Tenses · Intermediate (B1)
Present perfect
Connect the past to now: experiences, recent news, unfinished time and results — I’ve been to Japan, she’s just left.
The rules
Form: have / has + past participle: I’ve finished. She hasn’t called. Have you ever been to Peru? Irregular participles: been, seen, done, gone, eaten, written, taken.
Use: (1) life experiences with no time: I’ve visited 20 countries. Have you ever…? I’ve never… (2) recent actions with a present result: I’ve lost my keys (I can’t get in). (3) unfinished time periods: I’ve drunk three coffees today. (4) situations continuing to now with for / since: I’ve lived here for five years / since 2021.
Common words: just (a moment ago), already (sooner than expected), yet (in negatives/questions), ever, never, so far, recently.
Present perfect vs past simple: don’t use the present perfect with a finished time: I saw him yesterday** (not I’ve seen him yesterday). been vs gone: She’s been to Paris (and come back) / She’s gone to Paris (she’s there now).
| Present perfect | Past simple |
|---|---|
| I’ve been to Rome. (some time in my life) | I went to Rome in 2019. (finished time) |
| I’ve lived here since 2020. (still here) | I lived there for two years. (not now) |
Examples
- Have you ever eaten sushi?
- I’ve just finished my homework.
- She hasn’t replied yet.
- We’ve known each other since school.
Common mistakes
✗ I have seen him yesterday.
✓ I saw him yesterday.
Finished time → past simple.
✗ I live here since 2018.
✓ I’ve lived here since 2018.
Situation continuing to now → present perfect.
✗ Did you ever try it?
✓ Have you ever tried it?
Life experience with ever → present perfect.
Practice
I ___ my phone. Can you help me find it?
Quiz
1.I’ve never ___ a horse.
2.Where’s Ali? — He’s ___ to the shop. (he’s there now)
3.Complete the sentence.
4.“I have seen that film last week” is correct.