Present Perfect Tense

What is Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect tense is used to describe the following two types of actions:

  • actions that occurred at an unspecified time before now, or
  • actions that began in the past and continue into the present

This tense highlights the connection between the past and the present. The exact time of the action is not specified.

There are several different ways of using present perfect tense. The following are the uses of present perfect tense:

Present Perfect Tense
Fig. 1: When to use Present Perfect Tense

1. How to use Present Perfect Tense?

1.1 When actions started in the past and continue in the present.

  • He has worked as a teacher for over nine years.

    Explanation: The speaker started working as a teacher nine years ago and continues to work there.

  • She has lived in this house for seven years.

    Explanation: She started living in the house seven years ago and continues to live there.

  • She has had the same bag for two years.

    Explanation: She has had the bag for two years and continues to have it.

1.2 When the time period referred to is not yet finished.

  • James has done good work this week.

  • They have gained a lot of fame this year.

  • She has not met her friend today.

1.3 When actions have repeated with-in an unspecified period between the past and now.

  • She has made that cake so many times.

  • They have done this activity five times already.

  • He has called his sister regularly.

  • I have stayed at this hotel many times.

1.4 When actions completed in the very recent past.

  • I've just finished my work.

    Explanation: The finishing is very recent, but the important thing is that the work is now complete.

  • The train has just arrived.

    Explanation: The arrival is recent, but the focus is on the train's presence now.

  • He's just woken up.

    Explanation: The waking up was very recent, but the focus is on his current state of being awake.

  • She's just sent the email.

    Explanation: The sending was recent, but the important thing is that the email is now on its way.

1.5 When the accurate time of the action is not important.

  • Someone has done their work.

  • Has she read 'Harry Potter'?

  • I have finished my science homework.

2. Forming Present Perfect Tense

auxiliary verb to have + past participle of a verb.

Subject + Auxiliary verb + Main verb
have, has past participle
He, She has read the book.
It has rained.
They, We, I, You have done this work.

2.1 Affirmative Sentence

  • She has eaten that cake so many times.

  • They have done their work already.

  • He has met his sister already.

  • I have stayed at this house many times.

2.2 Negative Sentence

  • She has not eaten that cake so many times.

  • They have not done their work.

  • He has not met his sister.

  • I have not stayed at this house.

2.3 Interrogative Sentence

  • Has she eaten that cake so many times?

  • Have they done their work?

  • Has he met his sister?

  • Have I stayed at this house?

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