3. Form of Present Perfect
Positive Negative Question
I / you / we / they I have spoken. I have not spoken. Have I spoken?
he / she / it He has spoken. He has not
spoken.
Has he spoken?
4. We use the present perfect to talk about:
the past events, not saying exactly
when things happened.
My friend has broken his arm.
recent past actions (often with just)
Look! I've cut my finger!
to give news
A parcel has arrived for you.
with yet and already.
I've already seen this film twice.
5. We often use yet, just and already with
the present perfect.
Use yet in [-] and [?] sentences at
the end of the sentence.
Use already in [+] sentences before
the main verb
Use just before the main verb.Have
you done your homework yet?
I’ve already done it!
Our train has just left!
6. simple past
for action that
happened in the
past and is:
over, done,
finished!
Sara lived in Boston
for 5 years. Now
she lives in New
York.
present perfect
for action that
started in the
past, but . . .
is still true
today.
Sara has lived in
Boston for 5 years.
She lives there
now.
7. past simple
with time words like:
• yesterday
• last Saturday,
week, month, year,
etc.
• ___ ago
• when I was…
• in 1990 (past date)
present
perfect
time words like:
• recently/lately
• Just, already, yet
• since …
• so far
• this week, month,
year, etc.
• this is the first
time
• ever, never
9. PRESENT PERFECT PAST
SIMPLE
1. We normally start with a general
question in present perfect.
2. Then we change to past simple for
more specific details (when,
what, where, why…)
10. PRESENT PERFECT
OR
PAST SIMPLE?
A. Have you been to China?
B. Yes, I have
A. When did you go?
B. I went last summer.
A. Who did you go with?
B. I went with my son
A. Where did you stay?
B. I stayed in a basic hotel.
11. Match a sentence on the left with an
explanation on the right.
SENTENCE
1) They've bought a
new flat.
2) We've had it for a
year.
EXPLANATION
a. We bought it a
year ago and we
still have it.
b. They bought it
recently. This is
news.
12. Match a sentence on the left with an
explanation on the right.
SENTENCE
1) I went to
Australia last
summer.
2) I've been to
Australia.
EXPLANATION
a) This happened at
some time in my
life
b) This happened at
a specific time in
the past.
13. Match a sentence on the left with an
explanation on the right.
SENTENCE
1) I've known him
since I was at
school.
2) I knew him
when I was at
school.
EXPLANATION
a) I met him when I
was at school and
we are still in
touch.
b) This happened at
some time in my
life
14. Practice!
Choose the past simple or present perfect and talk about
why each is necessary.
1. When I was a child, I ________ (swim) a lot.
2. So far this week, we ________ (study) a lot.
3. Theo __________ (be) very sick recently.
4. I _________ (have) a terrible headache
yesterday.
5. It ________ (rain) a lot lately.
6. They _______ (get) married ten years ago.
7. I ________ (be) to Balboa Park many times.
8. My family ________ (take) a vacation last
year.
![Present Perfect
[+] have/has + V3 (ed)
[- ] haven’t/hasn’t + V3 (ed)
[? ] Have/Has + V3 (ed)](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)