For questions about use of the present perfect, a verb construction which implies a present state arising out of a past eventuality.
Questions tagged [present-perfect]
1730 questions
24
votes
10 answers
What is wrong with "have put" in "I have put the water in the freezer"?
How to talk about putting water in the freezer to become ice?
I have to tell the child that I have put the water in the freezer and after some time it will convert into ice.
https://ell.stackexchange.com/a/76262/26777
As a side note "have put"…
CoffeeDay
- 947
- 5
- 12
- 22
12
votes
2 answers
"Have you seen her?" or "Did you see her?"
I already knew that we use the present perfect for an action in the past with a result now.
Consider the following questions:
"I'm looking for Paula. Have you seen her?"
"I'm looking for Paula. Did you see her?"
Is there any difference between…
mrmowji
- 425
- 1
- 6
- 16
11
votes
2 answers
"Since the 1980s it has become known as horizontal gene transfer" - when exactly?
From an article on biology
The discovery of horizontal gene transfer (HGT) can be traced to 1928 when Fred Griffith reported the transfer of genetic material from heat-killed virulent Streptococcus pneumoniae to an avirulent form of the bacterium…
CowperKettle
- 36,571
- 17
- 132
- 226
9
votes
2 answers
What does it mean "I've been meaning to phone Jane"?
I've been meaning to phone Jane. I keep forgetting.
Can you explain what the first sentence mean? Can you justify this usage of the Perfect Progressive tense?
(I guess that to mean stands for to intend here.)
mosceo
- 7,266
- 35
- 97
- 147
8
votes
2 answers
Using "already" in interrogative sentences
I know that we use "yet" with Present Perfect in interrogative and negative sentences. And "already" is used in affirmative statements. Despite that fact I have found one sentence:
"What have you already done today?"
Is it correct?
Anthony Voronkov
- 1,601
- 5
- 28
- 49
5
votes
1 answer
Does `Present Perfect Continuous` give the feeling of a temporary action?
Ⅰ.
Have you drunk whiskey?
I want to know have you ever tried this kind of alcohol in your life.
Have you been drinking whiskey?
Maybe I smell whiskey and you look drunk. I assume you drank some whiskey not long time ago.
Ⅱ.
This tree has stood…
mosceo
- 7,266
- 35
- 97
- 147
5
votes
3 answers
They have been to Washington (they are there now vs. they are back now)
I have have been reading about the present perfect and come across this example on this page. First have a look at the example and then find my question below, please.
The Martin family are on holiday in North America. Here are their travel…
learner
- 5,918
- 29
- 81
- 140
5
votes
2 answers
Present perfect simple with "currently"
Is it correct to say:
"I have worked at Microsoft, Apple and currently Google"
meaning you've recently worked in the first two companies, and now in the third one?
Other examples:
"I have been a student in Paris, Rome, Madrid and currently…
Deoro
- 51
- 2
4
votes
1 answer
Is Perfect Tense appropriate in "I have forgotten to post your letter."?
I was supposed to answer the question "Did you post my letter?" I answered "No. I have forgotten to." It was a wrong answer. The right one was "No I forgot to."
Can I use Present Perfect there? On one hand since now I remember that I was supposed to…
mosceo
- 7,266
- 35
- 97
- 147
4
votes
3 answers
Present perfect - I haven't lost my key
The present perfect tense (I have lost my key) is used when I lost my key, and I don't still have it. Is it right?
Then, if I lost my key, but I found the key, and I have it now, can I say "I haven't lost my key because I found it"? Because the…
user182348
4
votes
2 answers
I didn't see him / I haven't seen him
Watching a movie, I've just heard of this lines:
A: "I'm just looking for Barbie. Is he around?"
B: "I haven't seen him."
I've always been confused about present perfect and simple past.
So why did B say so, not "I didn't see him." What's the…
user1610952
- 667
- 5
- 13
- 19
4
votes
1 answer
it is shipped or has been shipped
what is the difference between these sentences, are they correct?
once it has been shipped, I will let you know how much I paid for the postage.
once it is shipped, I will let you know how much I paid for the postage.
Yves Lefol
- 7,469
- 12
- 49
- 88
3
votes
3 answers
Can 'I have written to him for a long time/for six years' mean I recently stopped writing him?
I have written to him for a long time.
Is it possible to write that? Someone told me that this sentence was not valid, but I don't understand why? Is it true?
It means for me that I still write to my friend or that I have recently stopped.
I…
Yves Lefol
- 7,469
- 12
- 49
- 88
3
votes
3 answers
Can you use present perfect "have been here" if you are still here?
If I go to a bar and say:
"I have been here many times"
is it correct?
I know we use 'have been' for past experience when we are no longer at that place now.
Rocky
- 565
- 4
- 11
- 22
3
votes
2 answers
The last year with present perfect
Glasgow based duo Happy Meals have spent the last year since the release of their debut Apéro touring the globe, experimenting with new sounds and forms, and are now ready to introduce Fruit Juice.
The use of present perfect with the last year…
Yves Lefol
- 7,469
- 12
- 49
- 88