Present Perfect

Present Perfect (positive, negative, questions)

+	We have been to Paris twice.	She has lost her keys.
-	We haven’t been to Paris.	She hasn’t lost her keys.
yes/no?	Have you ever been to Paris?	Has she lost her keys?
wh?	Where have you been twice?	What has she lost?

1.1 Use Present Perfect to talk about experiences at any time up to now. It often includes «ever» or «never». 

Examples

I have visited France.

She has never tries sushi.

1.2 Use Present Perfect to talk about actions that have an effect on the present or are still relevant now.

Examples

I have visited France.

She has never tried sushi. 

1.3 Use Present Perfect for actions and events in the recent past that have a result in the present. Use «just» to show that this event is very recent.

Examples

I’ve just seen a beautiful rainbow outside.

They’ve just left the house.

1.4 Use Present Perfect with superlative adjectives to talk about the highest, lowest, or best experiences someone has had up to the present.

Examples

This is the best meal I have ever had.

It’s the coldest winter we have experienced in years.

1.5 Use «been to» to talk about places someone has visited in the past. Use «gone to» when someone is still at that location or hasn’t returned yet.

Examples

I have been to Japan twice. (visited Japan in the past)

She has gone to the store. (she is currently at the store or on her way)

1.6 Use the Present Perfect for situations that started in the past and continue to the present with «since» and «for». Use «since» + a point of time (since 2020), and «for» + a period of time (for 3 months).

Examples

I have lived in this city for 5 years.

They have known each other for a long time.

She has worked here since 2020.

1.7 Use the Past Simple to talk about completed past actions (especially with the specific time reference). Use the Present Perfect to connect the past and the present or to talk about experiences that happened at an unspecified time in the past or recently.

Examples

I visited Paris last month. (specified time in the past)

I have visited Paris many times. (unspecified time, general experience)

I ate lunch at noon. (specified time)

She has eaten lunch already. (recent, result affects the present)