Present perfect

Question

Should I always use past perfect with words such as 'today', 'this month', 'this year' etc?

All I've eaten today/this month/this year is this cake.

Does simple past work as well and what's the difference? Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

If the task is completed and that is the point, then you may use present perfect:

Q: Have you done the laundry this week?
A: I did it today.

Whatchadoin · Answer

I've spent the last two weeks doing absolutely nothing. - Can I use simple past here?

I've seen her only once today. - The same question as above.

Thanks.

Mister Micawber · Answer

Yes to the first and yes to the second if the day is almost spent.

Whatchadoin · Answer

Mister Micawberif the day is almost spent.

Can I use it even if the day isn't almost spent?
_________

For a hundred and forty-five years, every single time that I have let my guard down and let Damon back into my life, he's done something to make me regret that.

Why didn't the speaker use present perfect in front of 'let'?

______________

I've bought a jacket and I've done the laundry. - Should I always use present perfect once I started a sentence with using it? As in the example I've posted.
What would be the difference if I said "I've bought a jacket and I did the laundry."?

___

One more question. Do I need to use present perfect after the word already when talking about some experience? As in:
You've already seen my skin.

Does "You already saw my skin." not sound natural?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Can I use it even if the day isn't almost spent?-- Probably not.
_______

For a hundred and forty-five years, every single time that I have let my guard down and let Damon back into my life, he's done something to make me regret that. Why didn't the speaker use present perfect in front of 'let'?-- He thinks Damon may return.
____________

I've bought a jacket and I've done the laundry. - Should I always use present perfect once I started a sentence with using it? --Probably not.

What would be the difference if I said "I've bought a jacket and I did the laundry."?-- The purchase has a different relationship with the present than the laundry does.

___
I don't wish to talk about your skin.

Whatchadoin · Answer

OK. The last question.

Do I need to use present perfect after the word 'already' when talking about some experience? As in:
You've already visited Chicago.

Does "You already visited Chicago." not sound natural?

Mister Micawber · Answer

BrE uses the present perfect with 'already' much more than AmE does, I believe.  In AmE, simple past is fine and common.

Present perfect

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