PRESENT PERFECT AND PAST
SIMPLE (grammar books units 714)
Form: have/has + past participle
PAST EXPERIENCE – EVER/NEVER
To talk about an experience in your life
with no time mentioned
Usually use “ever” “never”:
Have you ever been to Oxford?
No, never.
I’ve never been to Oxford.
RECENT PAST ACTIONS
 We also use the present perfect to talk about
actions done recently
 In this context, just, already, yet are used.
Just and already go before the main verb in
positive sentences, yet goes at the end of the
phrase in negative sentences and questions.
I’ve already done my tasks.
Have you finished yet?
My brother hasn’t found a new job yet.
I’ve just cut my finger.
UNFINISHED STATES WHICH START IN
THE PAST AND ARE STILL TRUE NOW
 To describe an action which starts in the past
and continues to now
 Typically we use for and since.
 For + a period of time (for two weeks)
 Since with a point of time (since 1990)
 How long..? Is used to ask about an unfinished
period of time
 They’ve known each other for 10 years.
How long have they been married?
For 10 years.
PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST
SIMPLE?
Use the present perfect when there is a
connection between the past and the
present:
I’ve been to Madrid twice. (in my life up to
now)
How long have you been married to Alan?
(you are married to Alan now)
I’ve just bought a new computer. (I don’t
say exactly when).
PRESENT PERFECT OR PAST
SIMPLE?
Use the past simple to ask or talk about
finished actions in the past, when the
time is mentioned or understood. We often
use a past time expression.
I went there in 1998 and 2002. (on two
specific occasions)
How long were you married to Jake? (you
are not married to Jake now).
I bought it on Saturday. (I say when).
Present Perfect Continuous
Have/has been + verb + ing
Use 1: the same duration form use as the
present perfect simple with for and since,
but places more emphasis on the
continuity of the action. So especially
used with action verbs like learn, go,
study, work…
How long have you been learning English?
He’s been working here since April.
Present Perfect Continous
Note, it is not used with state verbs such
as know, be , have…
I’ve known her for 5 years.
NOT: I’ve been knowing her for 5 years.
Present Perfect Continous
USE 2:
For actions which have been going on
very recently and have just stopped.
Usually we can see the result of that
action:
Your eyes are red. Have you been
crying?
No, I’ve been cutting onions.