IELTS Tips
Present Perfect Simple
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The principal uses of the present perfect are listed below.
- To refer to a time period which is not yet finished (e.g. today, this month):
We’ve bought a new house this week. (an incomplete period)
- To show that something happened in the past. We don’t state when is happened:
I’ve lost my watch. Have you seen it anywhere?
Note: If we give the time we must use the simple past:
I lost my watch yesterday. (notI’ve lost my watch yesterday)
The following time expressions are often used: ever, never, always, up to now, so far.
This is the worst storm we’ve ever had. (at any point before now) - To talk about a situation which started in the past and usually continues after the time of speaking in the present:
He has lived here for six years. (He has lived here till now)
We use for with a lenght of time (e.g. for three weeks, for two days, for six years) and since with a point in time (e.g. since 2010, since Wednesday, since nine o’clock, since I was five, since I moved here) - To talk about an action which occured at an unstated time in the past, provided that there is still a connection with the present:
I’ve collected all the documents that are needed for the house sale. (I have the documents now)
Note: If we give the time we must use the simple past:
I lost my watch yesterday. (notI’ve lost my watch yesterday)
The following time expressions are often used: recently, just, already, and yet with negatives or questions. - I’ve just arrived.
- Have you done your homework yet?
Compare the use of the present perfect with the past simple:
| Present perfect | Past simple |
| links the past with the present: John has won several awards. (at some point before now and he may win more awards) | only talks about the past: John won several awards in 2012. |
| does not talk about a specific time in the past: Have you read the latest issue of the Magazine? (at some time before now) | states a specific past time, or the time is understood: I read the latest issue of the Magazine when I was at home. (I’m not at home now and the reading is finished) |
| uses time expressions that show the time period is unfinished: I haven’t seen John this morning. (up to 12 noon, the morning isn’t finished) | uses time expressions that show the time is finished: I didn’t see John this morning. (after 12 noon, last morning has finished) |
Note the position of the following time expressions that occur with the present perfect:
- between the auxiliary and main verb (e.g. recently, already, always, ever, just, never):
I’ve already bought my ticket.
I’ve never met your brother.
Ever is generally used with questions or negatives:
Have you ever been to London? - after the main verb (e.g. all my life, every day, yet, before, for ages, for two weeks, since 2001, since I was ten etc.)
I haven’t seen him for ages.
I’ve known John since I was ten.
if there is an object clause, the time expression comes at the end:
I’ve read this book every morning since then.
He hasn’t ridden since he broke his arm.