The present perfect simple expresses the time or relationship between the past and the present.
 
 
Form of the Present Perfect Simple

Present perfect simple sentences include the auxiliary verb have along with the past participle (verb-3).

I/We/You/They Pam and Bob + have (not/never) + verb-3 Her classmates

She/He/It Mr. Nemo/Our dog + has (not/never) + verb-3 The radio host

 
 
There are three main uses of the present perfect.

1. Unspecified Past, Experiences

1. It describes something that happened sometime in the past (unspecified). This often refers to experiences.

Examples:
• My brother has bought all of his movies.
• Some people in the Midwest of the US have never seen the ocean.
• We have received your payment. Thank you and have a nice day.

2. Began in Past and Continues to the Present

2. The present perfect describes actions and states that began in the past and continues to the present. We include a time reference, and commonly use the present perfect continuous.

Examples:
• Billy has been taking remedial English classes for the past year.
• Mr. and Mrs. Ksakeny have been milking cows since 1974.
• He has been president of the country for the past 40 years.

3. Happened in the Past, but is Still Relevant Today

3. Something the happened generally in the recent past, but effects the present in some way.

Examples:
• I have upgraded my internet speed to 10 Mbps.
• The government has removed all barriers to free trade.
• Gulnoosh and her friends have started an art club.

Answer the following questions or respond to the following statements. Say why and give examples.

Personal, City, Country

Blue. How long have you lived in your town or city? When did you or your family move to your city?
I have lived in my city since . . .

Red. I have known my best friend since kindergarten. Yes or no? How long have you known your best friend? Where did you meet?

White. How long have you worked at your current company or organization? Do you get along with your boss? Is your boss fair or mean and strict?

Green. I have been on television and in the newspaper. True or false? Have you seen your friends on TV or the newspaper?

Black. What devices have you owned (i.e. PC, desktop computer, laptop, tablet, phablet, smartphone)? How long have you had them?

Purple, Violet. I have experienced a thunderstorm. Is this right or wrong? Have you ever seen lightning? Have you experienced a hailstorm, flood, drought, heatwave, hurricane, earthquake, freeze? How did it feel? Have you ever seen snow? A tornado? A volcanic eruption?

Yellow. Have your friends ever participated in or seen a protest or demonstration? What was it about? Have you ever seen a riot?

Gray, Grey. Some people in my country have never seen the sea or ocean. Is this correct or incorrect?

Food, Cuisine

Pink. McDonald’s has been in my city for over 50 years. Is this true or false? How long have Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, KFC, pizza and shopping malls been in your city?

Brown. I have tasted alligator, bird’s nest, caterpillar, caviar, clams, crab, deer, duck, eels, frogs, goose, grasshopper, heart, intestine, jellyfish, kidney, liver, lobster, lung, octopus, ostrich, ostrich eggs, oysters, pigeon, quail, quail’s egg, rabbit, shark, shrimp, silk worms, snails, snakes, squid, stomach, truffles, turtles. Yes or no? What is the most unusual, exotic, interesting or bizarre food that you have tasted?

Gold. Have you ever eaten African, American, Argentinian, Caribbean, Colombian, Bangladeshi, Brazilian, Chinese, French, German, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Lebanese, Malay, Mexican, Moroccan, Persian, Peruvian, Polish, Spanish, Russian, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Uzbek, Vietnamese or other foreign or ethnic cuisine?

Aqua, Turquoise. Have you or your friends ever milked a cow, goat, sheep or buffalo? Have you tasted cow’s, goat’s sheep’s and buffalo cheese?
 
 
 
 

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