This document provides information on how to use the present perfect tense in English. It begins by showing examples of the verb form in affirmative sentences, noting that the present perfect uses "has" or "have" plus the past participle form of the verb. It then discusses three common functions of the present perfect tense: to indicate recent completion of an action, talking about past experiences, and connecting the past to the present. The document also covers negative and question forms, differences between the present perfect and simple past, and examples to practice identifying the correct tense to use.
2. Observe the verb form
He has just left the office.
Alice has just completed College education.
She has seen this film.
They have written the test.
We have worked on this software.
Have you been to Mumbai?
Has she learnt French?
Have they sent the documents?
3. Verb form of Present perfect
tense
Singular subject
has +verb
Verb should be in
simple past tense or
past participle form
Has completed
Has reported
Has eaten
Has taken
Has written
Plural subject
have + verb
Verb should be in
simple past tense or
past participle form
Have completed
Have reported
Have eaten
Have taken
Have written
4. Verb form of Present perfect
tense
Singular subject Plural subject
She has taken the
book.
He has submitted the
assignment.
Ram has eaten lunch
Reena has gone to
the library.
It has given the
output.
They have written an
email.
We have built a new
house.
Ram and his friends
have taken a
vacation.
My family and I have
become health
conscious.
The students have
gone on a field trip.
5. Functions
# 1:
Use the present perfect tense to denote an action that
has just been completed. You can still see or feel the
results of the action.
He has just eaten lunch.
She has just woken up.
We have just left the office.
They have just driven past the Railway station.
The college has just begun.
The meeting has just concluded.
I have just completed the testing.
6. Functions
#2:
Use the present perfect tense to talk about an
experience in the past.
He has acted in a film.
She has spoken on Television.
I have seen The Taj Mahal.
We have been to Kashmir.
They have played IPL matches.
Ram has worked in London.
7. Functions
#3:
Present perfect tense connects the past with the present.
Therefore can be used to denote the following:
Knowledge
Work experience
Duration of an action
Example:
I have known Ram since 2000.
I have worked in thus company for 5 years.
She has lived in Lucknow fpr 10 years.
We have studied English for 10 years.
Reena has worked hard for 15 years for this company.
8. Sentence patterns
Positive statements:
She has cooked a tasty meal.
He has learnt Java.
They have discussed the issue.
They have worked on the issue for 5 hours.
Ram has visited New York.
Reena and her family have lived in Chennai for 5
years.
We have just completed the upload.
The students have just walked into the library.
9. Negative statements
She has not seen this movie.
He has not worked in this company.
We have not completed the upload.
They have not submitted the design.
Ram has not applied for the job.
Reena has not spoken to me about her holiday
plans.
I have not read the book on space.
10. Questions
Has he submitted the documents?
Has he called tyou?
Has Ram been to Seattle?
Have you spoken to the client?
Have they begun the project?
With “ever’
Have you ever acted in a film?
Have you ever played hockey?
11. Difference between present perfect
and simple past tense
Simple past tense Present perfect tense
I read this book last year.
( an event that tookplace in
the past)
I lived in Hyderabad for 3
years.
(This means you lived in
Hyderabad for three years
and then moved. You don’t
live there any longer)
I worked in ABC company
for 2 years.
I have read this book.
(you have had the
experience of reading this
book)
I have lived in Hyderabad
for the past 3 years.
(You came to Hyderabad
three years ago and you
are still living in
Hyderabad. Connects
past and present)
I have worked in ABC
company for the past 2
years.
12. Have + had ?
I have had lunch.
He has had dinner.
They have had the experience of seeing the Taj
Mahal in the moonlight.
Ram has not had meat for 3 years.
13. Fill in the blanks with present perfect tense
form of the verbs given in the brackets…
1. We ___________________ a gift to our
grandmother. (send)
2. The teacher ___________ us Present perfect
tense. ( teach)
3. WordBags _________ a Powerpoint presentation
on Tenses. (present)
4. They _______ all the World cup matches. (
watch)
5. He __________ an exciting story. ( write)
6. She _________ just ______ a plum cake. (bake)
7. The children _______ just ______ home. (reach)
14. Match the sentences
A. The teams
B. Ram
C. The school
D. The clouds
E. They
F. We
G. He
H. I
have reworked on the
design
has begun the project
have scattered the rain.
have worked together for
5 years.
have seen Harry Potter
and the Dark Lord
have gone to the park
several times.
has just returned from
London.
15. Simple past or present perfect?
I ___________ in a hostel last year. (stay)
She ___________ in a hostel for 4 years.(stay)
They __________ the forms yesterday. (give)
We _______ just ______ the forms to the manager.
(give)
Ram ________ collected all the Iron Man movies.
(watch)
Ram ___________ Iron Man II last night. ( watch)
I _____ dinner at 8o’clock. (eat)
I ______ just _____ dinner. (eat)
16. Thank you…
Hope this presentation helped you to use the present
perfect tense perfectly.
Please avoid errors:
He has did the job. – done
She have went to Ooty. - She has gone to Ooty.
They know my father for several years. – They have
known my father for several years.
Please do leave your comments.
You can reach me at
rajee_viswa2003@yahoo.com