Using the Present Perfect We can distinguish three situations where the present perfect is used, although there is a lot of overlap (= coincidences, similarities ) between these situations. To describe 'experiences' experiences To describe the duration of continuing states and actions duration To describe a past action with a result in the present past action with a result in the presentpast action with a result in the present They can be described as: Escola Andorrana de BatxilleratEnglish department. Grammar workshop.

If a time adverb is used with the present perfect, it describes a … time period which is unfinished !! Remember!! I've seen your brother 3 times today. (I saw your sister last week) = simple past We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now.

To describe 'experiences'experiences Experiences in the sense that we are interested in what happened, and not exactly when it happened. In this situation we use the present perfect to describe an action that can still happen, or can happen again. For example: The teacher hasn't arrived yet. (She might still arrive.) I've spent 20 euros today. (I can still spend money.) Contrast the above sentences with: The teacher didn't arrive (The class is over, he can't arrive now) I've spent 20 euros this morning. ('this morning' is over, I can't spend any more money 'this morning')

To describe the duration of continuing states and actionsduration We use the present perfect simple to describe the duration ('How long...') of a state which is true (it exists) now.state For example, compare: I've lived in London for eight years. (I live in London now.) I lived in London for two years. (We don't know where I live now.) For example, compare: I have studied at the Andorran school since (I still study, I am a student) I studied at the Andorran school. (I finished school)

To describe a past action with a result in the presentpast action with a result in the present We can use the present perfect to describe an action in the past which has a result in the present. She's broken her glasses. (She can't see...) They've been painting the flat. (They're covered in paint...)

Its formula? FORMULA for making the Present Perfect subject + [HAS / HAVE] + [past participle (3rd column)] EXAMPLES: I have seen that film many times. I have never seen that film. NOTE: When you are using a verb tense with more than one part such as Present Perfect (have seen), adverbs usually come between the first part and the second part (have never seen).