Grammar: Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Simple

Forms

Principal uses

• ·         To refer to a time period which is not yet finished (e.g. today, this month):

          We've bought a new house this week. (an incomplete period)

• ·         To show that something happened in the past. We don't state when is happened:

          I've lost my watch. Have you seen it anywhere?
          Note: If we give the time we must use the simple past:
          I lost my watch yesterday. (not I've lost my watch yesterday)
         The following time expressions are often used: ever, never, always, up to now, so far.
         This is the worst storm we've ever had. (at any point before now)

• ·         To talk about a situation which started in the past and usually continues after the time of speaking in the present:

He has lived here for six years. (He has lived here till now)

We use for with a length of time (e.g. for three weeks, for two days, for six years) and since with a point in time (e.g. since 2010, since Wednesday, since nine o'clock, since I was five, since I moved here)

• ·         To talk about an action which occurred at an unstated time in the past, provided that there is still a connection with the present:

          I’ve collected all the documents that are needed for the house sale. (I have the documents now)

     Note: If we give the time we must use the simple past:
     I lost my watch yesterday. (not I've lost my watch yesterday)

Commonly used expressions

• ·         recently, just, already, and yet with negatives or questions.

               I've just arrived.
               Have you done your homework yet?

Note the position of the following time expressions that occur with the present perfect:

• ·         between the auxiliary and main verb (e.g. recently, already, always, ever, just, never):

               I've already bought my ticket.               I’ve never met your brother.

• ·         Ever is generally used with questions or negatives:

               Have you ever been to London?

• ·         After the main verb (e.g. all my life, every day, yet, before, for ages, for two weeks, since 2001, since I was ten etc.)

               I haven't seen him for ages.               I’ve known John since I was ten.

• ·                 If there is an object clause, the time expression comes at the end:

               I've read this book every morning since then.               He hasn't ridden since he broke his arm.

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