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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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. |
It's the first time we've come to this vet, actually. | É a primeira vez que vimos a este veterinário, na verdade. |
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. |
Have you found it yet? | Já encontrou? |
That sounds better! Have you decided what to order? | Muito melhor! Já sabe o que vai pedir? |
It's quite serious, he has been sick for a few years. | É bastante grave, ele está doente há alguns anos. |
Have you had time to look for houses on the internet? | Você ainda não teve tempo de procurar casa na internet? |
Where is the lucky girl, has she left already? | Onde está a sortuda, já foi embora? |
Okay, have you completed your list now? | Tudo bem, você já concluiu sua lista? |
Have you found it yet? | Já encontrou? |
Seems Bear has already lost interest in Pogo. | Parece que o Bear já perdeu interesse no Pogo. |
Have you found anything you like, dear? | Encontrou alguma coisa que goste, querido? |
How is Jen doing, have you sorted out your problems yet? | Como está a Jen, vocês já resolveram os vossos problemas? |
Unfortunately, I've decided to stay in London for another month. | Infelizmente, eu decidi ficar em Londres mais um mês. |
I'm sorry dear, you are the cleverest person I've ever known. | Lamento, querido, você é a pessoa mais inteligente que eu já conheci. |
Oh, Mike! Is that you? It's been a very long time, where have you been? | Oh, Mike! É você? Há tanto tempo, que tem feito? |
Haven't you cooked it before? | Nunca cozinhou esse arroz antes? |
I've had food poisoning from chicken before. | Já tive uma intoxicação alimentar antes por comer frango. |
By the way, I've just had an idea! | A propósito, acabei de ter uma ideia! |
Where have you been? It's been half an hour! | Onde você esteve? Passou meia hora! |