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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Unfortunately, I've decided to stay in London for another month. | 실은, 제가 런던에 한 달 더 머무르기로 해서요. |
It's the first time we've come to this vet, actually. | 이 동물병원에 온 건 사실 처음이에요. |
Have you checked if we have enough plates? | 접시가 충분히 있는지는 확인했어? |
Yes sir... Have you finished unpacking your luggage? | 그럽죠, 선생님... 너 짐은 다 풀었어? |
By the way, don't think I've forgotten our beer deal. | 그나저나, 내가 맥주 약속 잊었다고는 생각하지 마. |
Have you found anything you like, dear? | 마음에 드는 곳 찾은 거 있어, 자기? |
Yeah, kind of, the landlords have decided to sell the house. | 네, 말하자면요. 집주인들이 집을 팔기로 해서. |
Have you had breakfast? | 아침은 먹었어? |
Laura has just started working at our school. | 로라가 이제 갓 우리 학교에 부임해왔거든. |
Not long, I have smoked a couple of cigarettes. | 오래는 아냐, 담배 몇 대 피웠어. |
Don't exaggerate mate, it's just been a couple of months. | 과장하지 말라구. 아직 몇 달 안됐어. |
It's quite serious, he has been sick for a few years. | 꽤 심각해, 벌써 몇 년간 아프셨거든. |
Haven't you cooked it before? | 요리해본 적 없어? |
No, I haven't had any time to check it yet. | 아니, 그걸 확인할 시간은 없었어. |
Have you found it yet? | 찾았어? |
That was the worst house and owner I've ever seen in London. | 여태 런던에서 본 최악의 집이고 최악의 집주인이야. |
Let me see, hmm, some of the rice has spilled out. | 좀 보자. 흐음, 쌀이 좀 새어나왔어. |
I haven’t seen you here before. | 여기서 본 건 처음인데. |
That sounds better! Have you decided what to order? | 좀 낫군! 뭐 시킬 지는 결정했고? |
By the way, I've just had an idea! | 근데, 방금 좋은 생각이 떠올랐어! |