Definition of the present perfect tense
The present perfect tense serves to establish a connection between the present and the past. It signifies that the action occurred before the present moment, without specifying when, and our focus is frequently on the outcome rather than the action itself.
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The present perfect is used to describe
- An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
- An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn’t over yet.)
- A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. We have visited Portugal several times.
- An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by ‘just’. I have just finished my work.
- An action when the time is not important. He has read ‘War and Peace’. (= the result of his reading is important)
Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple past. Read more about choosing between the present perfect and the simple past tenses.
Actions started in the past and continuing in the present
- They haven’t lived here for years.
- She has worked in the bank for five years.
- We have had the same car for ten years.
- Have you played the piano since you were a child?
When the time period referred to has not finished
- I have worked hard this week.
- It has rained a lot this year.
- We haven’t seen her today.
Actions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now.
- They have seen that film six times
- It has happened several times already.
- She has visited them frequently.
- We have eaten at that restaurant many times.
Actions completed in the very recent past (+just)
- Have you just finished work?
- I have just eaten.
- We have just seen her.
- Has he just left?
When the precise time of the action is not important or not known
- Someone has eaten my soup!
- Have you seen ‘Gone with the Wind’?
- She’s studied Japanese, Russian, and English.
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Forming the present perfect
The present perfect tense for any verb consists of two parts: the correct form of the present tense auxiliary verb “to have” and the past participle of the main verb. In the case of regular verbs, the past participle is formed by adding “ed” to the base form, such as “played,” “arrived,” or “looked.” For irregular verbs, you can refer to the “Table of irregular verbs” in the “Verbs” section.
| Affirmative | ||
| Subject | +to have | +past participle |
| She | has | visited. |
| Negative | ||
| Subject | +to have + not | +past participle |
| She | has not (hasn’t) | visited. |
| Interrogative | ||
| to have | +subject | +past participle |
| Has | she | visited? |
| Negative interrogative | ||
| to have + not | +subject | +past participle |
| Hasn’t | she | visited? |
To Walk, present perfect
| Affirmative | Negative | Interrogative |
|---|---|---|
| I have walked | I haven’t walked | Have I walked? |
| You have walked | You haven’t walked. | Have you walked? |
| He, she, it has walked | He, she, hasn’t walked | Has he, she, it walked? |
| We have walked | We haven’t walked | Have we walked? |
| You have walked | You haven’t walked | Have you walked? |
| They have walked | They haven’t walked | Have they walked? |
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I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
