What places have you visited with family and friends since you were a child? What did you like most about these places?

Since Lina arrived in France last month, everything has felt completely different. She has never seen streets so crowded, and she’s never heard so many languages at once. At first, she felt overwhelmed and lonely, but since she arrived, she has tried many things to adjust. For example, she joined a local language class three weeks ago, and she has spoken with other students all of the time since that first day. She’s practiced French in the market and on the bus. At first, she made many mistakes, but she’s learned to laugh at them.

Since her arrival, Lina has visited museums and parks to feel more comfortable in the city. She’s met neighbors who have welcomed her warmly, and she’s discovered favorite cafés and quiet streets where she has felt at home.

Since those early days in the country, Lina has realized that the shock she first experienced has already changed into excitement and curiosity. She’s grown more confident every week, and she’s begun to love her new life abroad.

We use the present perfect (have/has + past participle) to talk about things that started in the past and continue to now, or past experiences at an unknown time. This tense connects the past to the present.

Form:

• Use have with I, you, we, they
• Use has with he, she, it
• Use a past participle (e.g., gone, eaten, visited)

The present perfect is often used with words like: ever, never, just, already, yet, since, and for.

Examples:

• “I have visited New York three times.”
• “She has never eaten sushi.”
• “They have lived here since 2020.”
• “We have just finished dinner.”

The present perfect is useful in everyday conversations where you talk about experiences, news, and recent actions. It helps you understand what someone has done and respond naturally.

Real-life situations include:

• Talking about experiences:
  • “Have you ever been to Los Angeles?”
  • “Yes, I’ve visited twice.” (“I’ve” → “I have”)
• Giving recent updates:
  • “He has just finished his homework.”
  • “I’ve already seen that movie.”
• Describing changes or achievements:
  • “She has improved a lot in English.”
  • “We’ve learned so much this week!”
• Listening for cues in conversation:
  • “They’ve never tried Thai food.” → (Now you can recommend something!)

Understanding this tense helps you ask better questions and give meaningful replies in daily life.

Now, practice your language skills with this interactive game.

These questions help you share about your life and hear others’ stories. Use “I have…” or “He/She has…” in your answers.

1. Share Travel or Activities:
   
   • Have you ever visited another country or a famous place?
     ➤ For example: “I have been to Canada.”
     ➤ For example: “I have seen the Statue of Liberty.”
2. Try New Things:
   
   • What is something new you have tried this year?
     ➤ For example: “I have learned to cook.”
     ➤ For example: “I have tried rock climbing.”
3. Talk About Your Studies or Work:
   
   • What have you studied or done at school/work recently?
     ➤ For example: “I have studied English since January.”
4. Talk About Food:
   
   • What interesting foods have you eaten?
     ➤ For example: “I have eaten sushi, but I haven’t tried Indian food.”
5. Ask Others:
   
   • Choose a friend or teacher. What has he or she done that surprised you?
     ➤ For example: “She has learned three languages.”
6. Time Words Practice:
   
   • What have you already done today? What have you not done yet?
     ➤ For example: “I have already eaten breakfast. I haven’t done my homework yet.”