Presente Perfecto Simple

How do we form the present perfect?

With the primary auxiliary have/has + past participle of the main verb.

Affirmative Statements:

I´ve never heard that before.

He´s finished everything.

Negative Statements: (have/has + not)

We haven´t decided on the place of the ceremony.

She hasn´t typed it yet.

Interrogative form:

Have you ever been to Perito Moreno?

The PRESENT PERFECT relates the past and the present. This is done in various ways:

a) It is used to refer to an activity or state which begins in the past, and continues up to the moment of speaking. The activity has not finished yet. The time of the action is past and present. The adverbial phrases/clauses are OBLIGATORY because their omission changes the meaning.

Jane has lived in Scotland

• Since 1980.

• Since she got married.

• For five years.

• So far.

• Up to now.

• Until now.

• Up to the present.

• For ten years now.

• For the past few years.

• Ever since she was a child.

b) It is used to express a habit or repeated event (usually shown by adverbs of frequency) in a period of time leading up to the present.

Jane has usually had lunch at the hospital so far.

She has often worked at night until now.

I have always been very religious.

Sheila has never loved the hotel business.

c) It is used to express an action that began and finished in the past (before the moment of speaking). The time, is not specified at all. This is so, because we are interested on the results of the action and not in the time when the action took place.

I’ve finished my work. (Now I can sit and rest).

Sue has lost her key. (Now she can´t open the door).

I´ve left my wallet behind. (Now I can´t pay the bill).

d) Is used to indicate an activity completed in the immediate, recent- past time. The action took place a short time ago. The adverbials just, lately and recently emphasize recency.

I have just had lunch.

I have recently had lunch.

Have you been to the cinema lately?

e) Is used to refer to an action that happened (or never happened) before now, at an indefinite, specified time in the past. The exact time when the action happened is not important.

Have you ever been to America?

Ever= at any time up to now; at any time between “before now and now”; at any time during your life so far.

I have never phoned my father.

Never= at no time up to now; at no time during my life so far.

Have you had breakfast already?

Have you already have breakfast?

Already= in questions to

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