Present
Perfect Uses
Finished
actions:
1.
Indefinite past
a)
Exact time is unknown or unimportant, emphasis on achievement (how many things
you did, how many times you did it); time period is unfinished:
I’ve
taught at many universities.
I’ve
written three letters today.
I’ve
been to many interesting cities.
b)
With just, recently, and lately to indicate something happened in the very
recent past:
We’ve
recently realized that we need to make some changes.
He’s
just returned from his trip.
I
haven’t had time to do anything fun lately.
c)
With ever to ask if something has happened at any time before now:
Have
you ever seen a cow fly?
Have
you ever met my mother?
2.
Present perfect + since
Some
completed action happened between a point in the past and now:
Now
Jon
has written 2 books since he graduated from college.
3.
Present perfect + already and yet
Something
happened before now:
Have
you seen that movie yet?
Yes,
I’ve already seen it.
Now
I’ve
already seen the movie.
Jon
graduated from college. Jon wrote a book. Jon wrote another book.
Unfinished
actions:
1.
Present perfect + for
or since
The
action began in past and continues up to present (use with non-action verbs in
place of present perfect
progressive)
Joe
has had the dog since 1995.
Joe
has been a student since 1995.
Simple
Past Use:
Finished actions in finished time periods:
I
lived in Paris for two years.
I
graduated from high school.
I
visited many interesting cities when I was a child.
John graduated from college in
1999.
