2.1 overview of the present perfect

1. 2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE
PRESENT PERFECT
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2. A. WHEN WE WANT TO SHOW THAT A PAST EVENT OR
STATE IS CONNECTED WITH NOW, THE MOMENT OF
SPEAKING, WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT FORM OF
THE VERB.
Something started in the past and continues in the present, for
example:
Example Explanation
Life expectancy has increased
since 1900. It is not
uncommon for people to live
into their eighties now.
Life expectancy began to
increase in 1900, and it is still
increasing now.
Technology has helped people
in many ways, but too much
technology isn’t healthy.
Technology helped people in
the past, and still helps people
now.

3. A. WHEN WE WANT TO SHOW THAT A PAST EVENT OR
STATE IS CONNECTED WITH NOW, THE MOMENT OF
SPEAKING, WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT FORM OF
THE VERB.
Something that happened repeatedly in the past and has an
effect on something in the present, for example:
Example Explanation
I’ve watched that movie too
many times. I think I know it by
heart.
As a result of watching that
movie many times in the past, I
know know it by heart (= I
have memorized it).
Many roads here have become
crowded, and this causes
frequent traffic jams.
We now have frequent traffic
jams because of roads
becoming more crowded in the
past.

4. A. WHEN WE WANT TO SHOW THAT A PAST EVENT OR
STATE IS CONNECTED WITH NOW, THE MOMENT OF
SPEAKING, WE USE THE PRESENT PERFECT FORM OF
THE VERB.
Something that started and ended in the past but has an effect
on something in the present, for example:
Example Explanation
A: I need to talk to Barbara for
a minute. Is she here?
B: No, she’s gone to the
library.
She went to the library, so she
isn’t here now.
A: Are you hungry?
B: No, I’ve already eaten.
I ate in the past, so I am not
hungry now.

5. B. WE OFTEN USE ADVERBS AND TIME
EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
ALREADY, JUST, NEVER, YET,
ALWAYS, LATELY, SO FAR

6. B. WE OFTEN USE ADVERBS AND TIME
EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:Adverb Example
already A: Is Joe still here?
B: No, he’s already gone
home.
just I’ve just finished my
paper.
ever/never A: Have you ever been to
China?
B: No, I’ve never been to
China, but I’ve been to
Vietnam.

7. B. WE OFTEN USE ADVERBS AND TIME
EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
Adverb Example
always You’ve always been
unhappy about your job. I
think it’s time to do
something about it.
lately I’ve had a lot of trouble
sleeping lately.
so far A: How’s the movie?
B: It’s been great so far.

8. B. WE OFTEN USE ADVERBS AND TIME
EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
Time Expression Example
in + the past few days/the
last few minutes
We’ve spoken several
times in the past month,
and I think it’s time to
make a decision.
over + the past month/the
last two years
We’ve spoken several
times over the past month,
and I think it’s time to
make a decision.

9. B. WE OFTEN USE ADVERBS AND TIME
EXPRESSIONS WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT. SOME EXAMPLES INCLUDE:
Time Expression Example
for + a period of time I’ve been in the U.S. for
five years.
I haven’t worked for two
months. I really need to
find a job soon.
since + a specific time in
the past
I’ve been in the U.S. since
2012. I haven’t worked
since the beginning of
December. I really need to
find a job soon.