THE PRESENT PERFECT
 Tom is looking for his key. He can’t find it.
He has lost his key.
He has lost his key means that he lost it a short time ago and he still hasn’t got it.
 Dave: Have you travelled a lot, Nora?
Nora: Yes, I’ve been to 47 different countries.
Dave: Really? Have you ever been to China?
Nora: Yes, I’ve visited China twice.
Dave: What about India?
Nora: No, I’ve never been to India.
When we talk about a period of time that continues up to the present, we use the Present
Perfect. Nora and Dave are talking about the places Nora has visited in her life (which is
a period continuing up to the present).
 Tom: Have you heard from George?
Ann: No, he hasn’t written to me recently.
We use the Present Perfect when we talk about a period of time that continues up to
the present. Tom and Ann are talking about a period between a short time ago and now
(adverbs like recently, just, yet, today, or this week, this month, ect.). So they say
‘have you heard’ and ‘he hasn’t written’.
 IT IS NOT TRUE THAT THE PRESENT PERFECT ALWAYS TRANSLATES
ITALIAN ‘PASSATO PROSSIMO’. Ho visto il tuo cane ieri has to be translated with
:Yesterday I saw your dog and not with Yesterday I’ve seen your dog. Yesterday
indicates that the action is in the past and has no connection with the present.
 For and since (=da)
My parents have been married for 20 years. (‘quantità’ di tempo/durata)
My parents have been married since 1984. (momento in cui lo stato/l’azione è inizato)
 Been and gone
They have gone to Madrid. (=non sono ancora tornati)
They have been to Madrid. (=sono andati e tornati)
Edited by: Paola Dalla Costa
 JUST/ALREADY/YET
Have you done your homework yet? (yet= GIÁ)
Yes, I’ve just done my homework. (just=APPENA)
Yes, I’ve already done my homework. (already: GIÁ)
No, I haven’t done my homework yet. (yet=(non) ANCORA)
***Pay attention to the position of YET at the end of the sentence!
Edited by: Paola Dalla Costa