Present Perfect

Present Perfect
The present perfect is a verb tense which is used to show that an action has taken
place once or many times before now. The present perfect is most frequently used to
talk about experiences or changes that have taken place, but there are other less
common uses as well.
Present Perfect Forms

The present perfect is formed using has/have + past participle. Questions are
indicated by inverting the subject and has/have. Negatives are made with not.
 Statement: You have seen that movie many times.

 Question: Have you seen that movie many times?
 Negative: You have not seen that movie many times.
Present Perfect Uses

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now
We use the present perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time
before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the present perfect
with specific time expressions such as yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I
was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN
use the present perfect with unspecific expressions such as ever, never, once, many
times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Examples:
 I have seen that movie twenty times.

 I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes in California.
 People have traveled to the Moon.
 People have not traveled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?
The present perfect is associated with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the present perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have
the experience of...." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The present perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
 I have been to France.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France.
Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
 I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
 I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to
France.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.
TOPIC 2 Change Over Time
We often use the present perfect to talk about change that has happened over a
period of time.
Examples:
 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university
since the Asian studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the present perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
 Man has walked on the Moon.

 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.
TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the present perfect to say that an action which we expected has not
happened. Using the present perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action
to happen.
Examples:
 James has not finished his homework yet.

 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.
TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the present perfect to talk about several different actions which have
occurred in the past at different times. Present perfect suggests the process is not
complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
 The army has attacked that city five times.

 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows
why she is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
When we use the present perfect it means that something has happened at some
point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not
important.
Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do
this with expressions such as in the last week, in the last year, this week, this
month, so far, up to now, etc.
Examples:
 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for
three different companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.
NOTICE
Last year and in the last year are very different in meaning. Last year means the year
before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires past simple. In the last
year means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it
requires present perfect.
Examples:
 I went to Mexico last year.

I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and
now.
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)
With non-continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the

present perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until
now. For five minutes, for two weeks, and since Tuesday are all durations which can
be used with the present perfect.
Examples:
 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
Although the above use of present perfect is normally limited to non-continuous verbs
and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, the words live, work, teach, and study are
sometimes used in this way even though they are NOT non-continuous verbs.
ADVERB PLACEMENT
The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such
as always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.
Examples:
 You have only seen that movie one time.

 Have you only seen that movie one time?
ACTIVE / PASSIVE
Examples:
 Many tourists have visited that castle. Active

 That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive
Present Perfect Forms

Positive Negative Question
I have traveled. I have not traveled. Have I traveled?
You have traveled. You have not traveled. Have you traveled?
We have traveled. We have not traveled. Have we traveled?
They have traveled They have not traveled. Have they traveled?
He has traveled. He has not traveled. Has he traveled?
She has traveled. She has not traveled. Has she traveled?
It has traveled. It has not traveled. Has it traveled?

Present Perfect

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Present Perfect

Present Perfect Forms

 Statement: You have seen that movie many times.

Present Perfect Uses

 I have seen that movie twenty times.

The present perfect is associated with the following topics:

 I have been to France.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.

 Man has walked on the Moon.

 James has not finished his homework yet.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

 The army has attacked that city five times.

Time Expressions with Present Perfect

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?

 I went to Mexico last year.

USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now (Non-Continuous Verbs)

With non-continuous verbs and non-continuous uses of mixed verbs, we use the

 I have had a cold for two weeks.

 You have only seen that movie one time.

 Many tourists have visited that castle. Active

Present Perfect Forms

I have traveled. I have not traveled. Have I traveled?

You have traveled. You have not traveled. Have you traveled?

We have traveled. We have not traveled. Have we traveled?

They have traveled They have not traveled. Have they traveled?

He has traveled. He has not traveled. Has he traveled?

She has traveled. She has not traveled. Has she traveled?

It has traveled. It has not traveled. Has it traveled?

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