Present Perfect - 2 TOPIC 3 Accomplishments We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time. Examples: * Man has walked on the Moon. * Our son has learned how to read. * Doctors have cured many deadly diseases. * Scientists have split the atom. TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen. Examples: * James has not finished his homework yet. * Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate. * Bill has still not arrived. * The rain hasn't stopped. TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible. Examples: * The army has attacked that city five times. * I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester. * We have had many major problems while working on this project. * She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick. Time Expressions with Present Perfect When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not important. Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc. Examples: * Have you been to Mexico in the last year? * I have seen that movie six times in the last month. * They have had three tests in the last week. * She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far. * My car has broken down three times this week. NOTICE "Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect. Examples: * I went to Mexico last year. I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.