⏳ Present Perfect Tense: A Complete Guide
The Present Perfect Tense is used to talk about experiences, recent actions, and events that have a connection to the present. It links the past and the present.
✅ 1. Form
Structure: Subject + have/has + past participle (V3)
🔹 Affirmative
- I have eaten lunch already.
- She has finished her homework.
🔹 Negative
Structure: Subject + have/has + not + past participle
- He has not seen the movie.
- We haven’t done our project.
🔹 Questions
Yes/No: Have/Has + subject + past participle?
Wh-: Wh-word + have/has + subject + past participle?
- Have you been to Japan?
- What have they done so far?
🧠 2. Meaning and Use
🔸 A. Life Experiences
We use the present perfect to talk about things that someone has done in their life up to now. The exact time is not important or not stated. The focus is on the experience itself rather than when it happened.
- I have visited Paris. (We don’t say when.)
- She has never eaten sushi. (At any point in her life.)
🔸 B. Recent Actions with Present Results
Use the present perfect when something happened very recently and has a visible effect on the present. It emphasizes the result more than the exact moment.
- I have lost my keys. (The result: I can’t open the door now.)
- They have just arrived. (The result: They are here now.)
🔸 C. Actions Completed in a Time Period That Is Not Finished
Use the present perfect for actions that happened at some point during a time period that is still ongoing (e.g., today, this week, this year). It shows relevance to the present moment.
- We have had three meetings this week. (This week isn’t over yet.)
- He has studied a lot today. (Today is still happening.)
🔸 D. Repeated Actions
The present perfect can describe repeated actions that happened several times before now. It focuses on the number or repetition of the actions, not specific time points.
- She has watched that movie five times. (The focus is on how many times.)
- I have called him three times today. (And maybe I will call again.)
⏰ 3. Common Time Expressions
- ever, never
- just, already, yet
- so far, up to now, until now
- today, this week/month/year
- recently, lately
Examples:
Have you ever tried bungee jumping?
I haven’t finished my work yet.
📝 4. Irregular Past Participles
Many past participles are irregular. Here are some common ones:
| Base Verb | Past Participle (V3) |
|---|---|
| go | gone |
| see | seen |
| eat | eaten |
| write | written |
❗ 5. Common Mistakes
- ❌ I have gone to the shop yesterday.
✅ I went to the shop yesterday. (Use past simple with past time references) - ❌ She has ate lunch.
✅ She has eaten lunch. (Use correct past participle)
🧠 6. Tips to Remember
- Do not use specific past time expressions (e.g., yesterday, last year) with Present Perfect.
- Use the third form (past participle) of the verb.
- “Have” is used with I/you/we/they; “has” is used with he/she/it.
- Use it for actions with results in the present or time periods that are still ongoing.
📅 Mastering Time Expressions in the Present Perfect Tense
Time expressions are crucial in understanding and using the Present Perfect correctly. These expressions help define the time connection between past actions and the present moment. Below is a deeper explanation of how these expressions function and how they subtly change the focus of a sentence.
🧭 1. Expressions That Emphasize the Present Result
- Just: Indicates that something happened a very short time ago.
Example: I've just seen her at the station. - Already: Used to show that something happened sooner than expected.
Example: They have already finished their homework. - Yet: Used in negative statements or questions when we expect something to happen.
Example: Has she submitted the form yet?
🌍 2. Expressions of Life Experience
- Ever: Used in questions to ask if someone has had the experience at any point in their life.
Example: Have you ever flown in a helicopter? - Never: Indicates that someone has not had the experience at any time in their life.
Example: I have never tried Korean food.
📈 3. Expressions for Ongoing Time Periods
Used when the time period mentioned has not finished yet. These expressions keep the sentence rooted in the present moment.
- This week / month / year
Example: She has read five books this month. - Today
Example: I've had two cups of coffee today. - In the last / over the past + time period
Example: We've made significant progress in the last two days.
📌 4. Expressions That Show Repetition or Accumulation
- So far / Up to now: Show how much has been done until the present.
Example: We have received ten applications so far. - Several times / Many times: Used to emphasize repeated actions or experiences.
Example: I have visited Thailand several times.
🧠 5. Tips for Using Time Expressions Accurately
- Use yet only in questions and negatives.
- Use just and already mainly in affirmative sentences.
- Do not mix these expressions with specific finished times like "yesterday" or "last year" — those require the Past Simple.
- Remember that expressions like this week, today, or so far imply the time is still open or relevant now.
🌤️ Instruction:
Give the correct Present Perfect forms of the verbs in brackets.
✍️ Exercise (20 Sentences):
- She (not reply) to my message yet, and it’s already been two days.
- (Have / you / ever visit) the famous Shwedagon Pagoda in Yangon?
- I (read) five chapters of the book since last night.
- They (not return) from the hiking trip yet because the road is closed.
- My brother (already clean) the motorbike, so he’s resting now.
- (How many times / you / see) that movie this month?
- We (just finish) our group project and submitted it to the teacher.
- He (not feel) well for several days, so he went to the clinic.
- I (travel) to Thailand twice in the past two years.
- She (never be) to a karaoke bar before.
- (Have / your friends / arrive) at the airport yet?
- We (not have) any rain since last week, and the plants are drying out.
- I (help) my younger sister with her homework a lot recently.
- They (not fix) the water pipe, so the kitchen is still leaking.
- (Who / eat) the last piece of cake? It was mine!
- He (not talk) to me since our argument last weekend.
- I (already see) that episode, so let’s watch a different one.
- (Have / your team / win) any matches so far this season?
- My uncle (live) in Australia since 2015.
- We (not decide) what to order for dinner yet.