Present perfect

The present perfect tense has two main elements. It is formed from (a) the present tense of the verb have and (b) the past participle (III form) of the main verb. [this often ends in -ed: searched, asked, but many important verbs are irregular: lost, found, dug]

We use the present perfect to talk about something in the past that in some way connects with the present. Like:

• for something that started in the past and continues in the present:

They've been digging that hole for nearly four hours.
He has studied archaeology all of his life.

• to write or talk about our experience up to the present:

I've seen that You Tube video before.
I've used that brand of metal detector ever since I was a teenager.
He has written three books and he is working on another one.

We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience up to the present:

My last visit to the museum was the worst day I have ever had.

[if you see/use words like just, ever, already etc., you will need to use the present perfect]

For the negative form we use never:

Have you ever met Prince Philip?
Yes, but I've never met his wife.