Remember! There are 2 primary reasons to use the Present Perfect Tense.

Reason #1 To talk about a completed past action at a non-specific time. The action is finished. You dont know, care or remember when it happened.

Present Perfect Tense The Rest of the Story

For example:

Ive read that book before.

Shes already done her homework. Reason #2

With the words for and since to talk about something that began in the past and continues to now.
For example: Ive studied at this school since last June. Shes lived in West Palm Beach for 2 months.

When we use the Present Perfect with for or since it gives the idea that something began in the past and continues into the present (and may continue into the future.) SINCE + POINT IN TIME
Use the present perfect with since + point in time (since 5:00, since Monday, since 1994) to show when something started. Ive worked at this job since last year.

Hes lived in Florida since March.

Theyve been married since 1985.

FOR + LENGTH OF TIME Use the Present perfect with for + length of time (for ten minutes, for two weeks, for years, for a long time) to show how long a present condition has lasted.

Ive worked at this job for one year. Hes lived in Florida for 9 months. Theyve been married for a long time.

SINCE can also introduce a time clause.

OK..So whats a time clause?

Take a look at the following examples: Ive lived in Lake Worth since I moved to Florida.
When the action in the time clause ended in the past, use the simple past tense in the time clause.

(moved to Florida is overit happenedit is finished.)

Ive studied at the AEC since Ive lived in Florida. When the action in the time clause began in the past but continues into the present, use the present perfect. (I still live in Florida.)

So How do we ask questions using this tense?

When we want to know the length of time something has taken place we use the question words HOW LONG.

How long have you lived in West Palm Beach? Ive lived here for 2 years.
How long has she studied English at the AEC? Shes studied at the AEC since 2005.

Wake up! Back to Reason #1 (completed past action at a non-specific time) We often use the Present Perfect with already to talk about things that have happened before now. Ive already eaten breakfast. Shes already read that book. Youre too late. Hes already left for school. Hes left for school already. Already usually comes between have and the past participle. However, it can also come at the end of the clause. Take a look above.

Use the present perfect with not yet to talk about things that have not happened before now.
Were hungry. We havent eaten lunch yet. Sure Ill go with you. I havent seen that movie yet. Weve waited for an hour, but they havent arrived yet. They havent yet arrived. (This is OK.)

Notice that yet usually comes at the end of the clause. However, it can also come between the have not and the past participle.

We usually use yet in questions to find out if something has happened before now.
Have you bought your mother a present yet? Has she seen that movie yet? Have they left for school yet?

Sometimes we use already in a question to express surprise that something happened sooner than expected. Have you already bought your mother a present? I didnt know you had a chance to go shopping. Have they already left for school? Its so early.

Any Questions?
No?

OK Lets Practice!