It connects the past to the present. It's not about when it happened, but that it happened.
Imagine a bridge. One side is the Past. The other side is the Present. The Present Perfect is that bridge. The action started in the past, but it is important now.
"I have lost my keys."
(Meaning: I don't have them NOW)
Subject + Auxiliary (Have/Has) + Past Participle (V3)
Hover over the cards to reveal the explanation and examples.
The "Ever/Never" Zone
Talking about things you have done in your life, without saying when.
"I have visited Paris."
"She has never eaten sushi."
Just / Already / Yet
Actions finished very recently that have an effect now.
"I have just finished my homework."
"He has already left."
For / Since
Action started in the past and continues to the present.
"We have lived here for 10 years."
"She has known him since 2015."
Change is visible now
Something happened in the past, and the result is important right now.
"I have lost my keys."
I can't open the door now.
Repeated times
To say that an action has happened several times up to now.
"I have watched this movie three times."
Crucial Distinction
Left, has not returned.
"He has gone to Spain."
Went and returned.
"He has been to Spain."
A specific point in time
A duration of time
Click the button that matches the time expression.
Use this when you know exactly WHEN it happened. The time is finished.
"I visited Paris in 2010."
Details: 2010 is finished.
"She lost her keys yesterday."
Details: Yesterday is over. Maybe she found them?
Use this when the time is NOT important or not finished.
"I have visited Paris."
Details: Sometime in my life. The date doesn't matter.
"She has lost her keys."
Details: She still doesn't have them.