The present perfect is formed with the present tense of the verb have and the past participle of a verb.
Using the present perfect:
1. For things that started in the past and continue in the present:
They’ve worked here for twenty years.
She has lived in Kyoto since she was a child.
2. To talk about experiences up to the present:
I’ve been to Paris twice.
He’s played the piano since he was six.
We’ve studied English here for 2 years.
3. For something that happened in the past but is important now:
Where’s my wallet? Oh no! I’ve lost it!
He’s eaten lunch so he isn’t hungry.
4. We use ‘ever’ to talk about whole life experiences, especially in questions:
That was the worst film I’ve ever seen!
Have you ever eaten ‘basashi’?
5. We use ‘never’ for the negative form for whole life experiences:
Have you ever eaten sashimi?
No, I’ve never eaten it.
6. Time adverbials:
a. The recent past: recently, just, only just
He has recently bought a new TV.
I’ve just got back from my vacation.
b. The present: up to now, until now, so far, ever, yet,
Have you ever driven a sports car?
Up to now I’ve been to 10 countries.
Has anyone eaten dinner yet?
No. So far only Mary has eaten dinner.
c. Use already to express completion earlier than expected:
She’s already gone to bed.
d. Use for to show the duration and since to show the start point:
I’ve lived here for (10 years/a long time/a while).
He’s had his car since (he was 18/he got married/2023).
e. We don’t use adverbials that show a finished time:
I’ve been shopping yesterday.
He’s bought a sofa last week.
I’ve been to Paris 10 years ago.
f. We can use adverbials which refer to a time which is not yet finished:
Have you been shopping today?
He has bought a sofa this month.
I’ve been to Paris in the last 10 years.
7. Have been and have gone
We use have/has been when someone has gone to a place and returned (or left that place):
A: Have you been to the bank?
B: No, I’ve been to the supermarket.
We use have/has gone if the person has not returned, or is still there:
Tom has gone shopping. He should be home soon.
He’s gone to San Francisco on business.
8. Present perfect continuous:
We often use the present perfect continuous to emphasise the length of time something has been continuing, but not usually with stative verbs:
We’ve been working here since the company opened.
It’s been snowing for 6 hours!
I’ve been working all day. I want to go home.
I’ve been waiting for you for 30 minutes! Where are you?
I’ve been loving you all my life!
9. Present perfect or present simple for the future:
I’ll stay until I have finished the report. OR I’ll stay until I finish the report.
I’ll help you after I’ve finished dinner. OR I’ll help you after I finish dinner.
10. Present perfect passive:
We can use this to show things that have happened to something:
The temple has been destroyed by fire twice.
The cake has been eaten.