"I live here since five years." "I have seen her yesterday." These are some of the most common mistakes in English, and they come from direct translation. Many languages use the present tense for something that started in the past and continues now, or use a "have" form with a finished time like "yesterday." English splits these jobs differently. On top of that, Americans often use the simple past where textbooks teach the present perfect: "Did you eat yet?" In this episode you learn the present perfect the way Americans really use it at home. In this episode: • What the present perfect does • Have you ever...? • For and since: how long • Already, yet, just: the american way • Scene: before the guests arrive • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: I've lost my phone — I lost it, and I still can't find it She's cleaned the kitchen — it is clean now We've already eaten — we are not hungry now Have you ever made bread? — at any time in your life I've never been camping — not one time Have you ever been to the ocean? — visited I've been to Grandma's new house — I went and came back She's gone to the store — she is there now, not back yet I've lived here for five years — a length of time I've lived here since 2020 — a starting point We've had this couch since I was a kid — the start was my childhood How long have you known Mrs. Lee? — asking about the length It's been ages! — it has been a long time (casual) Did you eat yet? — have you eaten yet? (casual American) I already did it — I've already done it (casual American) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.