BiteSize 5-minute English Grammar: Uses for the Present Perfect Simple

Struggling to understand when and why use the Present Perfect! I have just had a great idea! In this BiteSize English Grammar lesson, I will show you three situations we can use the Present Perfect

In the simplest way, we use the Present Perfect to connect a past action to the present. Let’s start with 3 different situations we can use the Present Perfect for, with some examples

Use 1: To talk about life experiences without saying when they happened

Example 1 :

Imagine that you went to Paris when you were 10 years old. Now, you are 30 years old.

You can use the past simple: "My family and I went to Paris 20 years ago."

But, if it doesn’t matter when you went to Paris, you can use the Present Perfect: "I have been to Paris." (I went to Paris sometime in the past and it is still true in the present)

Example 2:

Let’s imagine you didn’t visit Paris at any point in your life: "I haven’t been to Paris, but I would like to go one day." (I never went to Paris at any point in my life and it is still true in the present)

Example 3:

Betty: "Do you like sushi, George?"

George: "I don’t know. I have never tried it." (in my whole life, I never ate sushi once)

Use 2: When we use stative or state verbs to talk about situations that started in the past and continue to the the present

Example 1:

The last time I saw my parents was last year: "I haven’t seen my parents since last year."- NOT "I haven’t been seeing my parents since last year." (between last year and now, I didn't meet my parents)

Example 2:

Mr and Mrs Tully bought their house in 1982: "Mr and Mrs Tully have owned their house since 1982." - NOT "Mr and Mrs Tully have been owning their house since 1982. (The Tullys bought the house in 1982 and it is still theirs in the present)

Example 3:

I met my best friend George in 1998 and now it is 2024: "My best friend and I have known each other for over 25 year." - NOT "My best friend and I have been knowing each other for over 25 years." (Mine and George's friendship started in 1998 and continues to today)

Use 3: To talk about recently completed actions (without saying when they were completed) that have a connection to the present. The result of a past action is important in or influences the present

Example 1:

I finished painting the wall some time recently and the paint is still wet: "Don’t touch the wall!I have just finished painting it!" (Although I finished painting it, it is still wet now so don't touch it)

Example 2:

Alain: "We are ordering some food from our favourite restaurant. Do you want anything?"

Petra: "No thanks. I have already eaten." (Petra ate recently, so she is not hungry now)

Example 3:

Paul: "Why do you look so different today?"

Sarah: "Because I have had my hair cut!" (my hair was cut recently and now I look different)

Paul: “Ah, that’s it. It suits you.”

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And that’s it! Three situations in which we use the Present Perfect. Happy learning and keep an eye out for more BiteSize English Grammar. 

Confident English. Confident You.