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Present Perfect Tense

Remember! There are 2 primary reasonsto use the Present Perfect Tense.

The Rest of the Story

Reason #1

To talk about a completed past action at a non-specific

time. The action is finished. You dont know, care orremember when it happened.

For example: Ive read that book before.

Shes already done her homework.

Reason #2With the words for and since to talk about something that

began in the past and continues to now.

For example: Ive studied at this school since last June.

Shes lived in West Palm Beach for 2 months.

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When we use the Present Perfect with for orsince it gives the idea that something began in

the past and continues into the present (and maycontinue into the future.)

SINCE + POINT IN TIME

Use the present perfect with since + point in time

(since 5:00, since Monday, since 1994) to showwhen something started.

Ive worked at this job since last year.Hes lived in Florida since March.

Theyve been married since 1985.

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FOR + LENGTH OF TIME

Use the Present perfect with for + length of time (forten minutes, for two weeks, for years, for a long time)

to show how long a present condition has lasted.

Ive worked at this job for one year.

Hes lived in Florida for 9 months.

Theyve been married for a long time.

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SINCE can also introduce a time clause.

OK..So whats a time clause?Take a look at the following examples:

Ive lived in Lake Worth since I moved to Florida.

When the action in the time clause ended in thepast, use the simple past tense in the time clause.

(moved to Florida is overit happenedit is finished.)

Ive studied at the AEC since Ive lived in Florida.

When the action in the time clause began in thepast but continues into the present, use thepresent perfect.

(I still live in Florida.)

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So

How do we ask questions using this tense?

When we want to know the length oftime something has taken place we use

the question words HOW LONG.

How long have you lived in West Palm Beach?

Ive lived here for 2 years.

How long has she studied English at the AEC?Shes studied at the AEC since 2005.

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Wake up! Back to Reason #1(completed past action at a non-specific time)

We often use the Present Perfect with alreadytotalk about things that have happened before now.

Ive already eaten breakfast.

Shes already read that book.Youre too late. Hes already left for school.Hes left for school already.

Already usually comes between have andthe past participle. However, it can alsocome at the end of the clause. Take a

look above.

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Use the present perfect with not yetto talk aboutthings that have not happened before now.

Were hungry. We havent eaten lunch yet.Sure Ill go with you. I havent seen that movie yet.Weve waited for an hour, but they havent arrived yet.They havent yet arrived. (This is OK.)

Notice that yetusually comes at the end of the clause.However, it can also come between the have not andthe past participle.

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We usually use yet in questionsto find out ifsomething has happened before now.

Have you bought your mother a present yet?Has she seen that movie yet?Have they left for school yet?

Sometimes we use already in a questiontoexpress surprise that something happened

sooner than expected.

Have you already bought your mother a present?I didnt know you had a chance to go shopping.

Have they already left for school? Its so early.

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Any Questions?

No?

OK Lets Practice!