An ACTION that was COMPLETED at SOME TIME in the past, or that STARTED in the PAST and CONTINUES
We form the Present Perfect with:
have/has + past participle (-ed, II column)
1. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT TO TALK ABOUT PAST ACTIONS AND SITUATIONS THAT HAVE A RESULT IN THE PRESENT.
- Alan has made a cake. (There is a cake we can eat now)
- Has anyone seen my jacket? (I can't find it)
- They haven't spoken to each other for ages.
- I can't play basketball because I've broken my leg.
2. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT IN POSITIVE STATEMENTS WITH JUST & ALREADY:
- I've already seen that film.
- He has just arrived from Rome.
- I've already been there.
3. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT WITH YET IN NEGATIVES AND QUESTIONS.
- Have you finished your homework yet?
- He hasn't eaten yet.
4. WE CAN USE STILL BEFORE THE NEGATIVE PRESENT PERFECT WITH THE MEANING 'EVEN NOW'.
- I still haven't found my jacket.
- I still haven't finished my homework.
5. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT TO TALK ABOUT PEOPLE'S LIVES UNTIL NOW (WITH: ALWAYS, NEVER, EVER...)
- I've always been a vegetarian.
- I've never eaten meat.
- Have you ever tasted real caviare?
6. WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT TO TALK OR ASK ABOUT THE RESULT OF A RECENT COMPLETED ACTIVITY (WITH: HOW MUCH / HOW MANY)
- Sally has finished the preparations for the party. - Great! How many cakes has she made?
- She's baked four chocolate cakes and made some ice cream.
7. WE CAN USE THE PRESENT PERFECT TO TALK ABOUT THE NEWS:
- The president has announced the major tax increases.
- The pound has fallen against the dollar.
8. WE OFTEN USE THE PRESENT PERFECT WITH: ALREADY, YET AND STILL TO EXPRESS SURPRISE:
- Our bus still hasn't arrived. (=We expected it to arrive before now)
- England have already scored a goal. (=surprisingly early)
- The postman hasn't been yet. (=We expected him before now, he's late)
9. WE DO NOT USE THE PRESENT PERFECT IF WE AREN'T THINKING ABOUT THE PRESENT:
- I've travelled in Africa a lot. (I know Africa well)
- Some people think that Shakespeare travelled a lot in Germany. (Shakespeare isn't alive)
- We've learn't enough to pass the exam. (The exam is yet to come)
- We learnt enough to pass the exam. (The exam is over)
10. TIME NOT MENTIONED:
- Have you seen Romeo and Juliet?
- I've been here before.
- I've heard of that name before.
11. THIS YEAR, MONTH, WEEK, AFTERNOON
- I haven't seen him this morning. (It's still morning)
- I didn't see him this morning. (It's the evening)
12. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME (the second, third etc):
- This is the first time I've seen this man.
