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PRESENT PERFECT

Used in two main ways

1. To talk about things which happened in the past, where the time is not mentioned

e.g. I have eaten octopus several times

      I have never been to Egypt.

      He has seen the film 'Captain Corelli's Mandolin'

The following words are often used with the Present Perfect when we are talking about the past

yet     just       already

e.g. I have just spoken to Mr. Smith.

      I have already eaten my lunch.

     He hasn't learned this grammar yet

2. To describe things which began sometime ago but are still happening.

e.g. I have been a teacher for twenty years.

     He has worked for the Military since he was 17.

     We have been close friends since we met in 1988.

Notice the use of 'for' and 'since' For more information and practice with this tense, look at Essential Grammar in Use: pages 14 to 29