The Present Perfect Simple is a tense used to connect the past with the present. It shows that something happened at some time before now, but the exact time is not important.
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle
Examples:
- I have eaten breakfast.
- She has finished her homework.
- They have visited Paris.
When Do We Use the Present Perfect Simple?
1️⃣ To talk about experiences (without saying when):
- I have tried sushi.
- He has never been to London. (The exact time is not mentioned—it’s the experience that matters.)
2️⃣ To describe actions that have an effect on the present:
- I have lost my keys. (So now I can’t open the door.)
- She has broken her leg. (So now she can’t walk.)
3️⃣ To talk about recent actions (often with “just,” “already,” “yet”):
- I have just finished my work.
- He has already seen that movie.
- Have you finished your homework yet?
4️⃣ To describe actions that started in the past and continue now (often with “for” and “since”):
- We have lived here for five years.
- She has worked at that company since 2020.
Common Time Expressions with Present Perfect Simple:
- Just / Already / Yet
- Ever / Never
- For / Since
- So far / Recently / Lately
Present Perfect vs. Past Simple-What’s the Difference?
| Present Perfect | Past Simple |
|---|---|
| I have eaten lunch. | I ate lunch at 1 pm. |
| She has met the new teacher. | She met him yesterday. |
→ Use Present Perfect when the time is unspecified or the focus is on the result.
→ Use Past Simple when the action is finished and the time is clear.
