when the action in the past has a result now

Summary 2-34

Now it’s time to review Present Perfect

Name

PRESENT PERFECT

Rules

We use Present Perfect

1) when the action in the past has a result now

# 'Where's your key?' 'I don't know. I've lost it.' (= I don't have it now)

# He told me his name, but I've forgotten it. (= I can't remember it now)

2) when we give new information

# Ow! I've burnt myself.                                             

# The road is closed. There has been an accident.

NB1: If we continue to talk about it, we use Past Simple.

# - Ow! I've burnt myself.        

 - How did you do that? (not have you done)

 - I picked up a hot dish. (not have picked)

3) When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now

# We've never had a car. (I’m talking about the things I’ve had in my life; it’s a period that continues until now)

MARKERS: recently / lately(недавно, в последнее время),in the last / past few days(за последние несколько дней),so far(на данный момент, к настоящему времени),since (breakfast), today, this morning(если утро еще не закончилось), for a long time(долгое время),always, never, Have you ever?

# Have you heard anything from Brian recently?

# I've met a lot of people in the last few days.

# Everything is going well. We haven't had any problems so far.

# I'm hungry. I haven't eaten anything since breakfast.

# It's good to see you again. We haven't seen each other for a long time.

NB2: Use Past Simple to talk about a finished time.

# Did you hear from Brian yesterday?

Compare:

# He always read good books. Он всегда читал хорошие книги (мой дедушка, он уже умер).

# He’s always read good books. Он всегда читал хорошие книги (мой друг Вася, до сих пор дружим)