The Present Perfect links the past with the present. It tells us that something happened at an unspecified time, or that a situation that began in the past is still true now. There is no exact past time in the sentence.
How to form the Present Perfect
| Type | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | subject + have/has + past participle | I have finished. · She has finished. |
| Negative | subject + have/has + not + past participle | We haven't seen it. · He hasn't called. |
| Question | Have/Has + subject + past participle? | Have you ever been to London? |
When to use the Present Perfect
- Life experience: I have been to Spain three times.
- A past action with a result now: I have lost my keys (so I can't get in).
- A situation that continues up to now (with for/since): She has lived here since 2019.
- Recent news: The prime minister has resigned.
Signal words
These words often show that the Present Perfect is needed: ever, never, already, yet, just, still, so far, recently, lately, for, since, today, this week.
Examples
- I have already eaten.
- Have you ever tried sushi?
- She hasn't arrived yet.
- We have known each other for ten years.
- They have just left.
- He has lived in Warsaw since 2020.
Common mistakes
- Adding a finished time: I have seen him yesterday → I saw him yesterday (Past Simple).
- Using the Present Simple with for/since: I live here since 2019 → I have lived here since 2019.
- Been or gone? He has been to Rome = he visited and came back; He has gone to Rome = he is there now.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between for and since?
Use for with a length of time (for three years) and since with a starting point (since 2021, since Monday).
Present Perfect or Past Simple?
If you say or ask when it happened (yesterday, in 2010, last week), use Past Simple. If the time is not important or not mentioned, use Present Perfect.