The present perfect tense: How and When to Use in English
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The present perfect tense
To form the present perfect tense: auxiliary verb have + past participle.
I have lost my keys.
Bruno has decided to take a break.
The action is finished and we want to emphasize this fact, or it is still relevant to the present moment:
He's (or He has) done his work. He has finished or completed his work.
We use the present perfect when:
• an action occurred at an unspecified time in the past
• a past action continues into the present
I haven't seen him lately. I haven't seen him recently.
Everything has been alright so far. Everything has been alright up to now.
The present perfect can be used in the progressive form:
-How long have you been living in San Francisco? -I have been living here for 10 years (or since 1999) -Since when have you lived in San Francisco? -I've lived here for 10 years (or since 1999).
Note: When an adverb (such as never, always, etc.) is present, it is always placed between the auxiliary verb and the past participle:
I have never been to San Francisco.
Susie has always dreamed of working in PR.
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