22 March 2012 / by Radmila Gurkova

Present Perfect Tense - He has been to Paris



 

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Subject + has/have + Past Participle 

She has eaten an apple

 

We use the Present Perfect Simple tense to talk about what happened until now…

Do you know how to use the Present Perfect Tense?


The present perfect tense always has a connection with the past and with the present.

3 uses of the present perfect tense

1. Experience


We often use the present perfect tense to talk about experience from the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you did it:

  • I have seen Brad Pitt.

  • I have lived in London.

  • I have gone to the museum.


2. Continuing situation 


We can also use the present perfect tense to talk about a continuing situation. It started in the past and continues in the present.

This is a state (not an action).

We use for or since with this structure.

  • I have been here since 5 o'clock.

  • How long have you worked here for?

  • She has been sick for a week.


3. Change


We also use the present perfect tense to talk about a change or new information:

  • John has broken his car.

  • Has the price increased?


Note: The Present Perfect Tense is common in British English. American speakers use the past tense rather than the present perfect tense.

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