The present perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it may be kinda difficult to wrap your head around it, mostly because in some languages it does not exist. Its structure is really simple, but some problems may come out when you use it. Also, there are some differences between its usage in British and American English. I’ll teach you British use, because it’s the one I’m most accustomed to, and I like it more.

How do we make a Present Perfect tense?

subject + auxiliary have conjugated in present simple: have or has + main verb

The auxiliary verb have is conjugated in the Present Simple: have, has.

The main verb is invariable in past participle form: -ed (or irregular)

For negative sentences we insert not between the auxiliary verb and the main verb.

For question sentences, we exchange the subject and the auxiliary verb.

Examples:

  Subject Auxiliary verb   Main verb  
+ I have   seen ET.
+ You have   eaten mine.
- She has not been to Rome.
- We have not played football.
? Have you   finished?  
? Have they   done it?

Contractions with Present Perfect:

When we use the Present Perfect speaking, we tend to contract the subject and auxiliary verb, this is also sometimes done in informal writing.

   
You have You’ve
He has He’s
She has She’s
It has It’s
John has John’s
The car has The car’s

  • You’ve told me that before.

  • John’s seen harry potter.

In negative sentences, there’s also the usual “not” contraction (this one is with the auxiliary verb)

  • You haven’t won the contest.

  • She hasn’t heard from him.

Tip:

He’s or He’s? The ‘s contraction is used for the auxiliary verbs have and be. For example, “It’s eaten” can mean:

  • It has eaten (Present Perfect tense, active voice.)
  • It is eaten (Present Simple tense, passive voice.)

It’s usually clear by the given context tho, dw.

How do we use the Present Perfect tense?

This tense is called Present Perfect tense. There is always some connection with the past and with the present.

We use it to talk about:

  • Experiences.
  • Changes.
  • Continuing situations.

Present perfect used for experience:

We often use the present perfect to talk about experience from the past. I am not interested in when you did something. I only want to know if you did it:

  • I have seen an alien. (When? I don’t know, and I don’t care.)
  • He has lived in Bangkok.
  • Have you been there?
  • We have never eaten caviar.

Connection with the past: The event was in the past. Connection with the present: In my head, now, I have a memory of the event; I know something about the event; I have experience of it.

Present perfect used for change:

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about a change, or new information:

I have bought a car.
Past Present
Last week I didn’t have a car. Now I have a car. 
Noelia has broken her leg.
Past Present
Yesterday Noelia had a good leg. Now her leg is broken. 
Has the price gone up?
Past Present
Yesteday the price was $1.50 Today the price is $1.75

Connection with the past: The past is opposite of the present. Connection with the present: The present is opposite of the past.

Tip n2:

Americans use Present Perfect, but a lot less than British speakers. Americans often use the Past Simple tense instead. An American might say “Did you have lunch?”, where a british person would say “Have you had lunch?”

But, again, don't worry about it :D

Present Perfect used for a continuing situation:

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about a continuing situation. This is a state that started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably continue in the future). This is a situation (not an action). We usually use for and since with this structure.

  • I have worked here since June.
  • He has been ill for 2 days.
  • How long have you known Tara?

Connection with the past: The situation started in the past Connection with the present: The situation continues in the present.

For and Since with Present Perfect tense:

We often use for and since with perfect tenses:

  • We use for to talk about a period of time: five minutes, two weeks, seven years.
  • We use since to talk about a point in the past: 9 o’clock, 1st January, Monday.

Examples:

  • I have been here for twenty minutes.
  • I have been here since 9 o’clock.
  • John hasn’t called for six months.
  • John hasn’t called since February.
  • He has worked in New York for a long time.
  • He has worked in New York since he left school.

Tip n3:

For can be used with all tenses. Since is usually only used with perfect ones.

Excercises

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