1.1 Descripción de acciones pasadas

Present Perfect Simple

The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.

Form of Present Perfect

 

Positive

Negative

Question

I / you / we / they     

I have spoken.     

I have not spoken.     

Have I spoken?

he / she / it

He has spoken.

He has not spoken.

Has he spoken?     

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add “ed”.

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding ed

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

Example

after a final e only add 

love – loved

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled     

admit – admitted
travel – travelled     

final y after a consonant becomes i

hurry – hurried

Use of Present Perfect

  • puts emphasis on the result

Example: She has written five letters.

  • action that is still going on

Example: School has not started yet.

  • action that stopped recently

Example: She has cooked dinner.

  • finished action that has an influence on the present

Example: I have lost my key.

  • action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking

Example: I have never been to Australia.