Present perfect versus past simple

2.  We use it when we talk about a period of
time that continues from the past until now.
The action is unfinished. Also, it is used to
talk about experiences.
 It is formed with the present of the verb “to
have” and the past participle of the main
verb.
 I have cut my finger. (Me he cortado el dedo)
 Where is my key? I have just lost it. (¿Dónde
está mi llave? Acabo de perderla)

3.  In negative and question sentences, we add “not” to
the verb to have.
 We haven’t gone to the gym today.
 Julia hasn’t swum in her swimming-pool this weekend.
 Question and short answer:
 Have you gone? Yes, I have
 Has she worked? No, she hasn’t
 Adverbs or expressions which go with present perfect:
 Just, already, yet, ever, today, this morning, since, for…
 She has just got up. (Acaba de levantarse)
 She has already had dinner. (Ya ha cenado)
 We haven’t studied yet. (No hemos estudiado todavía)
 Have you read that book yet? (¿Ya has leído ese libro?
 Have you ever tried Chinese food? (¿Has probado alguna vez la
comida china?)

4.  We use for + a period of time.
 I have been waiting for two hours. (He estado
esperando durante dos horas)
 We use since + the start of a period.
 I haven’t seen Tom since Monday. (No he visto
a Tom desde el lunes)

5.  I have lost my purse. (I haven’t found it yet)
 I lost my purse. (I have found it or I haven’t
stopped looking for it)
 My cousin has written several plays. (He can
still write more).
 Shakespeare wrote several plays. (He is dead
so he can’t write anymore)

6.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7t_nXkq
FuI&hd=1# (Present Perfect)
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JfrS2gY
Ke0&hd=1 (Present Perfect versus past
simple)