How long is present perfect?

How long is present perfect?

You can use the present perfect tense when you want to talk about how long you have done something, or for what amount of time you have done something. It is used to talk about an action that began in the past and continues up to the present (and will probably continue in the future).

When use present perfect?

The present perfect is often used for an action that started at some time in the past and is still continuing now. In this case, the words for (with a length or period of time) and since (with a specific starting time) are usually used with the present perfect. He has lived in Canada for five years.

Is the present perfect simple or continuous?

We use both the present perfect simple (have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous (have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.

Does the present perfect focus on the duration?

The present perfect continuous (has been chatting) talks about how long something has been happening. ... So with actions that started in the past and continue to the present and are; temporary actions, actions where the focus is on duration – 'how long' or unfinished actions we usually use the present perfect continuous.

How long is present perfect and past simple?

We use "How long ago" to ask about a completely finished period of time. So we use the simple past. "How long" is similar to "since when" - the answer: for two years, since 2010 up to now. Michael Swan says: "We use a present perfect to say how long a situation or action has continued up to now."

How do you explain present perfect?

The present perfect tense refers to an action or state that either occurred at an indefinite time in the past (e.g., we have talked before) or began in the past and continued to the present time (e.g., he has grown impatient over the last hour). This tense is formed by have/has + the past participle.

What is the difference between past perfect and present perfect?

The present perfect is formed using the present tense of the verb "to have" and the past participle of the main verb. The past perfect tense says that an action was completed at a time before another action happened in the past.

When to use the present perfect in English?

• The present perfect is formed from the present tense of the verb have and the past participle of a verb. We use the present perfect: for something that started in the past and continues in the present: They've been married for nearly fifty years. She has lived in Liverpool all her life. when we are talking about our experience up to the present:

What does the present perfect progressive tense mean?

• The present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present perfect progressive tense) shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time.

When to use present perfect in unfinished time?

• Unfinished time and states We often use the present perfect to say what we've done in an unfinished time period, such as today, this week, this year, etc., and with expressions such as so far, until now, before, etc. They've been on holiday twice this year. We haven't had a lot of positive feedback so far.

Do you use present perfect with time adverbials?

• Present perfect with time adverbials 2. Be careful! We do not use the present perfect with adverbials which refer to a finished past time: yesterday. last week/month/year. in 2017.