Present Perfect

Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
• I have been to France.
• I have been to France three times.
• I have never been to France.
• I think I have seen that movie before.
• He has never traveled by train.
• Joan has studied two foreign languages.

Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
• You have grown more mature from your year abroad.
• The travel industry has become more interested in eco-friendly tourism.
• Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.
• My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
• He has walked the Appalachian Trail.
• Our son has learned a lot from working in Africa.
• The students have finished their week of exams.

An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.
Examples:
• James has not finished his homework yet.
• Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
• Bill has still not arrived at the airport.
• The rain hasn't stopped for a week.

Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
• The army has attacked that city five times.
• I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
• We have had many major problems while working on this project.
• She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.