Introduction / Use
The present perfect tense tell us about the past and the present. We use it when we see things as happening in the past but having a result in the present.
Example :
- We've washed the dishes. (They are clean now)
- The aircraft has landed means that the aircraft is on the ground now.
Form
The present tense of have + a past participle.
Positive
- I/you/we/they have washed or I/you/we/they've washed
- he/she/it has washed or he/she/it's washed
Negative
- I/you/we/they haven't washed
- he/she/it hasn't washed
Question
- Have I/you/we/they washed ?
- Has he/she/it washed ?
Regular
Regular past participles end in -ed (e.g. washed, landed, finished)
Irregular Form
Some participles are irregular :
- made
- sold
- thought
- written
- drunk
Just, already, yet
| - | Meaning | Location | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Just | a short time ago | before the past participle | I've just had an idea |
| Already | sooner than expected | before the past participle | Most people have already gone home |
| Yet | we are expecting something to happen | after the past participle | It's eleven and you haven't finished breakfast yet |
For, since and how long
Here something began in the past and has lasted up to the present time. We use since
- We've lived in Oxford since 1992. NOT
We live here since 1992
We say use to say how long this period is (for three days)
- Vicky has only had that camera for three days.
We use how long in the question :
- How long has Vicky this camera ? Since Thursday, I think
Gone or been to ?
- Claire has gone to Australia : Gone there means that she is still there.
- Calire has been to Australia : Been there means that the visit is over.
Ever and never
Meaning
- ever : in your whole life
- never : means “not ever”
We use ever in questions. Example :
- Have you ever played cricket ? No, never
- Have you ever been in Brazil ?
First time, second time, etc
After It's/this is the first /second time, we use the Present perfect :
- This is the first time, we've been to Scotland, so it's all news to us.
- This is the second time that Rachel has forgotten to give me a message
Today, this week, etc
We use the present perfect with today and phrase with this, (eg this morning, this week, …) :
- We've done quite a lot of work today
- I haven't watched any television so far this week.