Present PerfectPresent Perfect

Present Perfect SimplePresent Perfect Simple

HaveHave you workedworked for the company before?

HasHas she thoughtthought about going abroad?

have / hashave / has

I have have seenseen the film before.She has has studiedstudied English before.

They havehaven’tn’t seenseen the film before.He hashasn’tn’t seenseen the film before.

past participlepast participle++

PresentPresentPresentPresent PerfectPerfectPerfectPerfect

Meaning and usesMeaning and usesMeaning and usesMeaning and uses

Present, unfinished timetime Perfect, completed action in the past

1. Present result1. Present result

2. Recent events2. Recent events

3. Indefinite events3. Indefinite events

USES:USES:

• The resultresult of the eventevent is present.

1. Present result1. Present result1. Present result1. Present result

I’veve brokenbroken the window, as you can seeas you can see.

I think I’veve eateneaten too much. I don’t feel wellI don’t feel well.

10:00

14:00

The difference: Present Perfect & Past Simple

The difference: Present Perfect & Past Simple

• The Past SimpleThe Past Simple is used for something that happened in the past and that has no direct link no direct link to the presentto the present.

I lostlost my keys, but I foundfound them.

I have losthave lost my keys. I can’t use my car.

BUT

2. Recent events2. Recent events2. Recent events2. Recent events

• Recent events near the present momentnear the present moment. A time expression may emphasize recentness (just, recently, latelyjust, recently, lately).

I’ve’ve justjust brokenbroken my watch.

This is the first timeThis is the first time I have eatenhave eaten Japanese food.

3. Indefinite events3. Indefinite events3. Indefinite events3. Indefinite events

• No definite timeNo definite time is given for the event.

I’ve’ve beenbeen to Paris four times.

April 2010

March 2012

October 2012

May 2014

I wentwent to London in Augustin August.

• Compared with Past SimplePast Simple – Events described using a definite past timedefinite past time (yesterday, last week, in 1998 ...yesterday, last week, in 1998 ...)

I have beenhave been to London twice this yearthis year.

BUT

The difference: Present Perfect & Past Simple

The difference: Present Perfect & Past Simple

Gerald has bought a new car. He bought it last week.

Have you met Ray? Yes, I met him when we were students.

My parents have been to India twice. In fact,

they went there last year.

Has anybody phoned me? Yes, Joyce phoned an hour ago.

I’ve seen that man before. Really? When did you see him?

Circle the correct tense

1. I looked up at the sky and saw / have seen a very bright light.

2. I lost / have lost the keys to my car. I don’t know what to do.

3. I felt / have felt much better when I got to the mountains.

4. It rained / has rained for two days before we could leave the hotel for the first time.

5. I told / have told you the same thing over and over again. Why don’t you listen? I’ll tell you again, but please pay attention this time.

6. It became /has become very hot in here suddenly. Is there something wrong with the air-conditioning?

7. Haven’t you finished your homework yet? I finished / have finished mine hours ago.

8. I waited / have waited for hours but nobody came.

9. I met / have met many interesting people since I came here last May.

10. You smoked / have smoked ten cigarettes so far today. Don’t you think you should stop?

11. Last week I invited / have invited a few friends over for dinner.

12. After less than 10 minutes they realised / have realised that they were lost.

Note the differenceNote the difference

• He has been to Italy. Now he is at home. Now he is at home.

He can tell you wonderful stories about Italy.He can tell you wonderful stories about Italy.

• Where’s Peter?

• He has gone to Italy. He is in Italy or He is in Italy or

on his way to Italy.on his way to Italy.

been / gone