Present perfect simple

Resource centre - English grammar - Present perfect simple

Form

Affirmative
I have played
You have played
He/she/it has played
We have played
You have played (pl.)
They have played

Negative
I have not played
You have not played
He/she/it has not played
We have not played
You have not played
They have not played

Question
Have I played?
Have you played?
Has he/she/it played?
Have we played?
Have you played?
Have they played?

Functions and examples

We use the present perfect simple to show that a finished action or event has a connection with the present, or has a result in the present.
I can't go out because I've lost my keys.
She's had an accident and she's in the hospital now.
I've had lunch so I'm not hungry.

We use the present perfect simple to give news or talk about recent events.
She's had a baby girl.
There's been a big fire at the factory.
The value of the dollar has risen in recent weeks.

We can use 'just' in these cases to express a very recent action.
She's just had a baby.
I've just had lunch.

We use the present perfect simple to talk about a period of time from the past until now.
I've lived in Spain for 10 years.
She hasn't spoken to him since April last year.

If we don't use for or since, we don't know when the action or event happened, or it's not important when it happened.
Have you ever eaten frogs' legs? (at any time in your life until now)
I've never had a computer. (at any time in my life until now)
She has read all the Harry Potter books. (at some time in the past until now)
I've seen Shrek. (only the action is important, not when I did the action)
I saw Shrek last week.

We often talk about repeated actions or events from the past until now.
We've visited China many times.
I've been to France twice.
The phone has rung five times since lunchtime.

We can use 'already' to say something happened sooner than expected.
I've already seen Mission Impossible.

We can use 'yet' to say that we expect something to happen.
I haven't seen Mission Impossible yet.
Have you spoken to Dave yet?

We use the present perfect simple to talk about a period of time not finished at the time of speaking.
I have had three cups of coffee today. (today is not finished)
I had three cups of coffee yesterday.
Have you seen the news this week? (this week is not finished)
Did you see the news yesterday?
I've been on holiday twice this year (this year is not finished)
I went on holiday twice last year

Important points

Been and gone
They've gone to Greece for a holiday. (they are in Greece now)
They've been to Greece. (they went to Greece and they've come back)

See also: Present perfect continuous / Past simple

Share...

How do you teach present perfect simple?

 Optional
 Optional - we won't publish your email address


 

SpinnerPlease wait...



Arrow Top of page

Teaching Grammar Creatively with CD-ROM/Audio CD

Teaching Grammar Creatively with CD-ROM/Audio CD

A variety of lessons and activities for everyday use in English language classes.
Get it from Amazon UK | US
Korean Horizons - Teach in South KoreaOxford TEFL - Teach English worldwideThe Language House - TEFL Courses in PragueTEFL Paris - TESOL CertificateSea English Academy Sydney - Certificate IV in TESOL and Diploma in TESOLTEFL ScotlandThe International TEFL Corporation - Learn to teach EnglishEF Xian - English Teachers neededATI - TEFL Courses in IndiaWill-Excel – 4-week In-China classroom course + 6 months paid teachingThe Language House TEFLChase Resourcing - ESL Instructors in Saudi ArabiaATI - TEFL certificate course in ThailandIATEFL - Jobs MarketICTE - International Diploma in Language Teaching ManagementTEFL Lab London - Trinity Cert TESOL plus weekend and taster coursesVia Lingua - TEFL Courses in Mexico, Portugal, Greece, Hungary, Russia, Italy and TurkeyTEFL Worldwide Prague - TEFL CoursesEnglsh Language School of Australia - CELTA and Certificate IV in TESOLIH Milan - CELTATEFL Academy - Online TEFL courseInternational House Dubai - CELTA and Delta coursesApollo English - CELTA course in VietnamATI - TESOL Course in ThailandTEFL EnglandOntesol - Teaching the world to teachTEFL Toulouse - 4 week TEFL courses in FranceTEFL in Prague - Summer courses

Contact    |    Advertise    |    Terms of use    |    Disclaimer    |    Privacy    |    Site map    |    Testimonials    |    Links    |    TEFL blog    |    ESL exams
Copyright © 2012 Eslbase. All rights reserved.