Present Perfect

​The present perfect is used to describe an action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.

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The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost/done/written, etc.).

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Example:

I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)​

She has been to the cinema twice this week (=the week isn't over yet.)​

​You can use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

​Just = a short time ago:

• ‘Are you hungry?' ‘No, I've just had lunch.'

• Hello. Have you just arrived?

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We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected:

• ‘Don't forget to pay your electricity bill' ‘I've already paid it.'

• ‘What time is Mark leaving?' 'He's already left.'

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Yet = until now. Yet shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences:

• ​Has it stopped raining yet?

• I've written the email, but I haven't sent it yet.

​Study the difference between gone (to) and been (to): ...

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James is on holiday. He has gone to Italy. (= he is there now or on his way there).

Jane is back home now. She has been to Italy. (= she has now come back)