1. The Present Perfect

2. Used to express…
1- An action that started in the past and continues in the present. Example: I have tolerated him for a long time.

3. 2- An action that could be continued within a given time frame
2- An action that could be continued within a given time frame. Example: I have watched three movies this week.

4. Notice the difference
Last week, I watched three movies. This week, I have watched three movies.

5. 3- Action that happened (or was repeated) in the past Example: I have asked you to do the dishes about 10 times!

6. 4- An action that happened at an unspecified time in the past.
Time is unknown
Time is not important

7. Notice the difference
I saw that movie yesterday. I have seen that movie already.

8. Formation Subject Has/have Past participle of a verb** Object I have
seen
this before. He
has
said
nice things.
They
walked
the whole mile. **
For all regular verbs, the past participle is the exact same word as the simple past.
Walked (simple past) = I have walked (past participle)
For all irregular verbs, the past participle can be found on p.125 of your agenda, 3rd column.

9. Often used with the words…
Since + a specific moment in time (You haven’t been the same since your boyfriend broke up with you). For+ a period or duration of time (For the last three weeks, I have been crying like a baby.)

10. Present Perfect vs. Simple Past
Time period
(time frame)
Not finished yet.
I have been working hard this year (the year is not over/finished).
Finished.
I worked hard last year (Last year is over/finished)
Time
Not specific
Not important
(I’ve seen this movie before (so I know how it ends). It is not important to know WHEN it was watched before; the results are the same.
Specific
Important
(I saw this movie yesterday (so don’t want to watch it again before). The moment is important because it might explain WHY I don’t want to watch it again today.

11. Adverbs
Adverbs are often found between the auxiliary (has/have) and the past participle.
I have already seen this movie.

12. Been vs. Gone
Been and Gone can both be the past participle of the verb « to go ». Notice the differences:
Been: usually to discuss « life experiences ». You went somewhere and came back.
Example: I’ve been to Paris three times.
Gone: you went somewhere and is still there (you did not come back yet).
Example: Julie has gone to Mexico. (She is still there.)