Present Perfect vs. Other Tenses

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RELEVANT LESSON:

1. Present Perfect: Present Perfect vs. Other Tenses

20 questions

Explanation

Quick Answer

The present perfect el pretérito perfecto compuestoo el antepresenteis normally used to talk about:

situations that started in the past and continue in the present

things that have recently happened

Present Perfect or Present Simple?

To talk about an action that started in the past and continues in the present, you can either use the present perfect tense with the auxiliary verb haberor the present simple in time expressions with the verbs hacerand llevar.

examples
Ha trabajado aquí durante muchos años. He’s worked here for many years.
Hace nueve años que trabaja aquí. He's worked here for nine years.
Lleva dos años trabajando aquí. He's been working here for two years.

To talk about something that was just done, we can use either the present perfect or the present simple with the construction acabar + deand an infinitive.

examples
He terminado mi novela. I’ve finished my novel.
Acabo de terminar mi tarea de español. I just finished my Spanish homework.

Present Perfect or Simple Past?

To talk about actions that happened in the recent past, you can use the present perfect or the preterite (the simple past).

The present perfect is more widely used in Spain than in Latin America.

examples
No me prepares la cena. Ya he comido. Don’t prepare supper for me. I’ve already eaten.
Eso se ve rico, pero ya comí demasiado. That looks delicious, but I already ate too much.