The rule, as people use it
The progressive, or -ing, forms show an action in the middle of happening. "I'm cooking" means right now, pan on the stove. "I was cooking when you called" means the cooking was already going on when something else cut in. Speakers also use the present -ing form for plans that are fixed: "I'm meeting Omar at six."
The perfect forms, with have plus the past participle, connect a past action to now. "I've lost my keys" doesn't tell a story about the past. It tells you something about the present: I don't have my keys. That's why the present perfect goes with words like already, yet, just, ever and never. "Have you ever been to Dubai?" "I haven't eaten yet."
The mistake to watch is mixing the present perfect with a finished time. "I've seen her yesterday" sounds wrong to American ears, because yesterday is over and closed. Once you name a finished time, switch to the past simple: "I saw her yesterday." Keep the perfect for when the time is open or not mentioned: "I've seen her a few times this week."
Examples
Tap a sentence to hear it. Say it after the voice.
Fill the gap
Type the missing words, then check. The full sentence plays when you get it.
- 1
Shh, the baby (sleep).
- 2
She (read) when the doorbell rang.
- 3
I've (already / yet) sent the email.
- 4
Have you finished your homework (already / yet)?
- 5
I (see) that movie last week.
- 6
We (know) each other since college.
- 7
Charlotte (never / be) to Tokyo.
- 8
What (you / do) at eight last night?
Practice · 3 min
Answer these five questions out loud in full sentences, then write your answers: What are you doing right now? What were you doing at nine last night? What have you done today so far? Is there a place you've never been but want to see? What haven't you done yet this week? Check that none of your present perfect sentences has a finished time word in it.
Say it today
Use it once in a real conversation before tomorrow. Out loud counts, even to yourself.