The Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect is used to talk about actions or events that started in the past but are connected to the present.
1. When Do We Use The Present Perfect?
The present perfect tense is used to talk about:
Unspecified past actions: Actions that happened at an unspecified time before now.
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- I have visited Paris.
Actions continuing into the present: Actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
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- She has lived here for 10 years.
Recent events: Events that happened recently and have a present result.
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- They have just arrived.
2. Forming The Present Perfect
Positive Sentences
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle.
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- I have finished my homework.
- He has visited New York.
For regular verbs, add -ed
- work → worked.
For irregular verbs, use the specific form
- go → gone
- eat → eaten
Negative Sentences
Structure: Subject + have/has + not + past participle
- I have not (haven’t) seen that movie.
- She has not (hasn’t) finished her work.
Questions
Structure: Have/Has + subject + past participle?
- Have you ever been to London?
- Has he finished his homework yet?
3. Common Time Expressions
Use these words with the Present Perfect:
For: Used to show a duration of time.
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- I have lived here for 5 years.
Since: Used to show the starting point.
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- She has worked here since 2010.
Just: Refers to a recent action.
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- They have just arrived.
Already: Refers to an action completed earlier than expected.
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- We have already finished.
Yet: Used in negative sentences or questions.
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- Have you finished yet?
Ever/Never: For life experiences.
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- Have you ever climbed a mountain?
3. Examples
Positive Sentences
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They have travelled to many countries.
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She has already cleaned the house.
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We have lived here since 2015.
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Negative Sentences
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I haven’t eaten lunch yet.
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He hasn’t been to the new mall.
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We haven’t met her before.
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Questions
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Have you ever tried sushi?
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Has he written the email yet?
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Have they completed their project?
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