Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense

How and When to Use?

When do we use present perfect tense?

​

We use the present perfect tense:

• for something that started in the past and continues in the present

• Example: They have been married for nearly fifty years.

We use the present perfect tense:

• when we are talking about our experience up to the present

• Example: I have played the guitar ever since I was a child.

We can use 'ever' and 'never' to talk about our experience up to the present:

Have you ever been to Japan?

No, I've never been to Japan.

We use the present perfect tense:

• for something that happened in the past but is important in the present

• Example: I can't get in the house. I have lost my keys.

​The Formula:

Time expressions used with present perfect simple

1) for
This gives a period of time.

Examples:
I've worked at this company for two years.

---

2) since
This gives a starting point.

Examples:
I've had this car since 2015.

---

3) just
This shows that something finished a short time ago.

Examples:
We've just eaten lunch.

4) already
This shows that something was finished earlier than expected.

Examples:
She's already gone home.

---

5) never
These expression means "not any time"n

Examples:
He has never called me.

---

6) yet
This is used for negatives and questions about situations that were expected to happen.

Examples:
Have you cooked dinner yet?

---

7) ever
These expression means "any time"

Examples:

Have you ever been to Korea?

Can you give me some examples of Verb 1, Verb 2 and Verb 3?

​For Example:
V1 V2 V3
Speak Spoke Spoken
Walk Walked Walked

Fill in the Blanks

Bob and Jane ... (not; know) each other for a long time

Fill in the Blanks

He ... (eat) at that restaurant many times

Fill in the Blanks

I ... (finish) my work

Fill in the Blanks

It ... (be) cold and cloudy for the last three days

Fill in the Blanks

I ... (meet) Ann's friends

Multiple Choice

How long ______ the children slept?

• did

• have

• has

• was

Multiple Choice

That tree __________ there for five hundred years.

• does

• have been

• is been

• has been

Multiple Choice

Have you __________ left a restaurant without paying the bill?

• never

• still

• ever

• yet

Fill in the Blanks

He

(live) in Hong Kong for ten days.

Fill in the Blanks

I saw him in May, but I

(see) him since then.

Fill in the Blanks

___________ already _______ (do) your homework?

Multiple Choice

Einstein ______ the theory of relativity, one of the two pillars of modern physics.

• have developed

• has developed

• developed

• is developing

Multiple Select

Time expression of present perfect, except...

• Already

• Yet

• From

• Recently

• For

Fill in the Blanks

Agisti

( grow ) since the last time I saw her.

Multiple Choice

I ...... in Karawang

• has lived

• had lived

• have lived

• lived

Fill in the Blanks

Write the negative form

Has he learned English for one year?

Poll

Out of 5, how confident are you in knowing how and when to use present perfect tense? (1=lowest, 5=highest)

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

• 5