Introduction
Structure
Formula
- Subject + have/has + past participle
Examples
- I have visited Paris.
- She has finished her homework.
- We have lived here for ten years.
Usage
1. Unspecified Time in the Past
- They have traveled to Japan.
- He has eaten breakfast already.
2. Life Experience
- I have never flown in a plane.
- She has met the president.
3. Recent Actions with Present Relevance
- The manager has just left the office.
- We have cleaned the house (it’s still clean now).
4. Situations Continuing into the Present
- They have lived in London since 2010.
- He has worked here for five years.
Keywords
- Ever: Have you ever been to Australia?
- Never: I have never seen a shooting star.
- Just: She has just finished her report.
- Already: We have already eaten dinner.
- Yet: They haven't completed the project yet.
- For: He has known her for a long time.
- Since: She has lived here since 2015.
Comparison with Simple Past
| Present Perfect | Simple Past |
|---|---|
| I have visited China. | I visited China last year. |
| She has lost her keys. | She lost her keys yesterday. |
| We have lived here for 10 years. | We lived there in 2005. |
Common Mistakes
1. Using Specific Past Time with Present Perfect
- Incorrect: I have seen that movie yesterday.
- Correct: I saw that movie yesterday.
2. Mixing Up "Have" and "Has"
- Incorrect: She have finished her work.
- Correct: She has finished her work.
3. Forgetting the Past Participle Form
- Incorrect: They have go to the park.
- Correct: They have gone to the park.
Practice
- She (visit) the museum multiple times.
- We (not finish) our project yet.
- He (break) his arm, so he can’t play today.
- They (know) each other since 2010.
- I (just/meet) the new teacher.
Practice Answers
- She has visited the museum multiple times.
- We have not finished our project yet.
- He has broken his arm, so he can’t play today.
- They have known each other since 2010.
- I have just met the new teacher.
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Present Perfect tense?
The Present Perfect tense is used to connect past events with the present, indicating actions or situations that have occurred at an unspecified time before now.
How is the Present Perfect tense formed?
The Present Perfect is formed with 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the main verb.
When do we use the Present Perfect tense?
Use the Present Perfect for actions at an unspecified time in the past, life experiences, recent actions with present relevance, and situations continuing into the present.
What is an example of the Present Perfect tense?
"I have visited Paris." This sentence shows an action that happened at some point in the past without specifying when.
Can the Present Perfect be used for ongoing situations?
Yes, it can be used for situations that started in the past and continue into the present, like "They have lived in London since 2010."
What is the difference between Present Perfect and Simple Past?
The Present Perfect is used for unspecified past actions or ongoing situations, while the Simple Past is used for actions completed at a specific time in the past.
Why can’t I use specific past times with the Present Perfect?
The Present Perfect focuses on the connection to the present, not on when the action happened, so specific past times require the Simple Past.
What are some common keywords with the Present Perfect?
Common keywords include 'ever,' 'never,' 'just,' 'already,' 'yet,' 'for,' and 'since.'
How does 'just' function in the Present Perfect?
'Just' is used to indicate that something happened very recently, as in "She has just finished her report."
What is the role of 'already' in the Present Perfect?
'Already' is used to show that something happened sooner than expected, like "We have already eaten dinner."
How is 'yet' used in the Present Perfect tense?
'Yet' is typically used in negative sentences and questions to indicate something has not happened up to now, such as "They haven’t completed the project yet."
What’s the mistake in saying 'She have finished her work'?
The correct form is 'She has finished her work' because 'has' is used with third-person singular subjects.
Why is 'I have seen that movie yesterday' incorrect?
The Present Perfect cannot be used with a specific past time like 'yesterday.' The correct sentence is 'I saw that movie yesterday.'
What’s wrong with 'They have go to the park'?
The past participle of 'go' is 'gone,' so the correct sentence is 'They have gone to the park.'
How can I identify the past participle of a verb?
Many past participles are the same as the past tense form (e.g., 'played,' 'lived'), but some are irregular (e.g., 'gone,' 'seen,' 'done').
What’s a common mistake when using the Present Perfect?
A common mistake is using a specific past time with it, like 'I have visited China last year,' which should be 'I visited China last year.'
Can I use the Present Perfect for life experiences?
Yes, it’s used to talk about experiences without specifying when they happened, such as "I have never flown in a plane."
Is 'He has worked here for five years' Present Perfect?
Yes, it indicates an ongoing situation that started in the past and continues to the present.
Why is 'have/has' important in the Present Perfect?
'Have' and 'has' are auxiliary verbs that help form the Present Perfect, showing the connection between past and present.
What’s the difference between 'for' and 'since' in the Present Perfect?
'For' is used with a duration of time (e.g., 'for five years'), while 'since' is used with a specific starting point (e.g., 'since 2010').