The Present Perfect (1)
I have done

Consider this example:

• Tom is looking for his key. He cannot find it.

He has lost his key.

Have/has lost is the present perfect simple.

The present perfect simple is have/has + the past participle. The past participle often ends with +ed (finished, decided, etc.), but as we have already seen, many important verbs are irregular (lost / done / been / written etc.).

I/we/they/you have (I've, etc.)             finished

he/she/it has (he's, etc.)                        lost

                                                                  done

                                                                  been, etc.

When we use the present perfect there is always a connection with now. The action in the past continues to have a bearing now.

• Where's your key? I don't know. I've lost it. (=It is still lost. I don't have it now.)
• He told me his name, but I've forgotten it. (= I cannot remember it now.)
• Is Sally here? No, she's gone out. (=She is still out.)
• I can't find my bag. Have you seen it? (=Do you know where it is, now?)

A common use of the present perfect is to give new information or to announce a recent happening.

• Ow! I've cut my finger. (=it is still cut)
• The road is closed. There's been an accident. (=the car is still in the road)
• The police have arrested two men in connection with the robbery. (=the men remain in custody)

You can also use the present perfect with just, already and yet.

Just = a short time ago

• Would you like something to eat? No thanks, I've just had lunch.
• Hello! Have you just arrived?

We use already to say that something has happened sooner than expected.

• Don't forget to post my letter, will you? I've already posted it.
• What time is Mark leaving? He's already gone.

Yet = until now. It is used to show that the speaker is expecting something to happen. We only use yet in questions and negative statements.

• Has it stopped raining yet?
• Has John's flight landed yet?
• I've written the letter, but I've not posted it yet.

You should note the important difference between gone (to) and been (to).

• Jim is away on holiday. He's gone to Spain. (= he is still in Spain)
• Jane is back home from her holiday now. She's been to Italy. (=she's back home now)