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The Present Perfect means start learning
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"past-time-related-to-present-time"
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He was in prison for ten years. (= Now he's out) start learning
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He has been in prison for ten years. (=He's still there)
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That house has been empty for ages. (A) STATE LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT start learning
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Have you (ever) been to Florence? (B) INDEFINITE EVENT(S) IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT TIME start learning
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Have you ever been to Florence?
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All my family have had measles. (B) INDEFINITE EVENT(S) IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT TIME start learning
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He has attended lectures regularly. (C) HABIT IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT TIME start learning
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(C) HABIT IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT TIME start learning
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Her doll has been broken. (C) HABIT IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT TIME start learning
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(ie "it's still not mended")
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start learning
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There is a special problem of past-time reference in English: start learning
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The question of how to choose between the use of the past tense and the use the perfect aspect.
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The Past Tense is used when the past happening is related to a definite time in the past, which we may call "THEN". start learning
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In contrast, the PERFECT ASPECT is used for a past happening which is seen in relation to a later event or time.
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Have you eaten (yet)? I've studied your report (already). start learning
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The present perfect often refers to the recent indefinite past.
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Some adverbials go with the past start learning
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and others with the present perfect
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THE PAST (point or period of time [which finished] in the past) start learning
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I saw him yesterday (evening), last night, last Monday, a week ago, a month ago, in the morning, on Wednesday, in June, in 1974, at four o'clock, the other day.
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THE PRESENT PERFECT (period leading up to present, or recent past time) start learning
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I haven't seen him since Tuesday, last week, since I met you, so far, up to now, lately.
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start learning
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I saw him today, this week, month, year, recently. He always/never forgot my wife's birthday.
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start learning
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I have seen him today, this week, month, year, recently. He's always/never forgotten my wife's birthday.
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