Grammar basics
Present perfect
Use the present perfect for a past action that is still important now. The exact time is not important.
Structure
| Sentence | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + have/has + V3 | I have finished my homework. |
| Negative | Subject + have/has + not + V3 | She hasn't finished her homework. |
| Question | Have/Has + subject + V3? | Have you finished your homework? |
Use has with he, she and it. In speech, people use short forms: I've, she's, haven't, hasn't.
When to use
Life experiences (at any time in your life)
I have visited Japan twice.
A past action with a result now
I've lost my keys. I can't open the door.
Something that started in the past and is still true
I've lived in Bangkok for ten years.
Present perfect or past simple?
If you say when it happened (yesterday, last week, in 2020), use the past simple.
- I have finished the app. (The time is not important.)
- I finished the app yesterday. (You say the time.)
I have finished the app yesterday is wrong.
Thai speakers: แล้ว and เคย
ฉันทำงานเสร็จแล้ว = I**'ve finished** my work. คุณเคยไปญี่ปุ่นไหม = Have you ever been to Japan?
Time words
These words often go with the present perfect. Learn just and never too: I've just finished, I've never been there.
Already
Before now, sooner than someone expected.
I've already pushed my code to GitHub.
Yet
Until now. Use it at the end of questions and negative sentences.
Have you fixed the bug yet? No, not yet.
Ever
At any time in your life. Use it in questions.
Have you ever eaten durian?