Understanding the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and have a connection to the present. It is also used to describe actions that started in the past and are still continuing.

1. Structure of the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is formed using the verb "have" (have/has) + the past participle of the main verb.

Formula:
Subject + have/has + past participle

• I have eaten.

• She has finished her homework.

• They have lived here for 5 years.

Affirmative:
Subject + have/has + past participle

• I have seen that movie.

• She has visited London.

• We have worked hard.

Negative:
Subject + have/has + not + past participle

• I have not (haven't) eaten lunch.

• He has not (hasn't) finished his work.

• They have not (haven't) been to the museum.

Question:
Have/Has + subject + past participle?

• Have you eaten yet?

• Has she finished her homework?

• Have they seen the movie?

2. When to Use the Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is used in the following situations:

a) Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past

• Example: I have visited Paris.

• The exact time is not important or not mentioned.

b) Actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present

• Example: She has lived here for 10 years.

• The action began in the past and continues to the present.

c) Experiences or achievements

• Example: They have seen the movie before.

• It focuses on the experience rather than when it happened.

d) Actions that have an impact on the present moment

• Example: I have lost my keys.

• The result is relevant now (you can’t find the keys).

3. Examples of the Present Perfect Tense

• I have finished my homework.
  (The action is complete and has an effect on the present.)

• She has just arrived at the party.
  (The action happened recently, and the result is important.)

• They have visited several countries.
  (They have the experience of visiting countries, but the exact time is not specified.)

• We have worked together for 5 years.
  (The action started in the past and continues in the present.)

• He has already eaten.
  (The action happened at an unspecified time, and it has an effect now.)

4. Time Expressions Commonly Used with the Present Perfect Tense

• For (used to express the duration of time)

  • I have known her for 10 years.

• Since (used to express the starting point of time)

  • She has worked here since 2010.

• Just (used for actions that happened recently)

  • I have just finished my lunch.

• Already (used for actions that have been completed earlier than expected)

  • He has already left the office.

• Yet (used in negative sentences and questions, meaning by this time)

  • Has he called yet?

  • I haven't finished my homework yet.

• Ever (used to refer to any time up to now)

  • Have you ever been to Japan?

• Never (used for actions that have not happened up to now)

  • I have never been to Paris.

• Lately / Recently (used for actions that have happened recently)

  • I have been feeling tired lately.

5. Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb in the present perfect tense.

1. She ________ (see) that movie already.

2. We ________ (live) here for three years.

3. I ________ (not finish) my lunch yet.

4. They ________ (travel) to many countries.

5. He ________ (just arrive) at the airport.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct sentence.

1. a) I have visit that museum before.
   b) I have visited that museum before.

2. a) She has never go to the beach.
   b) She has never gone to the beach.

3. a) We have known each other since 2010.
   b) We known each other since 2010.

4. a) They have already completed their homework.
   b) They already have completed their homework.

5. a) I haven’t seen him yet.
   b) I not seen him yet.

Exercise 3: Write questions using the present perfect tense.

1. (you, ever, be) to Italy?

2. (she, finish) her homework yet?

3. (they, visit) the new restaurant?

4. (we, meet) the new manager yet?

5. (he, work) here for a long time?