Page 185 - Basic English Usage

187 243

5 Repeated actions up to now
We use the present perfect to say that something has happened several
times up to the present.

l’ve written six letters since lunchtime.

QOVQOG

PAST
PLLA LSS

How often have you been in love in your life?

6 Actions and states continuing up to now
We use the present perfect to talk about actions, states and situations
which started in the past and still continue.

PAST | ve studied hard for years. > NOW

PAST | I’ve known him since 1960. > NOW

PAST[ I’ve always liked you. > NOW

PAST [ How long have you been here? > NOW

PAST | We’ve always lived here. > NOW

We also use the present perfect progressive in this way.
For the difference, see 244.4.
Do not use the simple present to say how long something has gone on.
I’ve known him since 1960. (NOT Hknewhine ...)

7 Present perfect not used
We do not use the present perfect with adverbs of finished time (like
yesterday, last week, then, three years ago, in 1960).
| saw Lucy yesterday. (NOT thave-seentuey yesterday.)
Hast
Tom was i// last week. (NOT tenthas-been week-)
What did you do then? (NOT What have-you-dene then?)
three
She died three years ago. (NOT She-has-cied )
age-
years
He was born in 1960. (NOT He has-been bertttn49660-)
We do not use the present perfect in ‘narrative’ — when we tell stories,
or give details of past events. (See 241.)
[> For the structure This is the first time | have ...,see 246.