Present Perfect
The present perfect is used to connect the past with the present. It is often used to talk about actions or experiences that started in the past but have a connection to the current moment. It can also be used to describe actions that have finished.
| Positive | Positive short form | Negative | Negative short form |
|---|
| I have thought | I've thought | I have not thought | I haven't thought |
| You have spoken | You've spoken | You have not spoken | You haven't spoken |
| She, he, it has worked | She, he, it's worked | She, he, it has not worked | She, he, it hasn't worked |
| We have begun | We've begun | We have not begun | We haven't begun |
| They have eaten | They've eaten | They have not eaten | They haven't eaten |
When the exact time of the action is unknown or isn't important, including actions which are finished (not continuing into the present).
- Have you seen 'Black Panther'?
- Someone has stolen my phone!
- I have been to Acra.
When the time period mentioned hasn't ended
- It has snowed a lot this winter.
- I have worked very hard today.
- They haven't seen him today.
Actions began in the past and continuing into the present
- He has worked as a bartender for five years.
- We have had the same house for thirty years.
- They haven't worked here for years.
Actions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now
- He has gone to visit them frequently.
- It has thundered several times already.
- We have complained about that restaurant many times.