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 | |
---|---|
Has he broken his leg? | 고 놈 다리가 부러진 건가? |
I mean, have you calmed down? | 그러니까, 좀 진정했어? |
Have you been to Brighton before? | 브라이튼에 가본 적 있어? |
I've just brought him in for his injection. | 접종 맞히러 데려온 거예요. |
You haven't heard my offer yet. | 내가 무슨 말 할지도 안 들어보고. |
Of course, but you haven't finished the wine in your glass yet. | 물론이지, 하지만 잔에 따른 와인도 아직 덜 마셨잖아. |
I've had some cats before. | 전에 고양이를 몇번 키웠어요. |
Have you checked the ad board at the station? | 역에 광고 게시판은 확인해봤고? |
By the way, I've just had an idea! | 근데, 방금 좋은 생각이 떠올랐어! |
You must be the luckiest girl I've ever met! | 너 내가 만난 여자 중에 최고로 운이 좋은 사람인 거 같아! |
I haven’t seen you here before. | 여기서 본 건 처음인데. |
Yes sir... Have you finished unpacking your luggage? | 그럽죠, 선생님... 너 짐은 다 풀었어? |
Let me see... Yes, it's already gone! | 보자... 응, 여기는 벌써 나갔대! |
You are exaggerating now, it's just been 10 minutes. | 에이, 과장한다. 겨우 10분 지났어. |
One of my friends has opened a small pub around here. | 내 친구가 요 주변에 작은 펍을 열었는데 말야. |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | 너는? 우리 네 얘기는 안했네! |
Erm, I don't know really... I haven't thought about that before... | 음, 그건 글쎄 잘... 생각해본 적이 없는 주제라... |
Laura has just started working at our school. | 로라가 이제 갓 우리 학교에 부임해왔거든. |
It's the first time I've seen you tidy your room since I've known you. | 내가 널 만난 이래로 방 청소하는 건 처음 본다. |
I haven't asked him. | 안 물어봤는데. |