Explanation
Exercises
B1 Grammar • Light Theme

Present Perfect — Form & Use

Clear rules, common time expressions, been vs gone, for vs since, and how it contrasts with the Past Simple.

Form

Build it

have/has + past participle (V3) → regular -ed / irregular 3rd form

Positive

  • I/You/We/They have seen it.
  • He/She/It has finished.
Short forms: ’ve / ’s

Negative

  • I/You/We/They haven’t seen it.
  • He/She/It hasn’t finished.
Use haven’t/hasn’t + V3

Questions & short answers

QuestionShort answer
Have you finished yet?Yes, I have. / *Yes, I’ve.
Has she called?No, she hasn’t.
Use

When do we use the Present Perfect?

  1. Past events with no time given (relevant now)
    I have broken my arm. • She has found a job.
  2. Recent events with just, already, yet, recently
    He has just called. • I’ve already finished. • Have you finished yet?
  3. Life experiences (time not stated) — with ever, never, before, superlatives + ever
    Have you ever eaten insects? • I’ve never read that book. • It’s the best film I’ve ever seen.
  4. How many times up to now
    I’ve watched it three times. • We’ve been to Paris twice.
  5. Unfinished time or situations from past → now — with for, since, how long, all + time, latelystill true
    We’ve been married for 25 years. • I’ve lived here since 2012. • How long have you been friends?
Don’t use ago with the Present Perfect. Say “I’ve had this watch for two years,” not “since two years ago.”
Time words

Typical expressions

  • just, already, yet, recently, lately
  • today, this week/month/year (period not finished)
  • ever, never, before
  • for + period • since + point in time • all + time
Have you seen Ted today? (today isn’t finished)
Been vs. Gone

Where is the person now?

  • has gone to — the person is there now.
    Tom has gone to Ireland. (He’s in Ireland.)
  • has been to — the person visited and returned.
    We have been to Ireland three times.
For vs Since

Choose the right linker

for + period

  • for two hours
  • for three years
  • for a long time

since + point in time

  • since Monday
  • since 2012
  • since I was a kid
Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Use the Present Perfect when…

  • When it happened is not stated or not important.
    I have lost my keys.
  • The time period is unfinished (today / this week / this year).
    I have seen her today.
  • You introduce news/experience; details may follow in Past Simple.
    A: I have been to the cinema. — B: What did you see?

Use the Past Simple when…

  • You say or ask when it happened, or you use a finished time.
    *We’ve arrived yesterday.
    We arrived yesterday.
  • You give details about a finished past event.
    I’ve broken my arm. It happened when I fell off my bike.
Exercises:
1
2
3
4

Past simple or present perfect?

Choose past simple or present perfect to complete the sentences below.
1
painting the bedroom yet? ‘Not yet. I’ll finish it tomorrow.’
2
I much last year.
3
I a lot this year.
4
a holiday recently?
5
We last week.
6
We here for five days.
7
Mr Barnes here for 30 years.
8
He loves gardening. He a gardener all his life.
9
anything like this before?
10
My mother in Scotland.

Past simple or present perfect?

Choose past simple or present perfect for each gap below.
1
Maria isn’t here. She ____ to the bank.
A.
B.
C.
2
I can’t find my keys — I ____ them. I ____ them in the kitchen ten minutes ago.
A.
B.
C.
3
____ to Paris? — Yes, I ____ there in 2019.
A.
B.
C.
4
We ____ in this city since 2015.
A.
B.
C.
5
I ____ lunch yet.
A.
B.
C.
6
He ____ the report yesterday, but he ____ it to the boss yet.
A.
B.
C.
7
Breaking news: The government ____ a new tax. They ____ details at a press conference at 11 p.m.
A.
B.
C.
8
When ____ to Japan? — I ____ there on business three years ago.
A.
B.
C.
9
She ____ her leg, so she can’t play today.
A.
B.
C.
10
I ____ him this week, but I ____ him at the party last Saturday.
A.
B.
C.

Past simple or present perfect?

Complete the sentences below with the present perfect or the past simple of the verbs in brackets.
1
We (know) each other since primary school.
2
I (lose) my keys. Can you help me look for them?
3
She (not/finish) her homework yet.
4
I (never/try) surfing, but I'd love to.
5
We (be) to Paris three times.
6
I (visit) Paris in 2019.
7
(you/see) the new exhibition yet?
8
I (see) Emma at the café yesterday.
9
He (just/call) you — try phoning him back.
10
When (you/finish) your report? — Last night.

Past simple or present perfect?

Fill in the gaps using the following words in the box
so far since yet before ago yet just ever for already
1
It’s been a month we moved house.
2
We haven’t seen each other three weeks.
3
I think I’ve been here .
4
The show ended ten minutes .
5
A: Have you finished your homework ? B: Not yet.
6
Don’t worry, I’ve sent the email.
7
I’m not hungry. I’ve had lunch.
8
We haven’t found a solution .
9
Have you ridden a horse?
10
We’ve only raised $500 .