Present Perfect

01355112 Foundation English II

Getting to Know the Perfect Tense James Smith was born in England. He is English.

He moved to Thailand in 2007. Now, he lives near

Sukhumvit Road and works as a part-time

English teacher at Bangkok Prep International

School.

Therefore, James Smith has lived in Bangkok

for seven years.

There is always a connection with the past and with the present. We normally use present perfect tense to talk about:

• experiences• an event/ situation which started in the past and

continues up to now

When should we use the Present Perfect tense?

I have had a cold for two weeks.

She has been in England for six months.

Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

Have/ Has + Past Participle (V3)

Form of Present Perfect

What is a Past Participle?

For regular past tense verbs = the –ed form:

liked, walked, worked, talked

For irregular past verbs = memorize:

been, seen, had, eaten, shown, written

Present Perfect FormsAffirmative Negative QuestionI have travelled to America.

They have drunk coffee since 10.00.

She has slept since last night.

I have not travelled to America.

They have not drunk coffee since 10.00.

She has not slept since last night.

Have you ever travelled to America?

Have they drunk coffee since 10.00?

Has she slept since last night?

Americans do not use the present perfect tense as much as British speakers do. The Americans often use the past tense instead. An American might say "Did you have lunch?", while a British person would say "Have you had lunch?"

Use1: Present Perfect Tense for Experiences We often use the present perfect tense to talk about experience from the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to know if you have done and have experienced it. TIP!! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.

Have you ever seen Twilight?I have been to Australia.

We have never eaten caviar.

Past Present Future

The action or state happened in the past.

In my head, now…I have a memory of the event. I know something about the event.I have experienced it.

We often use the present perfect tense to talk about a event that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue into the future). This is a state (not an action!!). Tip!! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.

I have worked here since June.He has been ill for 2 days.

I have known Tara for a year.

Past Present Future ---I--------------------------------------------------I The situation started in the past.

It continues up to now. (It will probably continue into the future.)

Use 2: Present Perfect for Continuing Event

Key Words for Present Perfect

Already = (adv.) before now

I have already finished my homework.

Not yet = (adv.) not before now

Scientists have not yet discovered a cure.

Since and for

Since + specific point in the past when the action started

For + duration, length of time

Key Words for Present Perfect

Ever = (adv.) at any time, including the present

** Used only in questions

Have you ever ridden a horse?

Before = at some time in the past behind the present time

I have been to Las Vegas before.

Several times, many times, a few times, a couple of times, a lot of times = for indefinite or repeated past actions

Reminder about Adverb Placement

With two verbs (auxiliary and main verb), place the adverb between them

I have already finished my homework.

Present Perfect VS

Past Simple

Remember!

Grammar has meaning!

Different grammar tenses are used in different

situations or contexts and they carry different

meanings.

For example . . .

Use the Simple Past for action that happened in the past and is ...

finished!

Use the Present Perfect for action that started in the past, but ...

is still true today.

The Simple Past always refers to an action or situation that is finished.

The Present Perfect connects the past and the present. It is used to show that an action or situation in the past that ...

- continues today, OR

- might happen again

Compare the meaning of these two sentences:

1. Sara lived in Boston for 5 years.

2. Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.

The first sentence uses: Past Simple

The second sentence uses: Present Perfect

Past SimplePresent Perfect

Sara lived in Boston for 5 years.

Meaning: Sara started living in Boston 5 years ago . . . AND . . . then she moved!

Now she lives in a different city, Paris maybe.

Remember, the simple past is used for a situation that is over, finished, or done!

Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.

Meaning: Sara began living in Boston 5

years ago . . . AND . . . she still lives there.

Remember, Present Perfect connects the past with the present.

Use the Past Simple with time words like:

• yesterday

• last Saturday, week, month, year, etc.

• ago

• when I was…

• in 1990 (past date)

Use the Present Perfect with time words like:

• recently/ lately

• since …

• so far

Sleep Slept Slept

Remember!If you are talking about a specific

time in the past (yesterday, last month, etc.), you cannot use the present perfect.

In these cases, USE the Past Simple.

Complete the sentences with either the Past Simple or Present Perfect.

1. When I was a child, I _____________ (swim) a lot.

2. So far this week, we _____________ (study) a lot.

3. They ________________ (be) very sick recently.

4. I ______________ (have) a terrible headache yesterday.

5. It _________________ (rain) a lot lately.

6. They ________________ (get) married ten years ago.

7. I ________________ (be) to Balboa Park many times.

8. My family _______________ (take) a vacation last year.

swam

have studied

have been

had

has rained

got

have been

took