The Present Perfect

Common errors: The present perfect

Exams student often misuse the present perfect tense. This can cause common errors, such as:

	I have been here since two years.
	I have been here for two years.

	I have done it yesterday.
	I did it yesterday.

	I didn’t see him lately.
	I haven’t seen him lately.

	Have you ever went to Japan?
	Have you ever been to Japan?

When do I use the present perfect?

1. We use the present perfect to talk about things that started in the past and continue into the present and/or the future. We use the present perfect + for to show how long something has lasted.

I’ve had this car for ten years.
He has been a student at this university for three years.

We use the present perfect + since to show when something started.

I’ve had this car since 1998.
He has been a student as this university since 2005.

2. We use the present perfect when we don't know when something happened or when it's not important when something happened.

I’ve eaten my lunch.
They’ve bought a house.

3. We use the present perfect to talk about things that have happened during a period of time that has not ended yet.

I’ve eaten three cakes today.
We’ve had four exams this week.

4. We use the present perfect + yet to talk about something that has not happened before now. Note: yet usually comes at the end of the sentence.

She has not graduated from university yet.
Have you finished your exams yet?

5. We use the present perfect + already to talk about something that has happened sooner than we expected. Note: already usually comes between have/has and the past participle.

She has already graduated from university. 
Have you already finished your exams?

6. We use the present perfect + ever to ask questions about experience.

Have you ever driven a Ferrari?
Has he ever been to China?

We use the present perfect + never to answer questions about experience negatively.

No, I’ve never driven a Ferrari.
No, he’s never been to China.

More Common Errors