Express Yourself: Talk about experiences

Talk about your life experiences naturally with the present perfect.

Form

Meaning

Examples

Speaking Tips

Practice

PRESENT PERFECT FORM

EXAMPLE & EXPLANATION

I have eaten (I've eaten) sushi. 🍣

=

Sometime in my life (from the time I was born, until this moment), I ate sushi and I had that experience.

• Do you know when I ate sushi? No.

• Do we care about the specific time when it happened? No. (It's not important)

MORE EXAMPLES

Talk about your travel experiences. 🧳🚃✈️🗿

TIPS 👀🔍🧐

1. Use the present perfect to talk about your experience and then give details about your experience with the past simple (exact time, place etc.)

Example:

present perfect = general experience

past simple = details

I've been to Mongolia before, it was great! I went in 2011 with a few friends. We rode horses in the mountains and camped in beautiful forrests!

2. Use have been to or have gone to for places you have visited.

Example:

• Have you been to Africa?

• Have you visited Africa?

• Have you gone to Africa?

Yes, I have. I went in South Africa in 2020.

talking about visiting places =

have been to

have gone to

PRACTICE

A) Practice the present perfect form

B) Practice using the present perfect to talk about experiences.

Remember use past simple for details.