subject + have/has + past participle + time expressionChoose a time expression that still connects the action to now.
Present Perfect Time Expressions
B1Use Present Perfect with time expressions linked to now: recently, lately, so far, today, and this week when the time period is still open.
What you'll learn
- Use recently and lately for recent time connected to now.
- Use so far for results up to this moment.
- Use Present Perfect with today or this week if the period is still open.
- Switch to Past Simple when the time is finished.
- Recognize markers that point to Present Perfect.
Structure
Build a sentence
Time expression
Subject
Verb
Shehasfinishedher reporttoday
She has finished her report today.
Use Present Perfect when today is not over yet.
When to use
Recent news
Use recently or lately for new information near now. Anna has started a new job recently.
Results until now
Use so far to show progress up to this moment. So far, we have sold 120 tickets.
Open time period
Use Present Perfect with today, this week, this month, or this year if that period still includes now.
Markers
recentlylatelyso fartodaythis weekthis monththis year
In contrast
vs present-perfect-vs-past-simple
Present Perfect works with unfinished time connected to now. If the time is finished, use Past Simple instead.
Common mistakes
Wrong
I saw Maria recently.
Correct
I have seen Maria recently.
Recently connects the past action to now, so Present Perfect fits here.
Wrong
So far, we finished three chapters.
Correct
So far, we have finished three chapters.
So far means up to this point, so the result is still linked to now.
Wrong
I wrote three emails today.
Correct
I have written three emails today.
If today is still not finished, use Present Perfect.
Wrong
I have seen Tom yesterday.
Correct
I saw Tom yesterday.
Yesterday is a finished time, so Present Perfect does not work with it.
Common misconceptions
❝ Today always takes Past Simple because it names a time. ❞
Today can take Present Perfect when the day is still in progress and the time period includes now.
❝ Recently means one exact finished moment. ❞
Recently refers to a near period before now, not one exact finished point on the timeline.
Skills in this rule (5)
USE_RECENTLY_LATELYw4Use recently and lately with Present Perfect for recent time up to now
Use recently and lately when the action happened in the near past and the time period connects to now. They often answer the idea of what has happened in the last days or weeks.
USE_SO_FARw5Use so far for results up to this point
Use so far when you count, describe, or evaluate what has happened until now. It highlights the current result, not a finished past time.
USE_UNFINISHED_TODAY_THIS_WEEKw5Use Present Perfect with today, this week, this month, and this year when the time period is still open
Use Present Perfect if today, this week, this month, or this year has not finished at the moment of speaking. The period includes now.
CHOOSE_PAST_SIMPLE_FOR_FINISHED_TIMEw5Choose Past Simple when the time period is finished
Use Past Simple with finished time markers such as yesterday, last week, or in 2023. Do not use Present Perfect when the time is clearly closed.
PICK_TIME_MARKERSw3Recognize time markers that fit Present Perfect
Notice markers like recently, lately, so far, today, this week, this month, and this year when the period is still connected to now.