This document provides information about the present perfect tense, including its uses for past experiences still connected to the present, recent past actions with present consequences, and unfinished states that began in the past and continue now. It also discusses the uses of words like ever, never, just, already, yet, how long, for and since with the present perfect. The document compares the uses of the present perfect and past simple tenses, noting that the present perfect implies a connection to the present while the past simple is used for finished or completed past actions, often with a specific past time reference.

1. PRESENT PERFECT

2. USE THE PRESENT PERFECT
For past experiences: When there is a connection between the
past and the present. Example: I’ve been to London but I haven’t
been to Oxford.
For recent past actions: When the consequences are still
present. Example: I’ve cut my finger!
For unfinished states which start in the past and are still true
now. Example: The’ve known each other for 10 years.

3. ever / never when talking about past experiences. Example: I
have never cheated in an exam. / Have you ever...?
just/ already before the main verb in affirmative sentences.
Example: Ben has just finished university. / I have already done my
homework.
yet at the end of the sentence in negatives and interrogatives.
Example: Has she arrived yet? / He hasn’t finished yet.
How long...? to ask about an unfinished period of time (from
past until now). Example: How long have you known Mary?
For (desde hace) / Since (desde). Example: We’ve been married
for three years/ since 2010.

4. Present perfect or past simple?
Use present perfect when Use the past simple to talk
there is a connection about finished actions in
between the past and the the past. (normally a past
present.(with ever, never, time expression is used:
since, for, already, yet...) January, last week...)
Example: I’ve been to Example: I went to Madrid
Madrid twice (in my life up in 1998 and 2002 (on two
to now) specific occasions).

5. Can you see the difference?
How long have you been How long were you
married to Alan? married to Alan?
I’ve bought a new I bought a new computer
computer. on Saturday.
Have you ever lost your Yes, I lost my credit card
credit card? two years ago.

6. Solutions...
You are still married to You are not married to Alan
Alan now
Recent action and I don’t I say when. Completed,
say exactly when finished action
Experience in your life up Specific occasion
to now