Present Perfect (2) (I have done)

A

Hong : Have you traveled a lot, Kim?

Kim : Yes, I have been to lots of places.

Hong : Really? Have you ever been to China?

Kim : Yes, I have been to China twice.

Hong : What about USA?

Kim : No, I haven’t been to USA yet.

When you talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been / have traveled, etc). Here, Hong and Kim are talking about the places Kim has visited in her life (which is a period that continues until now).

Such as :

Have you ever eaten dog soup? (in your life)
We have never had a car.
“Have you read Hamlet?” “No, I haven’t read any of Shakespeare’plays.”
Susa really loves that movie. She has seen it eight times!
What a boring movie! It’s the most boring movie I have ever seen.

Been(to) visited :

I have never been to London. Have you been there?

Here are more examples of speakers talking about a period that continues until now (recently/ in the last few days / so far / since breakfast, etc) :

Have you heard from Braina recently?
I have met a lot of people in the last few days.
Everything is going well. We haven’t had any problems so far.
I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything since. Breakfast. (from breakfast until now)
It’s nice to see you again. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.

PAST

RECENTLY

NOW

IN THE LAST FEW DAYS

SINCE BREAKFAST

B

We use the present perfect with today/ this morning / this evening, etc., when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking :

I have drunk four cups of coffee today.
Have you had a vacation this year?
I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you?

C

We say, “It is the first time something has happened” (present perfect)

Such as :

Kim is taking a driving lesson. It’s her first time one. It is the first time she has driven a car.
She has never driven a car before.
Sarah has lost her passport again. It’s the second time this has happened.
Eric is calling his girlfriend again. This is the third time he has called her tonight.