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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But it's the first time I've seen this view look so beautiful. | 但是这是我第一次发现这里的景色这么美。 |
You are exaggerating now, it's just been 10 minutes. | 现在你开始夸张了,就10钟而已。 |
Yes, it's been exactly 3 years! | 是的,完全正确,就是3年! |
Diego took him out, it has been about 45 minutes. | 迪亚哥带它出去了,已经走了45分钟了。 |
Yeah, she is very pretty... Have you talked to Diego about moving? | 是的,她非常漂亮... 你和迭戈谈过搬家的事了吗? |
Yes sir... Have you finished unpacking your luggage? | 是的长官... 你的行李都拆完了吗? |
One of my friends has opened a small pub around here. | 我的一个朋友在这附近开了一间小酒吧。 |
I'm sorry dear, you are the cleverest person I've ever known. | 亲爱的,对不起,你是我认识的最聪明的人。 |
I mean, have you calmed down? | 我是说,你冷静下来了吗? |
We haven't had any problems so far. | 到目前为止,我们没有碰到任何问题。 |
You are the first woman I've heard snoring in real life. | 你现实生活中第一个我听到打呼噜的女人。 |
It's quite serious, he has been sick for a few years. | 病情非常严重,他已经病了好多年了。 |
I've never realised that. | 我从未意识到可以这样来分辨。 |
Not long, I have smoked a couple of cigarettes. | 不长,我抽了两根烟。 |
That was the worst house and owner I've ever seen in London. | 那是我在伦敦见过的最差的房子和业主。 |
Have you ever been to Australia? | 你去过澳大利亚吗? |
That sounds better! Have you decided what to order? | 这听起来好多了!你决定要点什么了吗? |
Have you found it yet? | 你找到了吗? |
Have you been to Brighton before? | 你以前去过布莱顿吗? |
Yeah, kind of, the landlords have decided to sell the house. | 是的,有点,房东决定把房子卖掉。 |