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 | |
---|---|
Have you been to Brighton before? | Vous avez déjà été à Brighton auparavant ? |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | Et toi? On parle pas de toi! |
Have you seen Diego around? | Tu as vu Diégo par ici? |
But it's the first time I've seen this view look so beautiful. | Mais c'est la première fois que je vois un coucher de soleil aussi beau. |
No, I haven't had any time to check it yet. | Non, je n'ai pas eu le temps d'aller vérifier. |
I haven't asked him. | Je ne lui ai pas demandé. |
Of course, but you haven't finished the wine in your glass yet. | Bien sûr, mais tu n'as pas encore fini le vin dans ton verre. |
I've had food poisoning from chicken before. | J'ai déjà été victime d'une intoxication alimentaire à cause du poulet. |
By the way, I have finished washing the vegetables! | Au fait, j'ai fini de laver les légumes! |
You must be the luckiest girl I've ever met! | Tu dois être la fille la plus chanceuse que j'ai jamais rencontré! |
You haven't heard my offer yet. | Tu n'as pas encore entendu mon offre. |
One of my friends has opened a small pub around here. | L'un de mes amis a ouvert un petit pub à proximité d'ici. |
Laura has just started working at our school. | Laura vient juste de commander à travailler dans notre école. |
Thank you, have you seen my bag? | Merci, avez-vous vu mon sac ? |
Oh yes, I think I have seen them before. | Oh oui, je pense que je les ai déjà vu. |
Have you found anything you like, dear? | As-tu trouvé quelque chose que tu aimes, chéri ? |
Unfortunately, I've decided to stay in London for another month. | Malheureusement, j'ai décidé de rester à Londres encore un mois. |
Hi Rocco, we want some chardonnay, but it seems you've run out. | Salut Rocco, nous voudrions du Chardonnay mais il semblerait que tu n'en es plus. |
We haven't had any problems so far. | Nous n'avons jamais eu aucun problème. |
Yes, it's been exactly 3 years! | Oui, cela fait exactement 3 ans ! |