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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Seems Bear has already lost interest in Pogo. | Parece que o Bear já perdeu interesse no Pogo. |
It's quite serious, he has been sick for a few years. | É bastante grave, ele está doente há alguns anos. |
Yeah, she is very pretty... Have you talked to Diego about moving? | Sim, ela é muito bonita... Você falou com o Diego sobre a mudança? |
I'm not sure yet, we haven't had any time to talk about it. | Ainda não tenho a certeza, ainda não tivemos tempo para falar sobre isso. |
Have you been to Brighton before? | Você já alguma vez esteve em Brighton? |
Hi Joseph, don't worry, we've just arrived, too. | Oi Joseph, não se preocupe, também acabamos de chegar. |
I've never realised that. | Eu nunca me tinha apercebido disso. |
Have you had breakfast? | Você já tomou o café da manhã? |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | E você? Não falamos sobre você! |
That was the worst house and owner I've ever seen in London. | Essa era a pior casa e a pior senhoria que já vi em Londres. |
Erm, I don't know really... I haven't thought about that before... | Erm, não sei, na verdade... Nunca tinha pensado nisso... |
Have you made a decision, dear? | Você já tomou uma decisão, querido? |
I've heard the name, but I'm not sure if I've watched it or not. | Eu já ouvi falar, mas não não tenho a certeza se já o vi ou não. |
We haven't had any problems so far. | Nós não tivemos nenhum problema até agora. |
Anyway, have you finished checking the menu? | Enfim, você já acabou de ver o menu? |
Have you had time to look for houses on the internet? | Você ainda não teve tempo de procurar casa na internet? |
Thank you, have you seen my bag? | Obrigado, você viu meu saco? |
Have you checked the ad board at the station? | Você já verificou o cartaz de anúncios na estação? |
By the way, I have finished washing the vegetables! | A propósito, acabei de lavar os vegetais! |
Telling me her sister has decided to come to London. | Dizendo que a irmã dela decidiu vir para Londres. |