Present Perfect
B1The Present Perfect connects past actions to the present moment. It is used for experiences, unfinished time periods, and recent events with a present result.
Rule
Use the Present Perfect when the exact time of a past action is not important or when the action has a connection to now. Key time markers include: ever, never, already, yet, just, since, for, so far, recently.
Subject + have/has + past participle (V3)
Examples
ExperienceI have visited London three times.
NegativeShe hasn't finished her homework yet.
QuestionHave you ever tried Georgian wine?
Since/ForWe have lived in Tbilisi since 2018.
Just (recent event)He has just left the building.
Result in presentI've lost my keys — I can't get into the house.
Exam Tip
If the sentence contains 'yesterday', 'last week', 'in 2015', or any specific past time, you MUST use Past Simple. If it contains 'since', 'for', 'ever', 'never', 'already', 'yet', or 'just', use Present Perfect.
Common Errors
- !Using Past Simple instead of Present Perfect with 'since/for/yet/already': 'I lived here since 2020' instead of 'I have lived here since 2020'.
- !Forgetting the auxiliary 'have/has': 'She gone to school' instead of 'She has gone to school'.
- !Confusing 'been' and 'gone': 'He has been to the shop' (he went and came back) vs 'He has gone to the shop' (he is still there).
- !Using Present Perfect with a finished time marker: 'I have seen him yesterday' instead of 'I saw him yesterday'.
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