Present Perfect Simple
Use of the Present Perfect:
We use the Present perfect to describe an action or state that started in the past and continues to the present, when the action happened precisely in the past is not important and is not specified. This form is used a lot in questions about life experiences, when asking a third party.
Note Important! if the time it is specified: last year, two months ago, yesterday etc, you must use the Past Simple)
an action in the past the past (not defined) with a consequence in the present
I have cooked dinner.
recently completed actions
He has just finished his homework.
a state that began in the past and continues to present
He has lived in Rome since 1990.
an action that starts in the past and continues to the present
I haven’t seen Mary for a long time.
When asking another person about life experiences
Have you ever eaten Japanese food?
Key words
- Since
- For
- Recently
- Never
- Just
- Yet
- Already
- Ever
- So far
Form
auxiliary verb have/has + past participle
Affirmative form
| Long forms | Contracted forms |
|---|---|
| I have lived in Rome for many years. | I‘ve lived in rome for many years. |
| You have lived in Rome for many years. | You‘ve lived in Rome for many Years. |
| He has lived in Rome for many years. | He‘s lived in Rome for many years. |
Negative form
| Long forms | Contracted forms |
|---|---|
| I have not played rugby recently. | I‘ve not played rugby recently. |
| I haven’t played rugby recently. | |
| You have not played rugby recently. | You‘ve not played rugby recently. |
| You haven’t played rugby recently. | |
| He has not played rugby since Monday. | He‘s not played rugby since Monday. |
| He hasn’t played rugby since Monday. |
Interrogative form
| Long forms | Contracted forms |
|---|---|
| Have I ever been to Madrid? | There are no contracted forms |
| Have you ever eaten Japanese food? | |
| Has he ever eaten Japanese food? |