Present Perfect Tense

There are 2 primary reasons to use the Present Perfect Tense.

Reason #1

To talk about a completed past action at a non-specific time. The action is finished. You don’t know, care or

remember when it happened.

For example:

1 – I’ve read that book before.

2 – She’s already done her homework.

Reason #2

With the words “for” and “since” to talk about something that began in the past and continues to now.

For example:

1 – I’ve studied at this school since last June.

2 – She’s lived in West Palm Beach for 2 months.

The form of the present perfect simple tense:

Subject + Have (in the simple present) + Verb (in the past participle form)

Positive Negative Question

I have worked there.He has worked there. We have worked there.

I have not worked there. He has not worked there. We have not worked there.

Have you worked there?Has he worked there? Have we worked there?

1. To emphasize on the result of a past action without mentioning the actual time when it happened:

Examples:

A) I have met that girl before. b) We have discussed this issue a few times.

2. Action performed in a period that has not finished yet (the same day, week, month, etc.):

Examples:A) Have you seen Lacy today? (The day is not over yet.)B) I have had several tests this month. (The month has not finished yet.)

The Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

3. Action that started in the past and has continued until now. Often used with since (indicating the beginning of action) or for (indicating the duration of action):

Examples:

a) They have lived here for ten years.

b) I have not seen her since we left high school.

c) Fahad and Omar have known each other since they were at

primary school.

4. It is used to indicate completed activities in the

immediate past (with just , already, yet).Yet is used in

questions and negatives.

Example:

 a) The taxi’s arrived.

b) He has just taken the medicine.

c) Has she got-up yet?

d) It’s 11 o’clock and she hasn’t got up yet. e) I’ve already eaten breakfast.

Present perfect vs past simple tense:

The use of past simple instead of present perfect requires clear reference to a past period/moment:

Present perfect Simple past

I have met that girl before I met that girl at the beach last Saturday.

Have you seen Nancy recently?

Did you see Nancy yesterday?

We have discussed this issue a few times.

We discussed this issue last month.

I have had some tests this week.

I had some tests last week.