The present perfect simple is occasionally mistaken for the Past Simple, but I’ve discovered a method to tell them apart. If you want to talk about an event that occurred at a specific moment or during a particular period in the past (and it didn’t continue up to the present), you should employ the Past Simple. However, when you come across the situations listed below, it’s appropriate to use the present perfect simple.
1. When talking about a past event without a specific time
- I have (I’ve) broken my arm.
- She has (She’s) found the job.
2. When the sentence has: just, already, yet
- Tony has just called.
- I‘ve already finished my homework.
- Have you finished your homework yet?
3. When the event occurred recently
- They‘ve recently bought a new car.
4. When the time we mentioned has not yet finished
- I‘ve seen John today.
- Has she called you this week?
- She’s been with me all day.
- I’ve been very busy lately.
5. When talking about the past experience with ever, never or before
- I‘ve never read this book.
- Have you ever seen a John Wayne film.
- I haven’t experienced anything like this before.
- This is the best meal I’ve ever had.
6. When you want to say how many times something has happened until now
- I’ve watched this film three times.
- We’ve been to Paris twice.
7. Have gone to or have been to
We use ‘has gone to’ when someone is still there, and we use ‘has been to’ when someone has come back.
- Tom has gone to Ireland. He’ll be there for a couple of weeks.
- We have been to Ireland three times. We love it.
8. Ask or talk about situations that started in the past and have not finished
Sentences in this category are usually accompanied by the words for, since and how long. We use for followed by a period of time, such as two days or three weeks. We use since followed by the moment in the past when something started.
- We’ve been married for 25 years.
- I’ve had this watch since I was a kid.
- How long have you been friends?
9. With non-action verbs (stative verbs)
we must use the present perfect simple with Stative or non-action verbs, and we normally use the present perfect continuous with dynamic verbs (although the present perfect simple is also possible.)
- We‘ve had this car for years.
- We’ve known Dave and Julia for years.
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