In English we use the present perfect simple to talk about the following situations :
When we use the present perfect, there is a connection with now. The action in the past has a present result.
Notes for use of present perfect simple :
We can use the words 'just', 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple. We use 'just' to mean a short time ago, 'yet' to mean until now, when the speaker is expecting something to happen, and 'already' when something happened sooner than expected. We use 'just' and 'already' between the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' and the main verb in positive sentences. We use 'yet' at the end of negative sentences and questions.
When we start a sentence with the phrase "It's the first time", "It's the second time", etc, we continue with the present perfect simple tense.
The verb 'go' has two past participles : Been / Gone
In English we use 'been' when we talk about going somewhere and coming back and we use 'gone' to indicate the person is still there.
The table below shows the different forms of present perfect simple :
Example verb : Go | I / You / We / they | He / She / It |
Positive | ...'ve gone ... | ...'s gone ... |
Negative | ... haven't gone ... | ... hasn't gone ... |
Questions | Have ... gone ...? | Has ... gone? |
Short answers | Yes, ... have. / No, ... haven't. | Yes, ... has. / No, ... hasn't. |
Present Perfect Simple Example Sentences :
Positive Examples of Present Perfect Simple :
Negative Examples of Present Perfect Simple :
Question Examples of Present Perfect Simple :
In English we often use the present perfect simple with 'ever' and 'never'. 'Ever' means at any time in your life until now. It is often used in questions for emphasis.
Examples Sentences :
'Ever' is also used with nothing and nobody to talk about things that haven't happened.
Example Sentences :
'Ever' is also used with 'the first time' for first experiences.
Example Sentences :
'Never' is originally the contraction of 'not ever'. Never means the subject hasn't had a certain experience before.
Example Sentences :
In English 'Never' can be used in negative questions to show surprise that someone hasn't had a particular experience before.
Example Questions :
In English we use the present perfect simple with superlatives.
Example Sentence :
In English we also use the present perfect simple to describe change.
Example Sentence :
In English we often use the present perfect simple tense to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an action). We usually use 'for' or 'since' with this structure.
Example Sentences :
We use 'for' to talk about a period of time - 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years.
We use 'since' to talk about a point in past time - 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday.
Example Sentences :
In English, 'For' can be used with all tenses. 'Since' is usually used with perfect tenses only.
Although the above use of present perfect simple is normally limited to non-continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, the words "live," "work," "teach," and "study" are sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT non-continuous verbs.
In English we don't usually use the present perfect continuous with verbs that talk about short actions such as start, find, lose, break, buy, stop, etc. Then we use present perfect simple.
Present perfect simple example sentences | |
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Have you had time to look for houses on the internet? | Tu as eu le temps de chercher des maisons sur Internet? |
You haven't heard my offer yet. | Tu n'as pas encore entendu mon offre. |
I've never realised that. | Je ne l’avais jamais réalisé. |
You are exaggerating now, it's just been 10 minutes. | Tu exagères là, ça fait seulement 10 minutes. |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | Et toi? On parle pas de toi! |
I've had food poisoning from chicken before. | J'ai déjà été victime d'une intoxication alimentaire à cause du poulet. |
I've heard the name, but I'm not sure if I've watched it or not. | J'en ai déjà entendu parler de nom, mais je ne suis pas sûre si je l'ai déjà regardé ou non. |
You must be the luckiest girl I've ever met! | Tu dois être la fille la plus chanceuse que j'ai jamais rencontré! |
Have you eaten anything? | Tu as mangé quelque chose? |
Don't exaggerate mate, it's just been a couple of months. | N'exagère pas camarade, ça n'a été le cas que pendant quelques mois. |
Haven't you cooked it before? | N'en n'as tu jamais cuisiné avant? |
I haven't seen you with this guy before. | Je ne t'ai jamais vu avec ce gars auparavant. |
Have you found anything you like, dear? | As-tu trouvé quelque chose que tu aimes, chéri ? |
Have you had breakfast? | Tu as pris ton petit déjeuner? |
By the way, I've just had an idea! | Ceci dit, je viens d'avoir une idée! |
Where have you been? It's been half an hour! | Où étais-tu ? Cela fait une heure ! |
Thank you, have you seen my bag? | Merci, avez-vous vu mon sac ? |
Laura has just started working at our school. | Laura vient juste de commander à travailler dans notre école. |
That was the worst house and owner I've ever seen in London. | C'était la pire maison et propriétaire que j'ai jamais vu à Londres. |
That sounds better! Have you decided what to order? | C'est mieux ! T'es-tu décidée à propos de quoi commander ? |