2.- How to say it: Present Perfect.
Think about it
Look at the following sentence and answer the following question:
I have been to Canada twice this year.
Do you say exactly when you have been to Paris?
When we want to talk about an action which happened in the past, but the exact time is not mentioned we use Present Perfect.
As you can see from the example, have explored, the present perfectis formed with the present simple of the auxiliary have and the past participle of the verb expressing the action:
HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
There are other uses of Present Perfect:
- To talk about a state which started in the past and continues up to the present:
- She has had her driving licence for 10 years.
- To talk about an action that happened in the past but we can see the results now:
- We’ve created a corporate blog and website, that’s the reason why the number of customers has increased.
The negative and interrogative forms of Present Perfect are very easy. Look at the examples and you’ll discover it!
- I haven’t been to Canada this year.
- Have you been to Canada this year?
Negative form: HAVEN’T / HASN’T + PAST PARTICIPLE
Interrogative form: HAVE / HAS + SUBJECT + PAST PARTICPLE?
PRESENT PERFECT + FOR/SINCE/EVER/JUST
- For + a period of time:
- She has had her driving licence for ten years.
- Since + a specific point in time:
- She has had her driving licence since 2001.
- Just is used for a recently completed action:
- I’ve just decided to start my own IT company.
- Ever is used to ask if any time in your life you have done anything:
- Have you ever considered setting up your own business?
PRESENT PERFECT + ALREADY/YET
- Already is used with affirmative sentences and it’s placed in between the auxiliary and the past participle:
- I’ve already recommended their company to other people.
- Yet is used with negative and interrogative sentences and it’s placed at the end of the sentence:
- Have you recommended their company to other people yet?
- I haven’t recommended their company to other people.