5 usos do present perfect

Flowchart nodes

• 1 An ongoing action that started in the past, but has not yet been completed  This is the main usage of the present perfect tense, which demonstrates the relationship between an action started in the past and its effects on the present.  The professor has taught here for two decades.  They have played piano since the age of three.  Note that you can also use the present perfect continuous tense for this situation, as long as the action has not been completed yet (and it’s not a stative verb). The difference between the present perfect tense and the present perfect continuous tense, in this case, is emphasis:  The present perfect tense emphasizes the effects or consequences of the action. The present perfect continuous tense emphasizes the action itself or the length of time. So, for example, if you want to plainly say where you live, use the normal present perfect tense.  I’ve lived in Lagos my whole life.  If you want to emphasize how long you’ve been living in a place, use the present perfect continuous tense.  I’ve been living in Lagos my whole life.  What about an action started in the past that has already been completed? For that, you can use the simple past.  She worked there for five years but was fired last week. 

• 2 A series of the same action completed multiple times in the past, likely to happen again in the future When the same action has happened a few times already, you can use the present perfect tense if the action will likely happen again in the future. If the action probably won’t happen again, you can use the simple past tense.  I’ve seen the movie six times! [probably will see it again] I saw the movie six times! [probably will not see it again]

• 3 An action that was completed very recently (often used with just or now) If an action was only completed very recently, you can describe it with the present perfect tense. Even though the action happened in the past, it was so recent that it’s directly connected to the present. These cases usually use adverbs like just or now to show that the action happened not long ago.  I shouldn’t eat anymore because I’ve just brushed my teeth.  We’ve finished practice now, so let’s go home. 

• 4 A change over time The present perfect tense is often used to emphasize a change that happened over an extended period of time.  My cousin has grown so much since I saw her two years ago.  Thanks to the many months of playing, I have become an expert at Wordle. 

• 5 An uncompleted action that is expected to be finished (in the negative) If an action started in the past but was not completed, you can describe it with the present perfect tense if it’s likely to be completed in the future. This situation uses the negative form to show that the action is still unfinished and often uses the adverb yet.  The jury has not reached a verdict yet.  I haven’t finished my paper, but it’s due in an hour!

• 6 To add significance to a completed action Last, you can use the present perfect tense to make any past action sound more important. The present perfect tense is often used with great achievements or accomplishments, as well as dramatic or rare events. This makes it appropriate for newsworthy events or major life experiences.  Macbeth has killed the king.  I’ve met the love of my life! When not to use the present perfect