This document discusses the different uses of the present perfect tense in English. It explains that the present perfect is used with "for" or "since" to describe an action that began in the past and continues in the present. It also notes that the present perfect and present perfect continuous can be used interchangeably in this context. Additionally, it outlines that the present perfect is used with words like "ever", "never", and "always" as well as for repeated past actions that may occur again in the future or actions completed very recently.

1. Review of the Present Perfect

2. (Use #1)
Use the present perfect with for or
since for an action that began in
the past and is still happening now.

3. For example:
Ms. Agard has taught at Laney
since 1997.
She has lived in California for about
thirty-five years.

4. When you use the present perfect
in this way, you can usually also
use the present perfect
continuous:

5. For example:
Ms. Agard has been teaching at
Laney since 1997.
She has been living in California for
about thirty-five years.

6. But remember that some verbs can
never be in the continuous tense:

7. For example:
She has had a dog for the past ten
years.
NOT
**She has been having a dog for the
past ten years.

8. And

9. With “for” or “since”, the present
perfect and the present perfect
continuous mean the same thing:
We have studied the past tenses since
last week
=
We have been studying the past tenses
since last week.

10. BUT

11. Without “for” or “since,” the present
perfect and preset perfect continuous have
different meanings:
We have studied the past tenses = We
studied the past tenses (at some time in
the past.)
We have been studying the past tenses (we
started studying them in the past, and we
are still studying them.)

12. (Use #2)
Use the present perfect with
ever, never and always:

13. For example:
Have you ever played baseball?
I’ve never played baseball, but
I’ve always enjoyed watching baseball
games.

14. (Use #3)
Use present perfect for an action
repeated in the past, which you
think is likely or possible again in
the future:

15. For example:
New Orleans has had many
hurricanes.
I have been to Los Angeles three
times.

16. (Use #4)
Use present perfect with “just” or
“recently” for an action that was
completed very recently:

17. For example:
I’ve just/recently had a cold.
He has just/recently gotten a new
job.