adverbs of past time

[Chinn_asama]

Hi

I have read in a grammar that you should not use adverbs of past time for present perfect.

He has gone to the city yesterday- that's wrong.
I have spoken to him already- Since already too is a adverb of past time(?), should not the verb be spoke instead of spoken?

Thanx

[Kasia@EconomistGMAT]

We often use the present perfect for past events when we are thinking of a period of time continuing up to the present - for example when we use indefinite time adverbs that mean "at some/ any time up to now", like ever, before, never, yet, already.

e.g. Have you ever seen a ghost?
I'm sure we've met before.
"Has Ben come yet?" "Yes, and he's already started to make trouble."

A number of past time adverbs can be used with both the present perfect and the past simple.
e.g. I have been working in this building for 5 years (which means I am still working in the same place).
I lived in London for 10 years (which means I don't live there anymore).