Present perfect tense

Definition

Present perfect tense is talk about things that happened at some time in the past and have a

connection to the present.

Function

1. Something that started in the past and is still true now I known my best friend since I was 14

2. Indefinite past action I have flown on a plane before

3. Repeated past action Ana has gone to park many times

4. Used in the past but has an effect on the present situation I have posted the letter

5. It is also used with just for recently completed action I have just eaten

Form

Nominal

Verbal

next

Verbal

Positive Negative Question

IYouWeThey

Have + verb3 + o

Have not + verb3 + o

Have + subject + verb3 + O ?

SheHe It

Has + verb3 + o

Has not + verb3 + o

Has + subject + verb3 + O ?

home

Nominal

Positive Negative Question

IYouWeThey

Have + been + complement

Have not + been + complement

Have + subject + been + complement ?

SheHe It

Has + been + complement

Has not + been + complement

Has + subject + been + complement ?

home

Example

Verbal1. Positive

He has BOUGHT a skateboard

2. Negative

He hasn’t BOUGHT a skateboard

3. Question

Has he BOUGHT a skateboard ?

Nominal1. Positive

I has BEEN for 20 minutes

2. Negative

I hasn’t BEEN for 20 minutes

3. Question

Has I BEEN for 20 minutes ?

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Which word is followed by a certain time in the past?

Since

I haven’t seen Helen since last summer.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

Which word is used in positive statements to stress that something has happened?

Already

Karen has already left Hong Kong.

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

Which other word is often used with the present perfect tense in questions?

Ever

Has he ever invited you out for lunch?

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

Which word is followed by a length of time?

For

She hasn’t written to me for a year.

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

Which word shows that an action was completed a short time ago?

Just

They have just finished the project.

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

Which word is often used with negative statements and questions when the action has happened already or we expect it to happen soon?

Yet

I haven’t had lunch yet.

We often use the following words with the present perfect tense.

Since

Already

Ever

For

Just

Yet

The end