Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Tense can be used in three situations:

1. To indicate something that has happened at an indefinite time in the past.

I have seen that movie already.

She has left for California.

They have not eaten their dinner yet.

2. To indicate something which started in the
past and continues until now.

I have lived in New York for nine years.

We have been here since Friday.

He has played football since he was a child.

3. To indicate something which occurred recently.

I have been sick lately.

She hasn’t slept much recently.

Notes:

When speaking about a specific time, use past tense.

A: I have seen that movie already. (Non-specific time)
B: Oh really? When did you see it?  
A: I saw it last week with Bob. (Specific time)

Some words should not be used in situation 2 (above)

I have met John for five years. (INCORRECT)
I have known John for five years. (CORRECT)
I met John five years ago. (CORRECT)
I have met John already. (CORRECT)

Sometimes, but not always, present perfect continuous can be used instead of present perfect.

I have lived there for ten years. (Okay)
I have been living there for ten years. (Okay)
I have exercised a lot recently. (Okay)
I have been exercising a lot recently. (Okay)
I have seen that movie ten times. (Okay)
I have been seeing that movie ten times. (NOT Okay)

 

Audio - Click to Play
Get the Flash Player to see this player.

 

Grammar Exercises

More Grammar Topics

Statistics

We have 28 guests online
 News: 449
 Visitors: 1305578
Comments (16)Add Comment
Thanks for you site!
written by Mario, February 07, 2008
Hi there,
I'm Mario Sampilo from Philippines. I just want to let you know that I really appreciate you website. It's excellent indeed. Lessons are brief but clearly discussed, specially the grammar. It would be of great help for me. Keep it up guys!
...
written by safa, February 19, 2008
write less commons
question
written by karim, March 18, 2008
thank you very much about this fantastic site but i want to ask about the difference between past simple and present perfect for example when i say [i went to club] and [i have gone to the club[
...
written by Hatem, April 11, 2008
I must thanks you for this fantastic site in the word
smilies/grin.gif
prenset perfect
written by achoura, April 18, 2008
smilies/wink.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif thank you very much for this information it'll bee more interesting if you put some exsercises
thanks .
written by arne garcia, October 12, 2008
very usefull this web site.
smilies/cheesy.gif
...
written by Sanow, October 15, 2008
I will be thanking you for your site it is most un stupifying smilies/grin.gif smilies/cheesy.gif smilies/smiley.gif smilies/cool.gif
...
written by mynar, October 23, 2008
hi i am very enjoy this site.helpful for me .god bless.
thanks
written by sihem, October 27, 2008
I'm very satified about this web site thanks a lot.
very interested
written by samra, October 27, 2008
i have always confused beteween present perfect and the simple past.
thanks for this explication
thank you
written by khadija, November 04, 2008
smilies/grin.gif really i want to thank you for this web sit it's help me a lot more than my teacher
`
written by sharon, November 20, 2008
Haii smilies/wink.gif
WTF is dit nou weer dan ??
Maarja kom hier via een schoolsite dus ik ga maar weer eens.
Doei smilies/kiss.gif
ok
written by maurice bernardo, November 29, 2008
smilies/cool.gifok,,,,,, cr ahh hek hek
cge poh napadaan lang,,,,,
...
written by xhyla, January 10, 2009
I love this website!!!!! thaks... smilies/grin.gif smilies/grin.gif smilies/grin.gif
good site
written by Emad Bahig Souryal, January 21, 2009
I want to thank you for this excellent site
Thanks for your site!
written by Rakhvinder Singh, January 23, 2009
Hi, It is a very good site for learning English.

Write comment
quote
bold
italicize
underline
strike
url
image
quote
quote
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley
Smiley

security code
Write the displayed characters


busy
 
< Prev   Next >