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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Erm, I don't know really... I haven't thought about that before... | Эм, я точно не знаю... Я об этом раньше не думала... |
By the way, I've just had an idea! | Кстати, у меня есть идея! |
The Jaws movie soundtrack has started to play in my head now. | Сейчас в моей голове начал звучать саундтрек из фильма Челюсти. |
Have you found anything you like, dear? | Ты нашел что-то, что тебе понравилось, дорогой? |
I haven’t seen you here before. | Я тебя здесь не видела раньше. |
You must be the luckiest girl I've ever met! | Ты, наверное, самая везучая девушка из всех, кого я знаю! |
Anyway, have you finished checking the menu? | Кстати, ты закончил изучать меню? |
I've just brought him in for his injection. | Я просто привёл его на прививку. |
Let me see... Yes, it's already gone! | Дай проверить... Да, он уже сдан! |
Have you made a decision, dear? | Ты принял решение, дорогой? |
Seems Bear has already lost interest in Pogo. | Кажется, Беар уже потерял к Пого всякий интерес. |
I haven't asked him. | Я его не спрашивала. |
Let me see, hmm, some of the rice has spilled out. | Дай посмотреть, хмм, немного риса высыпалось. |
Have you checked the ad board at the station? | А ты проверяла объявления на доске на станции? |
Where have you been? It's been half an hour! | Где ты был? Прошло полчаса! |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | А ты? Мы не поговорили о тебе! |
Oh yes, I think I have seen them before. | О, да. Кажется, раньше я их видел. |
Not long, I have smoked a couple of cigarettes. | Не долго, я выкурил пару сигарет. |
Yeah, she is very pretty... Have you talked to Diego about moving? | Ага, она очень хорошенькая... Ты говорил с Диего о переезде? |
I'm not sure yet, we haven't had any time to talk about it. | Я еще не уверен, у нас не было времени поговорить об этом. |