Using the Present PerfectWe can distinguish three situations where the present perfect is used, although there is a lot of overlap (= coincidences, similarities) between these situations.

    

To describe 'To describe 'experiencesexperiences' '

    

To describe the To describe the durationduration of continuing states and actions of continuing states and actions

    

To describe a To describe a past action with a result in the presentpast action with a result in the present

They can be described as:

Escola Andorrana de Batxillerat English department. Grammar workshop.

If a time adverb is used with the present perfect, it describes a …

time period which is unfinished !!

Remember!!

I've seen your brother 3 times today.

(I saw your sister last week) = simple past

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now.

To describe 'experiences' Experiences in the sense that we are interested in what happened, and not exactly when it happened.

In this situation we use the present perfect to describe an action that can still happen, or can happen again.

For example: The teacher hasn't arrived yet. (She might still arrive.) I've spent 20 euros today. (I can still spend money.)

Contrast the above sentences with: The teacher didn't arrive (The class is over, he can't arrive now) I've spent 20 euros this morning.('this morning' is over, I can't spend any more money 'this morning')

To describe the duration of continuing states and actions

We use the present perfect simple to describe the duration ('How long...') of a state which is true (it exists) now.

For example, compare: I've lived in London for eight years. (I live in London now.) I lived in London for two years. (We don't know where I live now.)

For example, compare:I have studied at the Andorran school since 1994. (I still study, I am a student)

I studied at the Andorran school. (I finished school)

To describe a past action with a result in the present

We can use the present perfect to describe an action in the past which has a result in the present.

She's broken her glasses. (She can't see...) They've been painting the flat. (They're covered in paint...)

Its formula?Its formula?

FORMULA for making theFORMULA for making the Present PerfectPresent Perfect

subjectsubject + + [HAS / HAVE][HAS / HAVE] + [ + [past participle past participle (3rd column)](3rd column)]

EXAMPLES:EXAMPLES: I I have seenhave seen that film many times. that film many times.

I I havehave nevernever seenseen that film. that film.

NOTE:NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Perfect (have seen), part such as Present Perfect (have seen), adverbsadverbs usually usually come between the first part and the second part come between the first part and the second part (have (have nevernever seen).seen).