Perfect Tenses (Present and Past)

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 have 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 cannot get in the house. I have lost my keys.

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

Poll

Success Criteria:

I can use present perfect tense to describe actions that happened in the past that continues to the present.

• I can do it!

• I still need help.

Multiple Choice

What action occurred first?

• 3:00 pm

  I got home.

• 12:30 pm

  My mother cooked chicken curry.

Multiple Choice

She __________ all the household chores before she left the house.

• had completed

• completed

• was completing

• had been completing

Multiple Choice

You are late. Simon _______________ his performance.

• completes

• has completed

• is completing

• has been completing

Multiple Choice

She played with her toys after she __________ two books.

• has read

• had read

• read

• reads

Multiple Choice

I ____________ never ____________ down this road before.

• am...driven

• am...driving

• have...driven

• have...drove

Multiple Choice

Kenneth bawled after he __________ the terrible news.

• received

• receives

• has received

• had received

Poll

Success Criteria:

I can use past perfect tense to describe an action that happened before another past action.

• I can do it!

• I still need help.

Present Perfect Tense + Past Perfect Tense

​​​Quiz Time

Multiple Choice

The committee ____________ the decision on the changes to be made.

• is finalised

• is finalising

• has finalised

• h finalised

Multiple Choice

The girl was crying as she __________ her way.

• lost

• was losing

• has lost

• had lost

Multiple Choice

Thankfully, I __________ school before it started drizzling.

• reached

• was reaching

• had reached

• has reached

Multiple Choice

The coach wants to speak to Jim after he ____________ briefing the team.

• finishes

• had finished

• has finished

• is finished

Multiple Choice

My parents missed the first half of my performance as it __________ before they arrived.

• began

• has begun

• had begun

• began

Multiple Choice

She ____________ too many excuses. I cannot accept another.

• had given

• has gave

• is giving

• has given

Multiple Choice

Terry was afraid to go home as he __________ the Mathematics test.

• had failed

• has failed

• failed

• had been failing

Multiple Choice

The robber __________ with the loot when the police arrived.

• escaped

• had escaped

• has escaped

• had been escaping

Multiple Choice

One of the members of the club ____________ the first women's international bowling tournament.

• has won

• have won

• has been winning

• have been winning

Multiple Choice

He refused to tell us where he __________ the bag.

• hid

• had hidden

• has hidden

• was hiding

Multiple Choice

It has been two hours but Cindy ____________ not ___________ a break yet.

• has...taken

• had...taken

• is...taken

• is...taking

Multiple Choice

Before I boarded the bus, I realised that I __________ my wallet.

• forgot

• had forgotten

• was forgetting

• has forgotten