Grammar Lessons

Present Perfect Simple

Life Experience & Achievement

The present perfect connects the past to the present — for experiences, achievements, and news that still matters now. This lesson practises it through questions about what you've done, learned, and become.

Intermediate · B1 Lesson ready

Grammar Focus

When to use it and how to form it.

When do we use the Present Perfect?

Life experiences

Things you have (or haven't) done at some unspecified time — often with ever / never.

"Have you ever lived abroad?"

Achievements

Things completed with present relevance — often with already / yet / just.

"She's just finished her degree."

Change over time

How something has changed between then and now.

"My priorities have changed a lot."

Unfinished time

With today / this week / this year — the time period isn't over yet.

"I haven't checked my emails today."

Structure

Subject + have / has + past participle

+ I/You/We/They have + p.p. / He/She has + p.p. — "I've taken up photography."

− Subject + haven't/hasn't + p.p. — "She hasn't given up yet."

? Have/Has + subject + p.p. + …? — "Have you ever moved on from a difficult experience?"

Vocabulary in Context

Six phrasal verbs that come up naturally when talking about experiences and how we've changed. Each example uses the present perfect.

take up

Meaning

To start a new hobby, activity, or interest.

Example

"I've taken up running this year — I never thought I'd enjoy it, but I do."

Conversation questions

Have you ever taken up a hobby that surprised you? What happened?
Is there something you've been meaning to take up but haven't started yet?

give up

Meaning

To stop doing or trying something — a habit, a goal, or an activity.

Example

"I've given up trying to be perfect — it was exhausting."

Conversation questions

Have you ever given up something that turned out to be the right decision?
Is there something you've tried to give up but keep returning to?

get into

Meaning

To become interested or involved in something — a topic, a scene, a habit.

Example

"I've really got into podcasts lately — I listen to them on my commute every day."

Conversation questions

What have you got into recently that you didn't expect to enjoy?
Have you ever got into something so deeply that it changed your perspective?

move on

Meaning

To leave behind a difficult situation, person, or phase of life and continue forward.

Example

"It took a while, but I've finally moved on from that job — it wasn't right for me."

Conversation questions

Have you ever found it hard to move on from something? What helped?
Is there something in your past you feel you've fully moved on from?

break through

Meaning

To overcome a barrier or achieve something despite difficulties.

Example

"She's broken through so many barriers to get where she is — it's genuinely inspiring."

Conversation questions

Have you ever had to break through a personal barrier — a fear, a habit, a mindset?
What breakthrough have you experienced that changed how you see yourself?

end up

Meaning

To arrive at a final result or situation, often unexpectedly or unintentionally.

Example

"I've ended up in a completely different career from what I studied — and I'm glad I did."

Conversation questions

Have you ended up somewhere in life that surprised you? How do you feel about it?
Is there something you started with one intention but ended up doing for a completely different reason?

Conversation Practice

Questions grouped by theme — all using the present perfect. Try to use ever, never, already, yet, just where they fit naturally.

Experiences

Have you ever lived or worked in a different country? What was the biggest adjustment?
Have you ever had an experience that completely changed how you see the world?
What's the most adventurous or unusual thing you've ever done?

Achievements & Changes

What have you achieved in the last few years that you're most proud of?
How have you changed since you were a teenager? What has stayed the same?
Have you ever broken through a fear or personal limit? What happened?

Regrets & Unfinished Things

Is there something you haven't done yet that you really want to do before you're 50?
Have you ever given up on something that you now wish you'd continued?
What's something you've started but haven't finished — and are you planning to?