Present Perfect

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

Uses of Present Perfect

The use of the Present Perfect tense in English may be a bit complex for foreign students of English, because it is not always used as its equivalent forms in other languages like French, Spanish or Italian.

In the following slides you will find a few simplified, general grammar rules.

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

4 main uses of Present Perfect

Experiences

News / time not mentioned

Repetition and continuation

This is the first time…

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

1. Experiences

We use Present Perfect when we talk about personal experiences or completed actions, usually with time adverbs that mean ‘at some / any time up to now’.

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

by nimages DR

e.g. Have you ever been to Paris?

I’ve never seen a film like this. It’s terrifying!

She has already finished her homework.

2. News / time not mentioned

Present Perfect is the most normal tense for giving news of recent events or when we talk about a past event and we do not mention exactly when it happened. We change to past simple when we give the details.

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

by Ed Yourdon

e.g. Anna has bought a new laptop.

There has been an plane crash near London.

3. Repetition and continuation

We often use Present Perfect to say that something has happened several times up to the present, or to talk about how long present situations have lasted in a time period that the speaker considers unfinished. Present tenses are not used in this way.

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

by freeparking

e.g. I have read three books this month vs. I read three books last month.

We’ve been friends since 1985. (NOT We are friends since 1985).

4. This is the first time…

We use Present Perfect in sentences constructed with ‘This / It / That is the first / second / third / only / best / worst...’

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

by Bobcatnorth

e.g. This is the first time I have skied.

That is the third time you have asked me the same question.

Time expressions

Time expressions used with Present Perfect include:

for / since / how longalready / yet / just

lately / recentlyalways / ever / never

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

Time expressions

e.g. I’ve known him for five years.She’s been ill since Monday.How long have you lived in Liverpool?I’ve already finished my homework.Have you told her yet?I’ve just received a phone call.Have you read any good books lately?She has recently published a book.She has always loved you.They have never worked abroad.

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

Compare:He has baked three cakes this morning vs.(it is still morning period of time not finished)

He baked three cakes this morning.(now it is evening period of time finished)

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

Present Perfect or Past Simple?

Compare:I have lived in London for two years vs.(I still live there period of time not finished)

I lived in London for two years.(I no longer live there period of time finished)

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz

Been or gone?

Compare:He has gone to London vs.(He’s still there. He hasn’t come back yet)

He has been to London.(He’s visited London, but he is not there now. He’s come back)

Intermedio IIsabel de la Cruz