Present Perfect Simple

FORM

Positive: Subject + have/has + verb 3
Negative: Subject + have/has + not + verb 3
Question: Have/Has + subject + verb 3 ?


USAGE

Present perfect simple is used to show/talk about:

A) an action that happened at an indefinite time in the past; for examples,

 •  I have met him before.
 •  They have taken the exam.
 •  She has finished her homework.

Note: When we know the time that the action happened, we use past simple – not present perfect simple; for examples,

 •  She bought a new bike last week. (Correct)
 •  She has bought a new bike last week. (Incorrect)

B) a past action which has continued until now, i.e. something that started in the past have continued up to now; for examples,

 •  We have known each other since we were in high school.
 •  They have lived here for five years.
 •  She has worked on the computer since six this morning.

C) past action with present result, i.e. something that happened in the past and you can see the result now; for examples,

 •  He has washed his car. (= It is clean.)
 •  They have spent all of their money. (= They are broke.)
 •  John has painted his house. (= It looks nice.)

D) a life experience, i.e. something that we have done or have never done in the past); for examples,

 •  We have never been to any place together before.
 •  It’s the most beautiful village I have ever been to.
 •  I have never driven a Mercedes.