The present perfect simple tense can be confusing because of how it is named. This tense describes actions or events in the past that with a present result, or actions that have happened one or more times before now.
Time expressions such as ‘since February’, ‘for two years’, ‘many times’, and ‘in the past six weeks’ are commonly used with this tense.
Life Experience or Accomplishments
Level: Intermediate
We use the present perfect simple when describe experiences that happened at some point in a person’s life. We want to emphasize the action, experience, or accomplishment rather than when it occurred. When we use the tense in this way, the person needs to be living. The adverbs ‘ever’ and ‘never’ are commonly used to express these actions.
I have traveled around the world.
In the above example, this person has traveled around the world at some point in the past. We are emphasizing the journey, not when it happened.
Here are more examples in context:
Bill and Joe have never seen Star Wars.
Skyler has eaten at that restaurant before.
Q. Have you ever ridden a horse?
A. Yes, I have!
Past Action with a Present Result
Level: Intermediate
We also use the present perfect simple when we are talking about a recent past action that has a result that is important in the present. American English speakers often use the past simple in this case.
Shane has cleaned his room. (result: Shane’s room is clean now.)
In the above example, Shane cleaned his room recently (past action). Now, his room looks great (present result)!
Here are more examples in context:
I’ve lost my ATM card! (result: I can’t use the ATM now.)
John has repaired my car. (result: I can drive my car now.)
Past Actions that are Unfinished in the Present
Level: Intermediate
The present perfect simple can show that an action started in the past and still continues in the present. We can use ‘since’ and ‘for’ to answer ‘how long’ questions.
They have lived in Hong Kong for five years.
They moved to Hong Kong five years ago. They still live in Hong Kong today.
Here are more examples in context:
We have worked at the post office since 2005.
I have had this cold for two days.
Q. How long have you been in New York?
A. I have been here since last Tuesday.
How do you use ‘since’ and ‘for’?
Use ‘for’ with a period of time.
I have stayed at this hotel for two days.
They have been married for 12 years.
Use ‘since’ with a point in time.
I have played basketball since 2005.
She has liked music since she was a child.
Other unfinished times
We can also express unfinished times using words like ‘today’, ‘this week’, or ‘this year’.
You have watched three movies today.
The teacher has given us two exams this week!
We have taken a lot of trips this year.
Recent News
Level: Intermediate
We often use the present perfect simple to talk about recent events in news articles or news programs.
The countries have reached an agreement.
Five factory workers have won the lottery.
The firefighters have saved several people.
Andrew was constantly talking in the middle of math class when we were in high school.
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