1. Present perfect
tense for 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 ET.
He has lived in Bangkok. Have you been there? We have never eaten caviar. |
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Past
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Present
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future
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The action or state
was in the past.
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In my head, I have a
memory now.
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Connection with past: the event was in the
past.
Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it.
Connection with present: in my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it.
2. Present perfect tense for change
We also use the present perfect tense to talk about a change or new
information:
I have bought a car.
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Past
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Present
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future
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-
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+
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Last week I didn't
have a car.
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Now I have a car.
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Has the price gone
up?
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Past
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Present
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future
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+
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-
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Was the price $1.50
yesterday?
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Is the price $1.70
today?
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The police have
arrested the killer.
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Past
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Present
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future
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-
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+
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Yesterday the killer
was free.
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Now he is in prison.
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Connection with past: the past is the opposite of the present.
Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past.
Connection with present: the present is the opposite of the past.
3. Present perfect tense for continuing
situation
We often
use the present perfect tense to talk about a continuing situation. This
is a state that started in the past and continues in the present
(and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an
action). We usually use for or since with this structure.
I have worked here since June.
He has been ill for 2 days. How long have you known Tara? |
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Past
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Present
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future
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The situation started in the past.
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It continues up to now.
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(It will probably continue into the future.)
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Connection with
past: the situation
started in the past.
Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.
Connection with present: the situation continues in the present.
A.3.4For
& Since with Present Perfect Tense
We often
use for and since with the present perfect tense.- We use for to talk about a period
of time - 5 minutes, 2 weeks, 6 years.
- We use since to talk about a point
in past time - 9 o'clock, 1st January, Monday.
for
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Since
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a period of time
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a point in past time
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x------------
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20 minutes
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6.15pm
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three days
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Monday
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6 months
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January
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4 years
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1994
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2 centuries
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1800
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a long time
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I left school
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ever
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the beginning of time
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