Present Perfect

1️⃣ Life experiences

Use the Present Perfect to talk about experiences in your life when the exact moment is not important.

• I have been to London three times.

• I have travelled alone several times.

• I have never tried snowboarding.

2️⃣ Past → now

Use it when something in the past is still connected to the present.

• I have worked here for three years.

• I haven't seen her since Monday.

3️⃣ Taking stock up to now

Use it to talk about what has happened during a period leading up to now.

• I have done quite a lot since I arrived here.

• I have learnt several new expressions this week.

Present Perfect → experience / connection with now

• I have been to London three times.

• I have done quite a lot since I arrived here.

Past Simple → specific completed event

• I went to London last year.

• Today, I did a via ferrata.

• I visited the Grotte de Médous this afternoon.

Compare:

✅ I have been to London three times.
→ experience in my life

✅ I went to London last year.
→ specific finished time

Common with the Present Perfect:

ever · never · already · yet · before · so far

FOR + duration

• for three years

• for a week

• for a long time

SINCE + starting point

• since Monday

• since 2024

• since I arrived

Examples:

• Have you ever travelled alone?

• I have never been there.

• I haven't finished yet.

• I have lived here for three years.

• I have done a lot since I arrived.

Negative

subject + have/has + not + past participle

• I haven't been there.

• She hasn't finished yet.

Questions

Have/Has + subject + past participle?

• Have you ever travelled alone?

• Has she finished her work?

Short answers

• Yes, I have.

• No, I haven't.

• Yes, she has.

• No, she hasn't.