Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)

English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

Verb Tenses
There are 12 verb tenses in English. The verb action can take place in the past, the
present or the future. There are usually word clues that give a guide as to when the
verb action occurs. Within each of these times, there are four different situations that
occur. Simple tenses occur at a point in time, or on a repeated or habitual basis. A
progressive or continuous tense indicates that the action takes place over time and
these tenses always use part of the verb “be” as the first part of the verb phrase and
end with the main verb + ing. A perfect tense always uses part of “have” as the first
part of the verb phrase and ends with the past form of the main verb. A perfect
progressive tense starts with the relevant part of the verb “have” followed by “been”
and ends with the main verb + ing. If you remember these basic rules, you can always
identify the verb tense being used, or use the verb tense you need without having to
continually refer to a text book or table. Meanwhile, a chart like the one given here
can provide a quick and easy reference until you feel comfortable using the various
verb tenses. Also pay attention to the time clues in the following chart; while some of
them can be used with more than one verb tense, they do restrict the number of
possibilities and help you to understand which verb tense is being used, or which verb
tense you should use.

Chart—Active Verb Tenses

Past Present Future

Simple An action that ended at An action that exists, A plan for future
a point in the past. is usual, or is action.
repeated.
cooked cook / cooks will cook
(time clue)* e.g. He cooked e.g. He cooks dinner e.g. He will cook
yesterday. every Friday. tomorrow.
Progressive An action was An action that is An action that will
be + main happening (past happening now. be happening over
verb +ing progressive) when time, in the future,
another action when something else
happened (simple happens.
past).
was / were cooking am / is / are cooking will be cooking
(time clue)* e.g. He was cooking e.g. He is cooking e.g. He will be
when the phone rang. now. cooking when you
come.
Perfect An action that ended An action that An action that will
have + past before another action happened at an end before another
participle or time in the past. unspecified time in action or time in the

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

the past. future.

had cooked has / have cooked will have cooked
(time clue)* e.g. He had cooked the e.g. He has cooked e.g. He will have
dinner when the phone many meals. cooked dinner by the
rang. time you come.
Perfect An action that An action occurring An action occurring
Progressive happened over time, in over time that started over time, in the
have + been + the past, before in the past and future, before
main verb + another time or action continues into the another action or
ing in the past. present. time in the future.
had been cooking has / have been will have been
cooking cooking
(time clue)* e.g. He had been e.g. He has been e.g. He will have
cooking for a long cooking for over an been cooking all day
time before he took hour. by the time she gets
lessons. home.

Time clues: these are words that give some information about when an action occurs.
Some examples are:

yesterday simple past

every day simple present
tomorrow simple future
while past progressive
now present progressive
.
There are many words that are time clues; some can be used to indicate a number of
tenses, for instance that something happened in the past or that it will happen in the
future. If you learn to recognize these time clues, you will find them very helpful.
Note that some time clues can be used with more than one verb tense and also that
this table is not a complete listing of all the time clues that can be used with all of the
tenses.
Chart—Time Clues and Verb Tense
Past Present Future
Simple Simple Past Simple Present Simple Future
yesterday every morning / day / tomorrow
last year/ month/ etc. tonight
etc. always next week/month/etc.
before usually soon
for five frequently in the future
weeks/days/etc. sometimes
one year/ month
ago

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

Progressive Past Progressive Present Progressive Future progressive

while now when

when right now after
this week/minute/etc. as soon as
before
Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect
before until now by the time you go
already since (somewhere)
by the time ever by the time you do
until then/last never (something)
week/etc. many times/ already
after weeks/years/etc.
for three hours/
minutes/etc/
Perfect Past Perfect Present Perfect Future Perfect
Progressive progressive Progressive Progressive
before for the past year/ by the time
for one month/ etc. for ten
week/hour/etc. for the last 2 months/ days/weeks/etc.
since weeks/etc. by
up to now
for 6 weeks/hours/etc.
since

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

The present perfect tense

The present perfect verb tense is a little difficult in English – it is used in several
different ways, and there are lots of rules to remember. This lesson will teach you
everything you ever wanted to know about the present perfect – try the four quizzes
with grammar exercises in each section!

How to form the Present Perfect

Present Perfect Positive

SUBJECT + HAVE / HAS + Verb. PAST PARTICIPLE

I / you / we / they have written
he / she / it has written
Note: In spoken English, it’s common to use the contraction:
• I’ve written three books.
• We’ve already seen that movie
• Barbara’s forgotten her cell phone.
• He’s just woken up.
In this case, he’s, she’s, Barbara’s, etc. mean he has, she has, and Barbara has, not he
is, she is, or Barbara is.

Present Perfect Negative

SUBJECT+ HAVEN’T / HASN’T + verb. PAST PARTICIPLE
I / you / we / they haven’t seen
he / she / it hasn’t seen
Examples:
• I haven’t seen John this week.
• Mary hasn’t come to class for the past two days.

Present Perfect Questions

HAVE / HAS+ SUBJECT + PAST PARTICIPLE

Have I / you / we / they finished?
Has he / she / it finished?
Examples:
• Have you finished the project yet?
• Has George ever been to New York?
How to answer present perfect questions:
• Have you been to London?
Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.
• Has Alex met Miriam yet?
Yes, he has. / No, he hasn’t.
• Have the results of the election been announced?

Yes, they have. / No, they haven’t.

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

Present Perfect with unfinished time

Present Perfect with ever / never
The present perfect is used with ever and never to talk about actions done at any time
in a person’s life,
or at any time in history until now.
• Have you ever been to Japan?
• Has she ever seen Titanic?
• Have they ever ridden a motorcycle?
• Has Jason ever failed a test?
Use ever in questions only – NOT in statements.
“I’ve ever been to Japan.”
• “I’ve been to Japan.”
Use never in statements – but only with have/has, not with haven’t/hasn’t:
• “My sister hasn’t never seen Titanic.”
• “My sister has never seen Titanic.”

• “My sister hasn’t seen Titanic.”

Present Perfect with already, yet, recently, lately, and just
The words already, yet, recently, lately and just all refer to a recent and non-specific
time. (A specific time would be “yesterday” or “three hours ago” or last Friday,” and
in these cases we would use the simple past).
Already and yet
Already can be used in positive statements and questions.
• “I’ve already read today’s newspaper.”
• “Have you already paid the electric bill?”
• “She’s finished the test already.”
Note: Already can go in between “have/has” and the past participle (as in the first two
examples) or at the end of the sentence.
Yet can be used in negative statements and questions.
• “We haven’t cleaned the house yet.”
• “Has he told you the good news yet?”
• “Have they booked their tickets yet?”
Note: Yet usually goes at the end of the sentence or phrase.
Recently, lately, and just
Recently and lately can be used in positive statements, negative statements, or
questions:
Recently
• “He’s recently lost some weight.”
• “I haven’t seen her recently.”
• “Have you spoken to Beth recently?”
Lately
“I’ve gotten a lot of spam e-mails lately.”
• “Adam and Jessica haven’t been to church lately.”
• “Have you seen any good movies lately?”
Just (usually means very recent) is typically only used in positive statements and
questions:
• “Don’t touch the walls – I’ve just painted them and they’re still wet.”

• “What book have you just finished reading?”

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

Present Perfect Simple / Present Perfect Continuous

How to form the present perfect continuous:
Positive and negative statements:
SUBJECT AUXILIARY VERB BEEN -ING FORM
I have been working here since 1992.
He hasn’t been sleeping well lately.
Questions:
QUESTION WORD+ AUXILIARY VERB+ SUBJECT +BEEN+ -ING FORM
How long have you been studying English?
How long has she been playing tennis?
In some cases, the present perfect simple and the present perfect continuous are the
same:
“I’ve worked here since 1992.” = “I’ve been working here since 1992.”
However, we often use the present perfect progressive to emphasize the action, and
the present perfect simple to emphasize the result:
• “I’ve been working on the report for three weeks.” (emphasizes the action of
working)
• “I’ve finished the project.” (emphasizes that the project is done)
• “We’ve been cleaning the house all afternoon.” (emphasizes the action of cleaning)
• “We’ve already cleaned the bathroom and the kitchen (emphasizes the fact that the
bathroom and kitchen are done)
Be careful: Remember that “state” verbs are never used in continuous form.
• “I’ve been knowing my best friend since elementary school.” Incorrect
• “I’ve known my best friend since elementary school.”
• “She’s been understanding everything in the advanced class so far.” Incorrect
• “She’s understood everything in the advanced class so far.”

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE SIMPLE FORM –

Exercises

A Fill in SINCE or FOR

1. He has been back ___________ two hours / __________ 3 o’clock.
2. I haven’t seen him _________ over two months / ________ Christmas.
3. You’ve been watching TV __________ you came home from school /
_____ most of the evening.
4. Carol has been looking after the baby _________ this morning /
______ over four hours.
5. The Healers have had Dusty ________ their old dog died / ________
nearly two years.
6. We’ve been standing here ________ twenty-five minutes / _________
half past six.

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

7. Kate has been learning French ________ she was eleven / _________
four years.
8. Grandfather has been living with us ____________ Granny died /
________ quite some time.

B Complete these sentences using the Present Perfect

Tense of the following verbs
to be – to clean – to eat – to have – to rain – to see
1. Chris ___________________ all the biscuits. (They are gone now.)
2. The boys ___________________ the car. (It looks beautiful now.)
3. Mrs Wood _______________ a busy day. (She is tired now.)
4. It _________ not _________ for weeks. (The garden is very dry.)
5. I _________________ the film. (I know it.)
6. My sister _______________ to Paris several times. (She knows it.)

C Complete these sentences using the Present Perfect

Tense or the Past Tense
1. We (not meet) _____________________ his mother so far. We _________
his mother then.
2. Greg (be) _____________________ a good student last year. Greg
___________ a good student up to now.
3. They (live) ___________________ in our street since 1982. They
_____________ in our street some years ago.
4. Bob and Chris (not quarrel) _________________________ all week. Bob
and Chris ____________________ yesterday.
5. You (ask) __________________ me this question before. You
_______________ me this question last lesson.

E You are writing a letter to a friend. In the letter you

give news about yourself and other people. Use the
words given to make sentences. Use the Present
Perfect Tense
Dear Chris,
Lots of things have happened since I last wrote to you.

1. I / buy / a new car ______________________________

2. my father / start / a new job
___________________________________
3. I / give up / smoking
____________________________________________
4. Charles and Sarah / go / to Brazil
_________________________________

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

5. Suzanne / have / a baby

________________________________________

F Read the situations and write sentences. Choose

one of the following verbs.
arrive break go up grow improve
lose
1. Mike is looking for his key. He can’t find it. …….He has lost his key.
2. Margaret can’t walk and her leg is in plaster (=Gips). She
___________________
3. Maria’s English wasn’t very good. Now it is much better.
___________________
4. Tim didn’t have a beard last month. Now he has a beard.
___________________
5. This morning I was expecting a letter. Now I have it.
_______________________
6. Last week the bus fare was 80 pence. Now it is 90.
_______________________

G Complete B’s sentences. Use the verb in brackets +

just / already / yet

B
1 Would you like something to eat? 1 No, thanks. I .............…..…. lunch.
(just/have).
2 Do you know where Julia is?
2 Yes, I ………………her. (just/see)
3 What time is David leaving?
3 He ……………… (already/leave)
4 What’s in the newspaper today?
4 I don’t know. I …. (not/read/yet)
5 Is Ann coming to the cinema
with us? 5 No, she ……………..the film.
(already/see)
6 Are your friends here yet?
6 Yes, they …………… (just/arrive).
7 What does Tim think about your
A plan? 7 I ……………………………………

(not/tell/yet)

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

SOLUTIONS

A Fill in SINCE or FOR

1. He has been back for two hours / since 3 o’clock.
2. I haven’t seen him for over two months /since Christmas.
3. You’ve been watching TV since you came home from school / for most of the
evening.
4. Carol has been looking after the baby since this morning / for over four hours.
5. The Healers have had Dusty since their old dog died / for nearly two years.
6. We’ve been standing here for twenty-five minutes / since half past six.
7. Kate has been learning French since she was eleven / for four years.
8. Grandfather has been living with us since Granny died / for quite some time.

B
1. Chris has eaten all the biscuits.
2. The boys have cleaned the car.
3. Mrs Wood has had a busy day.
4. It has not rained for weeks.
5. I have seen the film.
6. My sister has been to Paris several times.

C Complete these sentences using the Present Perfect Tense or the Past Tense

1. We have not met his mother so far. We met his mother then.
2. Greg was a good student last year. Greg has been a good student up to now.
3. They have lived in our street since 1982. They lived in our street some years ago.
4. Bob and Chris have not quarrelled all week. Bob and Chris did not quarrel
yesterday.
5. You have asked me this question before. You asked me this question last lesson.

E
1. I have bought a new car.
2. Ma father has started a new job.
3. I have given up smoking
4. Charles and Sarah have gone to Brazil.
5. Suzanne has had a baby.

F
2. She has broken her leg.
3. She has improved her English.
4. He has grown a beard.
5. The letter has arrived.
6. The price has gone up.

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 Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

G Complete B’s sentences. Use the verb in brackets + just / already / yet

1 Would you like something to eat? B

1 No, thanks. I have just had lunch.
2 Do you know where Julia is? 2 Yes, I have just seen her.

3 What time is David leaving? 3 He has already left.

4 What’s in the newspaper today? 4 I don’t know. I have not read it yet.

5 Is Ann coming to the cinema 5 No, she has already seen the film.
A with us?
6 Yes, they have just arrived.
6 Are your friends here yet?
7 I have not yet told him.
7 What does Tim think about your
plan?

Exercise on Passive Voice - Present Perfect

Rewrite the sentences in passive voice.

1. Kerrie has paid the bill. - The bill has been paid by Kerrie.
2. I have eaten a hamburger. - A hamburger has been eaten by me.
3. We have cycled five miles. - Five miles have been cycled by us.
4. I have opened the present. - The present has been opened by me.
5. They have not read the book. - The book has not been read by them.
6. You have not sent the parcel. - The parcel has not been sent by you.
7. We have not agreed to this issue. - This issue has not been agreed to by us.
8. They have not caught the thieves. - The thieves have not been caught by them.
9. Has she phoned him? - Has he been phoned by her?
10. Have they noticed us? - Have we been noticed by them?

Passive voice exercise (present perfect tense)

In the present perfect tense we make passive verb forms by putting has/have +
been before the past participle form of the verb.
Sentences are given in the active voice. Change them into the passive.

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Lecture (1) Present perfect tense Chapter (7)
English Class Asst. Lect. Nuralhuda A. Jasim

Answers
1. The job has been finished by me.

2. The milk has been drunk by the cat.

3. The flowers have been plucked by the girls.

4. That movie has been watched by me.

5. Another window has been broken by Peter.

6. Six letters have been written by me.

7. Has the parcel been received by you?

8. Has the invitation been accepted by them?

9. She has been known to me for a long time.

10. The championship has been won by our team.

11. Her ways have been mended by her.

12. Dinner has been cooked by me.

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