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 eaten anything? | 何か食べた? |
You haven't heard my offer yet. | 僕の提案をまだ聞いてない。 |
By the way, don't think I've forgotten our beer deal. | ところで、ビールをおごる件を忘れないでね。 |
I haven't finished my breakfast yet. | まだ朝ご飯食べ終えてないぜ。 |
I haven’t seen you here before. | あなたに以前、会ったことはないわ。 |
Haven't you cooked it before? | 前に作ったことないの? |
I haven't had that problem before. | 前にそんな問題抱えたことがないよ。 |
Oh, Mike! Is that you? It's been a very long time, where have you been? | え、マイク! お前か? ずいぶん久しぶりじゃないか。どこにいるんだ? |
By the way, I have finished washing the vegetables! | ところで、私野菜洗い終わったわ! |
I haven't been able to visit them before. | 今まで行くことが出来なかったんだ。 |
Have you had time to look for houses on the internet? | インターネットで家を探す時間はあったの? |
Diego took him out, it has been about 45 minutes. | ディエゴが連れ出したよ、45分くらいかかるよ。 |
Alright, it has been sorted! | よし、準備完了だ ! |
You are the first woman I've heard snoring in real life. | 実生活で女性のいびきを聞くのは君が初めてだよ。 |
Yes, I have heard that before. | うん、僕も前に聞いたことがあるよ。 |
It's the first time we've come to this vet, actually. | 実はこの獣医さんに連れてくるのは初めてなんだ。 |
Have you checked the ad board at the station? | 駅の広告板は見たかい? |
Erm, I don't know really... I haven't thought about that before... | もう、知らないわよ… そんなこと最初に考えなかったもの… |
Unfortunately, I've decided to stay in London for another month. | 残念だけど、もう一月ロンドンに残ることにしたの。 |
I've had food poisoning from chicken before. | 私前にチキンで食中毒をおこした事があるの。 |