The present perfect is used:
- to give news of recent past events which have some relevance to the present.
Be careful! I've just dropped a glass on the floor.
- to describe something that started in the past and continues to the present.
My wife and I have lived in the same house ever since we got married.
- to describe event which occurred at some time between the past and the present. Exactly when they happened is not known or not important.
I've been to Scotland three or four times.
- to talk about something which occurred in the past, but in a time period which includes the present.
Mary's boyfriend has phoned her three times this morning - and it's not even 11 o'clock!
- after the expression it/this/that is the first/second/third, etc time.
This is the first time I've seen this programme.
Time expressions
- The present perfect is commonly used with ever; never, just, recently, so far, still, yet and already when referring to a time period up to now.
They haven't booked their holidays yet.
- For is used with periods of time to show how long something has lasted.
I've known Eric for twenty years.
- Since is used with points in time to show when something started.
I've had this watch since 1985.
The present perfect continuous can be used:
- to emphasize the duration of a situation or activity.
It's been snowing all day.
- to suggest that a situation or activity is temporary.
My mum's not well, so I've been looking after her.
- to suggest a situation or activity is incomplete.
I've been painting the house - that's why it's in a mess.
- to focus on the repetition of a situation or activity.
He's been getting into trouble at school a lot recently.
The present perfect simple and continuous
- Both simple and continuous forms of the present perfect can be used to talk about the effects in the present of a past event.
Your new shoes are ruined! You've been playing football in them, haven't you? (an activity)
I can't do any sport for a few weeks; I've broken my arm. (a single action)
- The continuous form is not used if we talk about the number of things that have been completed or the number of times a thing has been done.
She's eaten six chocolate biscuits.
She's been eating chocolate biscuits.
- Stative verbs such as have (to possess/own), think (to have an opinion), be, like, believe, understand and know are not normally used in the continuous form.
We've known each other for a long time.
