The Present Perfect Tense
WHAT IT IS AND HOW TO USE IT
BY ELLA BEN EMANUEL

In English there is more than one
way to speak about the past…….
past simple
Past
progressi
ve
Present
perfect
past
perfect

The present perfect is a way to talk about
something that happened at an indefinite time
in the past and continues in the present. This
tense is also used when an activity has an
effect on the present moment

• Actions which happened at an
indefinite (unknown) time before
now
• Actions in the past which have an
effect on the present moment
• Actions which began in the past and
continue in the present

USE 1: Indefinite (unknown) time
before now
Use the Present Perfect to talk about actions
that happened at some point in the past. It
does not matter when exactly they happened.
Examples:
I have already had a breakfast.
He has been to England.

You should not use this tense
with time expressions like
"yesterday", "a week ago", "last
year", etc.

We also use this tense to when an activity has an
effect on the present moment.
Examples:
He has finished his work. (so he can now rest)
I have already eaten dinner. (so I'm not hungry)
He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in the hospital)

We often use the Present Perfect when we
want to emphasize that an event continues in
the present.
Examples:
Mary has worked as a teacher for over 25
years.
Patrick has achieved a lot in his life.

More examples:
She has never seen my brother.
Neither of my brothers has ever
driven a truck.

How the Present Perfect is formed:
v3

OK. Let’s go over the uses
again:
USE 1: Indefinite (unknown)
time before now
Use the Present Perfect to talk about
actions that happened at some point in
the past. It does not matter when
exactly they happened.

Use 2: Effect on the Present
Moment
We also use this tense to when an activity
has an effect on the present moment.
Examples:
He has finished his work. (so he can now
rest)
I have already eaten dinner. (so I'm not
hungry)
He has had a car accident. (that's why he is in
the hospital)

Use 3:We often use the Present
Perfect when we want to emphasize
that an event continues in the present.
How can we use
the present
perfect with
this picture of
Bibi?

Which use of the present perfect in these
examples; 1,2 or 3?
• I have bought new shades!
• I have already been to Paris.
• John has been a plumber for 2 years
• Someone has just taken my bag!
• Jane has never been so angry.
• He has been our most serious partner
for so long that I can assure you he's a
very reliable man.

Answers:
• I have bought new shades use 2
• I have already been to Paris use 1
• John has been a plumber for 2 years use
3
• Someone has just taken my bag! use 1,2
• Jane has never been so angry use 3
• He has been our most serious partner
for so long that I can assure you he's a
very decent man. use 3

The negative form of the present perfect
Subject
+
e.g. I/a
dog etc.
Auxiliary
verb +
not
has
not/have
not
V3
+
e.g.
slept/taken
/gone etc.

Using negative forms of the present
perfect; examples
Examples
Use
He hasn't taken any drugs for two
years
s
I haven't met my perfect partner yet
They haven't contacted you, have
they?
(Use 3)
(Use 3)
(Use 1)