present perfect (I have done)

Denis is looking for his key. He can't find it. He has lost his key. 'He has lost his key' = He lost it and he still hasn't got it.

Have/has lost is the present perfect simple:

I / we/you/they	have (=I've etc.)	finished lost done been   etc.
he/she/it	has (=he's etc.)

The present perfect simple is have/has + past participle. The past participle often ends in -ed (finished/decided etc.), but many important verbs are irregular (lost/done/been/written etc.).

When we use the present perfect there is always connection with now. The action in the past has a result now:

• 'Where's your key?'   'I don't know. I've lost it.' (I haven't got it now)
• He told me his name but I've forgotten it. (I can't remember it now)
• 'Is Sally here?' 'No, she's gone out.' (she is out now)
• Ow! I've cut my finger.
• (from the news) The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery.

You can use the present perfect with just, recently, already and yet:

Just = 'a short time ago': 'Would you like something to eat?'   'No, thanks. I've just had lunch.' Hello. Have you just arrived? We use already to say that something happened sooner than expected: 'Don't forget to post the letter, will you?'   'I've already posted it.' 'What time is Mark living?'   'He's already gone.' Yet = 'until now' and shows that the speaker is expecting something to happen. Use yet only in questions and negative sentences: Has it stopped raining yet? I've written the letter but I haven't posted it yet.

Note the difference between gone(to) and been(to):

• Chack is away on holiday. He has gone to Spain. (=he is there now or on his way there)
• Lorry is back home from holiday now. She has been to Italy. (=she has now come back from Italy)

QUIZ:

How long Answer have you thought (you/think) that?

She Answer has put (put) the book back in its place.

They Answer haven't bought (not/buy) a new car yet.

Answer Has he ever been (He/ever/be) in London?

They Answer haven't worked (not/work) here for a very long time.

She Answer has written (write) three letters this afternoon.

Where Answer has he been (he/be)?

I Answer haven't finished (not/finish) my work yet.

Peter Answer has opened (open) a new store recently.

How often Answer has he gone (he/go) to Portland this week?