Bridges
Across
Time:
Mastering
the
Present
Perfect
Language
allows
us
not
only
to
describe
what
has
happened,
but
also
to
connect
that
past
to
our
present
experience.
This
is
the
purpose
of
the
Present
Perfect
Simple
tense
in
English.
While
many
learners
struggle
with
when
and
how
to
use
this
tense,
understanding
its
logic
,
structure
,
and
functions
can
make
its
usage
both
intuitive
and
powerful.
The
Present
Perfect
Simple
is
used
not
to
locate
events
in
time
,
but
to
emphasize
their
relevance
to
the
present
moment
.
1.
Definition
The
Present
Perfect
Simple
is
a
verb
tense
used
to
express:
●
Actions
or
events
that
happened
at
an
unspecified
time
in
the
past,
but
are
still
relevant
now.
●
Life
experiences.
●
Past
actions
with
present
results
.
●
Repeated
actions
up
to
now
.
2.
Structure
Formula:
[Subject]
+
have/has
+
past
participle
Subject
Auxiliar
y
Past
Participle
Example
I/You/We/Th
ey
have
seen,
eaten,
gone,
worked
He/She/It
has
done,
been,
arrived
Examples:
●
I
have
finished
my
homework.
●
She
has
visited
Paris.
●
They
have
never
tried
sushi.
●
We
have
lived
here
for
ten
years.
3.
When
to
Use
the
Present
Perfect
Simple
A.
Unspecified
Time
Before
Now
Use
the
present
perfect
when
the
exact
time
is
not
important
or
not
mentioned.
Examples:
●
Have
you
ever
climbed
a
mountain?
●
I
have
read
that
book.
●
She
has
lost
her
keys.
(We
don’t
know
when
—
but
it
matters
now.)
B.
Life
Experience
Use
it
to
talk
about
experiences
someone
has
had
in
their
life
until
now
.
Examples:
●
He
has
never
flown
in
a
plane.
●
I
have
visited
Rome
twice.
●
We
have
eaten
at
that
restaurant
before.
C.
Past
Action
with
Present
Result
The
result
of
the
action
is
visible
or
relevant
now
.
Examples:
●
I
have
broken
my
leg.
(It
is
still
broken.)
●
She
has
just
finished
her
project.
(Now
it’s
ready.)
●
They
have
painted
the
walls.
(We
can
see
the
fresh
paint.)
D.
Repeated
Actions
Until
Now
Examples:
●
We
have
met
several
times
this
year.
●
He
has
called
her
three
times
today.
●
I
have
watched
that
movie
many
times.
4.
Time
Expressions
Commonly
Used
Expression
Use
ever,
never
Life
experience
already
Emphasis
on
early
or
expected
result
just
Very
recent
action
yet
In
negative
and
interrogative
forms
so
far,
up
to
now
Actions
continuing
to
the
present
for,
since
With
actions
that
started
in
the
past
and
continue
now
Examples:
●
Have
you
ever
seen
snow?
●
I
have
never
been
to
Japan.
●
She
has
already
eaten.
●
I
have
just
arrived.
●
They
haven’t
called
me
yet
.
●
We
have
lived
here
since
2015
.
●
He
has
worked
at
the
company
for
ten
years
.
Present
Perfect
vs.
Past
Simple
Present
Perfect
Past
Simple
Unspecified
time
Specific
time
Still
relevant
now
Completed
and
over
Experience
or
result
now
Historical
fact
“I
have
lost
my
keys.”
(I
can’t
find
them.)
“I
lost
my
keys
yesterday.”
(I
found
them
later.)
Practice
Exercises
A.
Fill
in
the
blanks
with
the
correct
form
of
the
verb
in
Present
Perfect
Simple:
1.
I
__________
(read)
that
book
three
times.
2.
She
__________
(never
/
try)
Indian
food.
3.
They
__________
(live)
here
since
2012.
4.
We
__________
(just
/
arrive).
5.
He
__________
(not
/
finish)
his
work
yet.
B.
Choose
the
correct
option:
1.
Have
you
ever
___
to
New
York?
a)
go
b)
went
c)
gone
d)
been
2.
I
have
known
her
___
many
years.
a)
since
b)
for
c)
by
d)
during
3.
He
___
already
left
when
I
arrived.
a)
has
b)
have
c)
is
d)
did
Answer
Key
A.
1.
have
read
2.
has
never
tried
3.
have
lived
4.
have
just
arrived
5.
has
not
finished
B.
1.
d)
been
2.
b)
for
3.
a)
has
Contactanos
Español
Sin
Fronteras
Gmail
espanolsinfronteras1@gmail.com
Español
Sin
Fronteras
-
Recursos
Educativos
Gratuitos
Instagram
@espanol_sin_fronteras_org