The present perfect can be used with for, all + time references: all

D) it is - period + since + past or perfect tense

Note!

If two parallel actions began at the same time in the past and continue into the present, the Present Perfect is used in both clauses,

I've loved you since I've known you.

Compare:

He has been reading since he came.

He has been reading since he has been working in the library.

In the second example both actions began at the same time in the past and continue into the moment of speaking.

It is three years since I (last) saw Bill

or It is three years since I have seen Bill

or I last saw Bill three years ago

or / haven't seen Bill for three years.

It is two years since he left the country.

This, however, is replaceable only by: He left the country two years ago.

Note! This construction can be used in the past:

He invited me to go riding with him. But it was two years since I had ridden a horse.

day/night/week, these three years, etc. when we talk about how long an existing situation has lasted:

Compare:

Не has b ееn in the army for two years (Не is still in the army).

He was in the army for two years. (He is not in the army now).

We have lived in London for ten years, (and still live there)

We lived there for ten years, (but we don't live there now)

So, if the period of duration belongs to the past time, the Past Indefinite should be used:

She looked at him for a long time and then shrugged.

We marched all night and all today. We arrived only an hour ago.

Note:

for can sometimes be omitted, especially after be, live and wait:

We've been here an hour/two days.

8 The present perfect is used in questions/answers such as:

How long have you been here? - I've been here six months

They will normally be followed by general inquiries in the present perfect about actions occurring within the period mentioned, because the action of staying, being etc., is not yet finished:

Have you been to the zoo/the theatre/the museums?

Have you found a job/met many people?

The answers will be in the same tense if no time is mentioned, otherwise they will be in the simple past tense:

Yes, I have (been to the zoo etc.) or Yes, I went there last week.

Note the following examples:

"Are you married?" "Yes." "How long have you been married?"

"Are you married?" "No. I'm divorced." "How long were you married?"

Have уоu bееn to Spain? - Yes, I have. - How long did уоu stay there?(You are not in Spain now)

Where have you been? - I've been to the cinema. - What did you see?/What was the film? - (I saw) 'Amadeus'. -Did you like it?

HUSBAND: Where have you been?

WIFE: I've been at the sales.

HUSBAND: What have you bought?/What did you buy?

WIFE: / have bought/I bought you some yellow pyjamas.

HUSBAND: Why did you buy yellow? I hate yellow.:

9 Note also structures: This is the first time… It is the first/ second/ the only etc.:

This is the best wine I have ever drunk.

This is the worst book I have ever read.

It is only the second time he has been in the canoe.

This is the only book he has written

10 Recent actions with the verbs of knowing, believing and understanding (except tо think, tо wonder) cannot be used in the present perfect except as it is shown in the examples:

I’ve known him for a long time.

We have always believed that this is impossible.

I have sometimes thought that I should have emigrated.

I have often wondered why he didn't marry her.

So, recent action must be expressed by the simple past:

Did уоu know that he was going tо get married?

Неllo! I didn't know уоu were in London. How long have уоu bееn there?

11 Present Perfect can be used to express a future action after the conjunctions when, before, after, as soon as, till and until. It shows that the action of the subordinate clause will be accomplished before the action of the principal clause

As soon as we have had some tea, Ann, we’ll go to inspect your house.

I'll take you back in my car but not till I've made you some coffee.

Sometimes the Present Indefinite is found in this type of clauses in the same meaning. The choice of the form depends on the lexical meaning of the verb. With durative verbs the Present Perfect is necessary:

When you have had your tea, we'll see about it.

With terminative verbs the use of both forms is possible,

He says when he retires he'll grow roses.

Mother will stay at home until we return.

12 With comment/ report verbs or phrases (guess, reckon, suppose, imagine etc.):

Do you suppose they have forgotten about the meeting?

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