In Smrt 120 Grammar 7-1, we saw that the Present Perfect is used to connect the past with the present. This connection can have many reasons, which will be explored in this unit. This lesson will focus on the Indefinite Past for experiences that did or didn't happen at an indefinite, or unknown, time in the past.

past graphic

This Present Perfect Simple grammar structure is:

have / has  past participle

We use the Present Perfect Simple to describe an experience that has or has not happened. However, we use the Present Perfect Continuous to describe an experience that has been happening over a duration of time or a repeated action over a duration of time and not finished. For both structures, the specific time of the experience is not important, but the experience is.

  • I have never been to a wedding.
  • You have been married four times.
  • She has just got a promotion!
  • We have not given all of our money to charity yet.
  • He has been reading.
  • They have been studying a lot recently.

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Exercise

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