When do we use the present perfect? To talk about an action that was completed in the past - the exact time of the action is unknown or unimportant - what is important are the results or effects of that action - they are relevant to now! ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) We have already had breakfast, so we won't be joining you. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) I have read the instructions, but I don't understand them. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) Stock prices have risen, so I'm not going to invest at this point.
To talk about actions which started in the past and continue to the present. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) I've had this car for less than a year. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) She hasn't smoked a cigarette since 1998. To talk about an action recenly completed, usually used with "just". ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) He has just left. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) Have you heard the news?
How do we use the present perfect? [+] I, you, we, they add the helping verb have He, she it ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-36-1.png) add the helping verb has ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) We (/ I / you / they) have launched more than 5 brands in the past year. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) He (/she / it) has had a driver's license for over a decade. [-] I, you, we, they ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-36-1.png) add the helping verb haven't (have not) He, she it ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-36-1.png) add the helping verb hasn't (has not)![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) I (/ you / we / they) haven't moved into the new house yet. ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-21f.png) He (/she / it) hasn't recently been here. [?] I, you, we, they ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-36-1.png) the helping verb Have begins the question He, she it ![](http://127.0.0.1:800/Default/www.talk-to-me.co.il/site/images/icons/image-a-36-1.png) the helping verb has begins the questions Have they (/ I / you / we) fallen asleep yet? Has he (/she / it) already finished the back-up? The relevant form is V3 V1 | V2 | V3 | base form same as present simple | past simple (instead of -ed) | past participle | | | | bet | bet | bet | buy | bought | bought | drink | drank | drunk | eat | ate | eaten | forget | forgot | forgotten | see | saw | seen | sell | sold | sold | think | thought | thought |
Time Expressions used in the Present Perfect | lately | | recently | | just | | yet | | not yet | | ever | | already | | | (now) | before | (length of time) | for years | | since | Also ≈ | | never | | always | | often | | | |
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