Present Perfect Simple

1. The present perfect used with just for a recently completed action
He has just gone out = He went out a few minutes ago. 
Has he just gone out? It is not normally used in the negative.
2. The present perfect used for past actions whose time is not definite
I have read the instructions but I don't understand them.
Have you had breakfast? ~ No, I haven't had it yet.
3. Recent actions in the present perfect often have results in the present
Tom has had a bad car crash. (He's probably still in hospital.) /The lift has broken down. (We have
to use the stairs.)/ I've washed the car. (It looks lovely.)/ He hasn't come yet. (so we are still
waiting for him)
4. The present perfect used for actions occurring in an incomplete period, ongoing period ( today
or this morning/ afternoon/evening/week/month/year/century etc.)
              Tom has rung up three times this morning already. /  Have you seen him today? 
5. The present perfect can be used similarly with ever, never, always, occasionally, often,
several times etc. for experiences
6. The present perfect used for an action which lasts throughout an incomplete period. The
action usually begins in the past and continues past the time of speaking in the present or
finishes at the time of speaking.
Time expressions include for, since , all day/night/week, all my etc. life, all the time, always, lately,
never, recently.
He has been in the army for two years. (He is still in the army.) I have smoked since I left school. (I
still smoke.) We have waited all day. (We are still waiting.) He has lived here all his life. (He still
lives here.) He has always worked for us. (He still works for us.) 
This room hasn't been cleaned for months, (but we are cleaning it now) It has been very cold lately
but it's just beginning to get warmer.
7. The present perfect is often used in newspapers and broadcasts to introduce an action which
will then be described in the simple past tense. The time of the action is very often given in
the second sentence:
Thirty thousand pounds' worth of jewellery has been stolen from Jonathan Wild and Company, the
jewellers. The thieves broke into the flat above some time during Sunday night and entered the
shop by cutting a hole in the ceiling.
8. The present perfect can be used here for habitual actions:
They've always answered my letters. I've never been late for work.
Sometimes these appear to be continual rather than repeated actions: Since my accident I have
written with my left hand. I've worn glasses since my childhood.
Note also sentences of this type:
This is the best wine I have ever drunk. /This is the worst book I have ever read. / This is the
easiest job I have ever had.We can use this construction, without ever, with the first, the second
etc. and the only: It/This is the first time I have seen a mounted band. It is only the second time
he has been in a canoe./This is the only book he has written.
 Further examples of the use of the present perfect and simple past

A. TOM (visiting Philip for the first time): / didn't know you lived in a houseboat.
PHILIP: I've always lived in a houseboat. I was born in one.
I thought you were still on holiday. When did you get back? ~ I came back last week.
Has your term started yet? ~ Yes, it started on Monday.
B. Note that a conversation about a past action often begins with a question and answer in the
present perfect, but normally continues in the simple past, even when no time is given. This
is because the action first mentioned has now become definite in the minds of the speakers:
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.
C. We lived there for ten years, (but we don't live there now)
D. Recent actions, even when the time is not mentioned, must be expressed by the simple past
(especially with verbs of knowing, believing and understanding):
Did you know that he was going to be married? (Have you known would not be possible) and
Hello! I didn't know you were in London. How long have you been here?
 THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

This tense is used for an action which began in the past and is still continuing: or has only
just finished:

I've been waiting for an hour and he still hasn't turned up.

I'm so sorry I'm late. Have you been waiting long? Remember that a number of verbs are not
normally used in the continuous form ( but that some of these can be used in this form in
certain cases)

We can therefore say:

Tom has been seeing about a work permit for you.

She has been having a tooth out.

I've been thinking it over.

I've been hearing all about his operation.

In addition, the verb want is often used in this tense, and wish is also possible:

Thank you so much for the binoculars. I've been wanting a pair for ages.

The present perfect continuous tense does not exist in the passive.

Comparison of the present perfect simple and continuous

A An action which began in the past and is still continuing or has only just finished can, with
certain verbs, be expressed by either the present perfect simple or the present perfect
continuous. Verbs which can be used in this way include expect, hope, learn, lie, live, look, rain,
sleep, sit, snow, stand, stay, study, teach, wait, want, work:

How long have you learnt English?

How long have you been learning English ?

He has slept for ten hours.

He has been sleeping for ten hours.

It has snowed for a long time.

It has been snowing for a long time.

В A repeated action in the simple present perfect can sometimes be expressed as a continuous
action by the present perfect continuous:

I've written six letters since breakfast.

I've been writing letters since breakfast.

(a) I've polished the car means that this job has been completed.

(b) I've been polishing the car means 'this is how I've spent the last hour'. It does not
necessarily mean that the job is completed. Note also that a single action in the present perfect
continuous continues up to the time of speaking, or nearly up to this time:

He's been taking photos (he's probably still carrying his camera) but He has taken photos. (This
action may or may not be very recent.)

D Present perfect continuous is used to express anger, irritation, and annoyance or criticism

She has been using my make-up.

Who has been using my toothbrush? =especially in questions