1. To describe an activity that started in the past and still continues.

• We have lived in London for 20 years.
• Paul has worked here since 1995.

2. A past action with a current result or effect.

An action that started and finished in the past but the result of the action can still be seen in the present.

• I have lost my textbook.
• I lost my textbook.

Pokud ve větě použijeme příslovce času, které označuje období, který stále trvá, nelze v této větě použít minulý čas. Je nutné použít předpřítomný čas. Příklady těchto příslovcí jsou: "today" (dnes), "this week" (tento týden).

• I bought a new computer today. Špatně
• I’ve bought a new computer today. Správně

3. An unspecific time in the past

To describe an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.

• I have eaten breakfast.

4. You can use the Present Perfect to describe an experience.

The present perfect can be used to describe an experience. It is not important when the it happened.The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event in the past. Předpřítomný čas se nepoužívá při popisu specifické události.

• I have been to Scotland. (This sentence means that you have the experience of being to Scotland . Maybe you have been once, or several times.)
• I have been to Scotland three times. (You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.)
• I have seen that film 3 times.
• I have never been to Scotland.(This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to Scotland.)
• I think I have met her before.