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Present Perfect

Present Perfect

Date: Oct 03 2007

Topic: Grammar

Author: rhyme_reason

Lesson

(Please note that British and American English have different rules for the use of this tense. The explanation here refer to British English. In American English, it is often acceptable to use the past simple in some of these examples.)
We use the present perfect when we want to look back from the present to the past.
We can use it to look back on the recent past.

  • I've broken my watch so I don't know what time it is.
  • They have cancelled the meeting.
  • She's taken my copy. I don't have one.
  • The sales team has doubled its turnover.

When we look back on the recent past, we often use the words 'just' 'already' or the word 'yet' (in negatives and questions only).

  • We've already talked about that.
  • She hasn't arrived yet.
  • I've just done it.
  • They've already met.
  • They don't know yet.
  • Have you spoken to him yet?
  • Have they got back to you yet?

It can also be used to look back on the more distant past.

  • We've been to Singapore a lot over the last few years.
  • She's done this type of project many times before.
  • We've mentioned it to them on several occasions over the last six months.
  • They've often talked about it in the past.

When we look back on the more distant past, we often use the words 'ever' (in questions) and 'never'.

  • Have you ever been to Argentina?
  • Has he ever talked to you about the problem?
  • I've never met Jim and Sally.
  • We've never considered investing in Mexico.

Comments

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wannaissac

wannaissac

China

good`
so nice job ..

10:34 AM Feb 09 2008 |

Abdulkareem

Saudi Arabia

Thanks

We look for more

10:23 AM Feb 09 2008 |

hasan5

hasan5

Pakistan

thanks dude,

I've learned beside concerned topic.

Thank you once again.

08:36 AM Feb 09 2008 |

hasan5

hasan5

Pakistan

Thanks dude !

08:32 AM Feb 09 2008 |

charlie_jhayson

Philippines

How about past perfect ?! Its very confusing!!

04:16 AM Feb 09 2008 |

Abraham Adobu

Nigeria

That's good! It is useful!! Thanks!!!

11:04 PM Feb 08 2008 |

Abraham Adobu

Nigeria

That's good! It is useful!! Thanks!!!

11:02 PM Feb 08 2008 |

nono ksa

nono ksa

Saudi Arabia

 

 

thx for the lesson it's hard for me cause i mix bettwen past and persent perfect

i wrote in my exam ( he have lived) it s wrong cause i use it alot in my writing

 

 

10:17 PM Feb 08 2008 |

ROCIO MERA RODRIGUEZ

Peru

good

08:47 PM Feb 08 2008 |

rajendra_paudyal

Nepal

hi i cand do

08:23 PM Feb 08 2008 |

Capricious___girl

Azerbaijan

  HMM Good, but sometimes i cant chosse THE PAST and PRESENT PERFECT TENSE, and I mixed them, i dont know why

08:21 PM Feb 08 2008 |

shileisds

shileisds

China

good job!!

06:09 PM Feb 08 2008 |

indunil

indunil

Sri Lanka

Smilethanks

09:21 AM Feb 08 2008 |

indunil

indunil

Sri Lanka

thanks

09:20 AM Feb 08 2008 |

zinabre

zinabre

Brazil

thanks a lot .it cause very problems when we think in the past

02:44 AM Feb 08 2008 |

Foliage

Foliage

China

Yet can only be used in question and negetive!

Useful information! Thank U!!!

06:33 PM Feb 07 2008 |

Marilene Ribeiro

Brazil

Thanks so much, now I can uderstand very well about perfect tense, I am very happy about this!!!!

05:07 PM Feb 07 2008 |

MajdoleenDad

Kuwait

thannnnnnks that's useful

08:50 AM Feb 07 2008 |

China

GOOD

06:45 AM Feb 07 2008 |

China

YEAH!VERY WEII

06:45 AM Feb 07 2008 |

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