

Lic. Antonio Roberto Silvestre

Present perfect

Lic. Antonio Roberto Silvestre

to talk about something that happened earlier than we expected, or didn’t happen when we expected, with already, yet, and still.

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I’ve already spoken to Tony.

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Have you written that report yet?

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I haven’t finished it yet. / I still haven’t finished it.

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To talk about the duration of a situation that started in the past and is still true now, with for and since.

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I’ve worked here for ten years. She’s lived here since 1985.

Present perfect or simple past

Lic. Antonio Roberto Silvestre

In addition to the adverbs above, we often use the present perfect with words and time expressions such as so far, this morning, today, this week, and this year.

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I’ve seen my friend twice this year.

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He's only read one chapter of the book so far.

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We use the present perfect to talk about the past from the perspective of the present.

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This is the best book I’ve ever read. (in my life until now)

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I’ve lived in London for five years. (I still live there.)

Present perfect or simple past

Lic. Antonio Roberto Silvestre Domingo

We use the present perfect or simple past to talk about something that happened a short time ago with recently.

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We('ve) recently moved to a new office.

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We usually use the simple past with just.

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I just saw your text message.

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We use the simple past to talk about completed actions in the past, and when they happened. We often use the simple past with words and past time expressions such as yesterday, last Saturday, last week, in 2014, five years ago, What time … ?, When … ?

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I lived in London for five years. (I don’t live there now.)

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We had a great vacation. (We’re not on vacation now.)

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I read that book last summer. I got home two hours ago. When did you arrive?

Present perfect and simple past

Lic. Antonio Roberto Silvestre Domingo

We often ask a question or say something in the present perfect and then give more information in the simple past.

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Have you ever met Ana’s sister?

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Yes, I’ve met her. I talked to her at Ana’s birthday party last month.

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Do you know anything about Lima?

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Yes, I’ve been to Lima, so I know it pretty well. I went there last year