Present Perfect use

Grammar explanations Present Perfect diagram
Present Perfect form
Present Perfect use
Present Perfect spelling
Present Perfect signal words
Exercises Present Perfect Simple

Present Perfect Tense is used in the following situations:

1. When we are talking about present consequences of the activity which happened in the past.

She's opened the window.
I've read that book.
He's watched that film.

2. When we are talking about activities which started in the past and continue until now.

I've lived in London since 2006.
He has been here since I came.
She has known him for 20 years.
He hasn't been ill for ten years.

3. When we are talking about activities which happened within the period of time with its end now.

I haven't touched that book for 10 days.
I have been to England frequently since 1996.
He has painted a lot of portraits since he left Paris.

4. When we are talking about activities or situations which finish at the time of speaking or just before it. It refers mainly to negative sentences.

I haven't seen you for ages.
I've never heard anything like it.

5. Present Perfect Tense is used when it replaces Future Perfect Tense in time clauses.

When you have worked with us for ten years, we'll give you a company car.