Present Perfect
Present Perfect
We often use the present perfect to talk about the recent past and its relationsship with the present.
We don't say exactly when things happened.
I've cleaned the fridge - it looks new.
He hasn't done the washing-up.
Can you help me do it?
We often use the present perfect to give recent news.
Mary's had her baby!
A parcel has arrived for you.
We use yet to ask if something has happened or to say if it hasn't happened.
Have you finished your homework yet?
No, not yet.
I haven't finished yet.
We use just to say that something happened very recently.
My sister's just started a new job.
We use to say that something happened before now or earlier than expected.
No, I've already seen it three times.
We use the present perfect to talk about past experience or to talk about the recent past when we don't specify a time.
She's been to New York three times.
Have you ever been to Ikea?
I've never met Nina's husband.
He's seen that film twice.
present perfect or past simple?
Conversations about experiences or the recent past often begin in the present perfect (with general question or some recent news) and the change to the past simple to ask for or given specific details, e.g. what, when, where, who with, etc.
Have you ever been to Mexico?
Yes I have.
When did you go there?
I went last year.
Jack's broken his leg.
Oh no! When did that happen?
Yesterday. He broke it playing football.
We use the present perfect + for and since to talk about actions and states which started in the past and are still true now.
We use How long...? to ask questions about the duration of an action or state, e.g. How long have you been married?
Where do you live?
In Manchester.
How long have you lived there?
I've lived there for 20 years.
Where do you work?
In a primary school.
How long have you worked there?
I've worked there since 2015.
How long was Janet Leigh married to Tony Curtis?
She was married to him for 11 years.
How many books did she write?
She wrote four books.
How long has Jamie Lee Curtis been married?
She's been married since 1984.
What kind of books has she written?
She's written children's books.
We use the past simple to talk about a finished period of time in the past.
Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis are dead.
We use the present perfect with for and since to talk about an unfinished period of time, from the past until now.
Jamie Lee Curtis is still alive and still married.
Compare
Jack was married for ten years.
Jack is nor married now. He's divorced or dead.
Jack has been married for ten years.
Jack is married now. He got married ten years ago.
past experiences
We use the present perfect for past experiences when we don't say exactly when they happened.
recent past actions
We use the present perfect for recent past actions when we focus on the present result.
yet and already (for emphasis)
We use the present perfect with yet and already.
past simple
We use the past simple for finished past actions (when we say, ask, or know when they happened).
present perfect or past simple
We use the present perfect to talk about past experiences and recent past actions when we don't speciy a time.
We use the past simple to talk about finished actions in the past, when the time is mentioned or understood. We often use a past time expression, e.g. yesterday, last week, etc.