Present Perfect: I have done

Present Perfect: I have done,
We want to look back from the present to the past.

I have broken my watch. You have lost your keys.

A/ Present Perfect: Construction:

Have/has + Past Participle: Subject + « to have » + Past Participle

I have done, We have done,
You have done, You have done,
He, She, it has done, They have done.

B/ Present Perfect: USE:

1/ We can use it to look back on the RECENT PAST with already, just, yet

There’s a connection with the present, with now (when I’m speaking),
I’ve lost my keys. (There are still lost, so we can’t enter in the flat!)
Where is Peter? Peter has gone out. (He’s still outside now!)
I’ve broken my watch. (I don’t know what time it is).
She’s taken my copy. (I don’t have one).

Keywords: we often use « already », « just » or « yet » (in negatives and questions only).

already: something happened sooner than expected.

Do you pay your incomes taxes? Yes, it’s done, I’ve already paid it.
What time are they coming? They’ve already arrived!
We’ve already talked about that.

just: a moment ago, a few minutes ago, a short time ago….

Sorry, I’m late, do you wait me a long time? No, I’ve just arrived.
Peter isn’t here? No, he’s just left.
I’ve just done it.

yet: until this moment, now. We use « yet » only in negatives and questions sentences:

Do you offer the ring to Kathy? I’ve bought it, but I haven’t offered it yet.
Does he stop smoking? No, he‘s not stopped yet.
Has she arrived? No, she hasn’t arrived yet.
Do they know? No, they don’t know yet.

2/ We can also used it to look back on the MORE DISTANT PAST.

I’ve been to New York a lot over the last few years.
You’ve done this type of exercices many times before.
They’ve often talked about it in the past.

Keyword: we often use « ever » (in questions) and « never ».

Have you ever been to Paris? I’ve never been to Paris.
Have you ever talked to him? I’ve never talked to him.
Note: We refer to British English rules. But in American English, we can use the past simple with these examples.

PRESENT PERFECT: REMEMBER:

I lost my ring yesterday. (it’s the past: yesterday)
I’ve lost my ring. (it’s maybe 5 minutes ago …)

ENGLISH PRESENT PERFECT :