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 | |
---|---|
By the way, don't think I've forgotten our beer deal. | 顺便说一下,不要以为我忘记了我们的啤酒约定。 |
Oh yes, I think I have seen them before. | 是的,我之前见过这种电子时刻表。 |
I'm not sure yet, we haven't had any time to talk about it. | 我还不确定,我们还没有时间讨论这事儿。 |
Hi Rocco, we want some chardonnay, but it seems you've run out. | 嗨,洛克,我们想要霞多丽,但是好像你们已经卖完了。 |
Where is the lucky girl, has she left already? | 那个幸运女孩在哪里,她已经走了吗? |
I haven't asked him. | 我没有问过他。 |
Oh, Mike! Is that you? It's been a very long time, where have you been? | 哦,迈克!是你吗?好久不见了,你现在在哪里? |
Thank you, have you seen my bag? | 谢谢你,你看到我的包了吗? |
Anyway, have you finished checking the menu? | 不说了,你看完菜单了吗? |
Yes, it's been exactly 3 years! | 是的,完全正确,就是3年! |
Telling me her sister has decided to come to London. | 告诉我她的妹妹决定要来伦敦。 |
Have you had time to look for houses on the internet? | 你有时间在网上找房子吗? |
Have you made a decision, dear? | 你做好决定了吗,亲爱的? |
Let me see... Yes, it's already gone! | 让我看下... 是的,那个已经被租了! |
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。 |
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? |
I've just brought him in for his injection. | 我刚刚带他打了针。 |
Have you found it yet? | 你找到了吗? |
What about you? We haven't talked about you! | 你呢?我们都没有说说你! |
Has he broken his leg? | 他是不是伤到腿了? |