The Present Perfect

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Contents: Movie | Text | Form | Explanation

Movie

Text

Larry: Hi, my name is Larry and this is Sarah.

Sarah: Hi.

Larry: Today I am going to explain the present perfect. The present perfect is about time. Sarah, give us an example.

Sarah: I have been to Paris.

Larry: I have been to Paris.

Sarah does not say when, so she uses the present perfect.

Now, Sarah, give us an example of the past simple.

Sarah: I went to Paris last year.

Larry: I went to Paris last year. Sarah says when - last year - so she uses the past simple. Now, let's have one more example of the present perfect.

Sarah: I have been to Paris this year.

Larry: I have been to Paris this year.

This time, Sarah uses time. However, the time period is not finished yet. It is still this year. So we use the present perfect.

Present Perfect: Form

Subject	Have	Past Participle	Object
I	have	been	to Paris.

 

Explanation

1. We use the present perfect when we don't use time.

I have been to Paris. (I don't say when.)

2. We use the past simple when we use finished time.

I went to Paris last year. (Last year is finished.)

3. We use the present perfect with an unfinished time period.

I have been to Paris this year. (This year has not finished.)

Practice

Look at the following sentences and choose the correct alternative, present perfect or past simple.