Functions

Completed actions in the past

but not important when we did it

1. We use the present perfect tense to talk

about experiences

Form

I have been to France twice.

Ruby has never broken a leg.

Have you ever eaten sushi?

ExamplesI have been to France twice.

Ruby has never broken a leg.

Have you ever eaten sushi?

We often use never and ever with the

present perfect tense to talk about

experience.

Have been

have have beenHave eaten

have have hadHave lost

haven’t have lostHas called

hasn’t have done

2. To talk about a past action that affect

the present

Function 2

 ”I have lost my wallet!” (I need it but don't have it now.)

“Eric has gone to Mexico.” (He isn't here now.)

We often use just, already and yet.

 ”Have you done your homework yet?”

Function 33. To talk about an action which started

in the past and continues up to now

We often use since and for to say

how long the action has lasted.

a point of time in the past (“for”)

a period of time in the past (“since”)

I have been a teacher for more than ten years.

We haven’t seen Louis since Friday.

How long have you been studying at Apollo?

Form

Simple Past vs. Present

PerfectWhen do we use

each tense in English?

Use the sim-ple past for action that happened in the past and is:

over, done, finished!

Use the present per-fect for ac-tion that started in the past (when?), or . . .is still true today.

Compare the meaning of these two sentences:

1. Sara lived in Boston for 5 years.

2. Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.

Simple past

*For finished actions, no connection with the present

NowPast

xNo

connection

I knew Julia for ten years (but then shemoved away and we lost touch).

Examples:

A traffic accident happened last night.It was Valentine’s Day yesterday.WW1 happened in 1914.The exam started at 10:00. (Now it is 14:00.)A kid was kidnapped one week ago.In 1990? I was at university then.When I arrived, there was blood everywhere.

Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.

Meaning: by using the present perfect tense, we mean that Sara began living in Boston 5 years ago . . .

AND . . . she still lives there.

Remember, present perfect:connects the past with the

present.

Present Perfect Tense

*For a finished action has someconnection with the present

xThere is a connection NowPast

I've known Julie for ten years (and I stillknow her).

Examples:Have you seen Mr. Jones today? (He is still not here.)I’ve been out three evenings this week.Have you ever seen a fox? No, I’ve never seen a fox.Have you read it before?Has it stopped raining yet? (usually in negatives &questions)I’ve already mailed the letter.I’ve seen many movies recently.I’ve been working here for ten months.I’ve been working here since September.

Have seen

haven’t have wanted

Did dodid went

Have eatenhave went

have triedhave not tried

went/has beendid do

went