The Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is an important part of English grammar since it generally demonstrates that
actions or events in the past time usually have an effect on the present time situation. In other words, it is
used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but not
specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.

 Form
I/ You / We /They have
verb3 (past participle)
He / She / It has
Examples:
- We have studied the present simple tense.
- She has written a new story.

Short form!
In speaking, we usually use have/has in their short forms: I've, we've, he's, it's, etc. and the short form of
have not/has not: They haven't, she hasn't, etc.

Have you heard? Well done! I'm so What's wrong I can't walk. I've
I've passed my exam! happy for you. with you? hurt my leg.

Note on the verb form:

Regular verbs end in "ed" in the past participle, whereas irregular verbs have different forms. Ex:
Regular Verbs Irregular Verbs
infinitive past past participle (3) infinitive past past participle (3)
visit visited visited write wrote written
open opened opened come came come
(See table of irregular verbs).
 Tips!
 Generally, the perfect aspect uses the past participle to normally express an event or an action that
happened or was achieved in an unspecific time in the past. The exact time is not important.
 Grammatically, the present perfect tense combines:
- the present tense (using have/has), and
- the perfect aspect (using the past participle) to express an event that happened in the past. It has
present consequences, its effect is felt in the present time, or it is important now.
 Semantically, the present perfect tense is used to show a link between the present and the past.
 The present perfect tense is commonly used in everyday conversations, in the news, on the radio, and
when writing letters.
 Usage
The present perfect tense is used when talking about:
1. experiences from the past up to the present. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." or "somebody
has experienced something". Ex:
- I have seen this movie before.
- I have tried Turkish food. It's delicious.
- He has been to Darkoush; he has swum in the Orontes.
We often use the adverb ever to talk about experience up to the present:
- Peter was the worst person I have ever met.
and we use never to say that you have not had a certain experience:
- I have never seen a crocodile.
- A: Have you ever met George?
B: Yes, but I have never met his wife.
2. achievements and accomplishments of individuals and humanity. (We cannot mention a specific time).
Ex:
- Man has walked on the Moon.
- Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
- Scientists have made many useful inventions.
- My son has learned how to read.
- She has climbed the Himalayas.
- He has written three books and he is working on another one.
3. an action that happened in the past but the time is not important; the action is important now. (We are
interested in and concerned about the action; we do not care or know when the action happened). Ex:
- Terrorist Russia and the Al-Assad regime have destroyed Syria and killed many people.
- Someone has eaten my soup!
- I cannot get in the house. I have lost my keys. My
- I think I have met him once before. mother has
- Nada is not at home. I think she has gone shopping. had a nice
- She has lost her wedding ring. baby.
- Ahmad has started a new job.
- Peter has broken his leg and they have taken him to hospital.
- She has studied Japanese, French, and English.
4. an action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present and maybe to the future. Ex:
- Abdullah has lived in Idlib all his life. (= and he still does)
- I have taught English for thirty years.
- She has worked in the bank for five years.
- We have had the same car for ten years.
5. an action that happened and was completed or finished in the recent past, but its effect is still felt in the
present time. It is usually expressed by the adverbs: just, only just, and recently. Ex:
- The children have made a mess in the kitchen.
- I have just had lunch. Hooray!
- Maha has just cleaned the room. I've won the
- Ahmad has only just finished his weekly report.
- She has done the washing-up.
- They have just arrived from Idlib.
- Scientists have recently discovered a new way to grow plants.

6. an action that has been repeated in the past at different times. You can add the number of times at the
end of the sentence. (Repeating the action is possible). Ex:
- I have travelled by plane three times.
 - Al-Assad terrorist regime has bombed southern Idlib frequently.
- He has been to Turkey twice so far.
- We have eaten at the restaurant many times.
- They have visited us several times.
- I have had five tests so far this semester.
- She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.
7. a change or a situation that has happened over a period of time and is still continuing today. Ex:
- You have grown since the last time I saw you.
- Throughout history, people have moved from the countryside to cities.
- Women have become more interested in education.
- My English has really improved since I started this conversation course.
8. an action performed during a period of time that has not yet finished. Ex:
- She has been to the library twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
- It has rained a lot this year.
- We haven't seen her today
- I have worked hard this month.
9. an uncompleted action we are expecting. (We are still waiting for the action to happen). Ex:
- Steve has not finished his homework yet.
- Maria hasn't mastered English, but she can communicate.
- Bayan has still not arrived.
- The rain hasn't stopped.
10. a habit, a state or a situation that started in the past and continued up till now. Ex:
- They have always helped us since we lived here.
- We have frequently visited them for ten years.
- I have always liked chocolate since I was a child.
- I have had a cold for two weeks.
- Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
- She has been in England for six months.
-
Note!
have been vs. have gone
We use have/has been when someone has gone to a place and returned. Ex:
- Your husband: Where have you been? I have been out to
You : I have been out to the supermarket. (You are at home now) the supermarket.
- A: Has your husband ever been to Spain?
B: No, but he has been to Italy. (He is here now)
But when someone has not returned, we use have/has gone. Ex:
- A: Where's Maria? I haven't seen her for weeks.
B: She's gone to Paris. (She is not here now; she is still in Paris)
 He just, already, recently, ever, yet, so far, up till now, up to now,
She has lately, all last week, all last…
It before, never…before, since, for…
___V___
I (P.P.) The present perfect tense connects the past and the present.
You
have
We
They

finished action (having results now –

1 Sami is very happy. He has passed his
orit is a news)
exams.
Recently finished action (with: already,
Nadia has lately joined an English course.
2 just, before, ever, never, yet, lately,
I have never seen a king before.
recently…)
How many times an action is
3 The teacher has explained the lesson twice this
repeated(with: once, twice, seven
week.
times …)
Action continuing up to now (with: for
4 I have taught English for 10
/since)
years.
(comment on usage)
A: Salem is a good salesman.
1
B: Right you are. He has
sold cars
A: Why since
don't 2002.
you join me?
2 B: Thanks! I have just had lunch.

Have you heard? Well done! I'm so

I've passed my happy for you.
What's wrong exam!
with you? I can't walk. I've
b
r
o
k
e
n
m
y
l
e
.
g
My mother has had
a nice baby.
Hooray!
I'vewon the

Correct the verbs in brackets in the following mini-dialogues:

1. A: I (see) 'Titanic' five times this month. 1._______________
B: It's really a great film.
2. A: Do you know Sami? 2. ______________
B: Yes. I (know) him for five years.
3. A: What (you do) since I last saw you? 3. ______________
B: I (write) two short stories. _________________
4. A: Would you like to have a piece of pizza?
B: Thank you. I (just have) lunch. 4. ______________
5. A: She (live) here since 2002. 5. ______________
B: That's a long time.