A. Study this example conversation:
- DaVE: Have you travelled a lot, Jane?
- JaNE: Yes, I’ve been to lots of places.
- DaVE: Really? Have you ever been to China?
- JaNE: Yes, I’ve been to China twice.
- DaVE: What about India?
- JaNE: No, I haven’t been to India.
When we talk about a period of time that continues from the past until now, we use the present perfect (have been / have travelled etc.). Here, Dave and Jane are talking about the places Jane has visited in her life, which is a period that continues until now
In the same way we say:
- Have you ever eaten caviar?
- We’ve never had a car.
- I don’t know what the film is about. I haven’t seen it.
- Susan really loves that book. She’s read it three times. (She’s = She has)
- It’s a really boring movie. It’s the most boring movie I’ve ever seen.
been (to) = visited:
- I’ve never been to Canada. Have you been there?
B. In the following examples too, the speakers are talking about a period that continues until now (recently, in the last few days, so far, since I arrived etc.):
- Have you heard anything from Ben recently?
- I’ve met a lot of people in the last few days.
- Everything is going well. There haven’t been any problems so far.
- The weather is bad here. It’s (= It has) rained every day since I arrived. (= from when I arrived until now)
- It’s good to see you again. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.
In the same way we use the present perfect with today, this evening, this year etc. when these periods are not finished at the time of speaking:
- I’ve drunk four cups of coff ee today.
- Have you had a holiday this year?
- I haven’t seen Tom this morning. Have you?
C. We say ‘It’s the (first) time something has happened’. For example:
Don is having a driving lesson. It’s his first lesson. We can say:
- It’s the first time he has driven a car. (not drives)
or He hasn’t driven a car before.
or He has never driven a car before.
In the same way we say:
- Sarah has lost her passport again. This is the second time this has happened. (not happens)
- Andy is phoning his girlfriend again. It’s the third time he’s phoned her this evening
