Present perfect tense: use for "recent news"

My previous post along with this one addresses when to use the present perfect tense (a form of the past tense). Because the present perfect tense serves many functions, it can be difficult to remember the rules.

Ask yourself this question: is the information new or old?
Answer: the present perfect is often used when giving recent news.



The price of gasoline has gone up. (a recent change - yesterday the price was lower)

I have lost my keys. (I had my keys five minutes ago - now they are gone)

It has finally stopped raining. (It was raining for a long time - now it is not raining)

Ouch! I've been bitten by a mosquito again! (a new bite)

Somebody has stolen my scooter! Now I'll have to take the bus home.
(a recent and unexpected change)


Use the present perfect for recent news.

Use present perfect tense for "experiences"

The present perfect tense is one way to talk about the past and it's a challenge to learn because it has several functions. The key is to associate the present perfect with unspecified time; it is NOT used to describe a specific event.

One example of unspecified time is "experience". It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience.

Examples:

- I have been to Ireland.
(This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in Ireland. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.)
- I have been to Ireland four times.
(You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.)
- I have never been to Ireland.
(This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to Ireland.)

- Greg has seen that movie before. (We don't know when.)
- I have never eaten caviar. (I have never had the experience of tasting caviar.)
- Darla has never ridden a horse. (Darla doesn't know what it is like to ride a horse.)

Examples of unspecified time expressions that use the present perfect include ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc. When you use specific time expressions (yesterday, last year, when I was a child, when I lived in London, etc.) you must use the simple past.

What are some of your experiences?

Do I use the present perfect or simple past?

The present perfect tense, in addition to the simple past tense, is used to speak about past events. The present perfect can be confusing for English learners because there are three instances in which we use it, so as you speak you must keep these cases in mind, and that's a lot to think about when you're trying to speak spontaneously.
Ask yourself these three questions to determine whether you need the simple past or the present perfect:


1. Has the time period finished?
(Day, week, month, year, etc.)
Yes = use the simple past.
No = use the present perfect.

2. Is it new information or old?
Old information = simple past
New information = present perfect

3. Is it a specific time?
Time is specific (yesterday, last year, ten years ago) = simple past
Time is not specific or not mentioned = present perfect


When you speak more, you will soon become familiar with what sounds good or what sounds a little strange to your ear. It takes a little conversation and speaking practice but you can do it!