Present Perfect Tense

1. Forms of the Present Perfect Tense

💡 The Present Perfect Tense has three main forms: affirmative, negative, and interrogative.

A. Affirmative Form

Structure: Subject + has/have + past participle

• 🚶 I have walked to the park.
• 🎮 You have finished playing the game.
• 📖 He has studied for his exams.
• 📞 She has called her friend.
• 🌧️ It has rained a lot this month.
• ✈️ We have traveled to several countries.
• 🎶 You have listened to the new album.
• 📚 They have read that book.

B. Negative Form

Structure: Subject + has not/have not (hasn’t/haven’t) + past participle

• 🚶 I haven’t walked to the park.
• 🎮 You haven’t finished playing the game.
• 📖 He hasn’t studied for his exams.
• 📞 She hasn’t called her friend.
• 🌧️ It hasn’t rained a lot this month.
• ✈️ We haven’t traveled abroad this year.
• 🎶 You haven’t listened to the album yet.
• 📚 They haven’t read that book.

C. Interrogative Form

Structure: Has/Have + subject + past participle?

• 🚶 Have I walked to the park?
• 🎮 Have you finished playing the game?
• 📖 Has he studied for his exams?
• 📞 Has she called her friend?
• 🌧️ Has it rained a lot this month?
• ✈️ Have we traveled abroad this year?
• 🎶 Have you listened to the new album?
• 📚 Have they read that book?

2. Usages of the Present Perfect Tense

A. Actions at an Unspecified Time in the Past

Use this tense to talk about experiences or actions when the exact time is not important.

• 🌍 I have visited Paris.
• 📚 She has read many books.
• 🎥 They have watched that movie.
• 🚗 He has driven a sports car.
• 🎶 We have attended several concerts.
• ✈️ I have flown in a private jet.
• 🍽️ She has tried sushi.
• 📞 They have contacted customer service.
• 📖 He has studied ancient history.
• 🌄 We have hiked in the mountains.

B. Actions Continuing into the Present

This usage describes actions that began in the past and still continue today.

• 💼 I have worked at this company for five years.
• 🏡 She has lived here since 2010.
• 📖 He has studied English for two years.
• 🎶 They have played in a band since high school.
• ✈️ We have traveled to several cities this year.
• 🎓 I have attended this university since last year.
• 📞 She has worked as a receptionist since January.
• 🏆 He has trained for the competition for months.
• 🌍 They have explored different cultures for years.
• 🎬 We have made movies together for a long time.

C. Recently Completed Actions

Use this usage to indicate actions that have been completed in the very recent past with relevance to the present.

• 📞 I have just called her.
• 🎥 He has recently watched a new movie.
• 📚 She has just finished her homework.
• 🎮 They have just started a new video game.
• 📧 We have sjust ent the email.
• 🚗 He has just arrived at the office.
• 🎉 I have just invited friends to the party.
• 🍽️ She has just cooked dinner for tonight.
• 📖 They have just read the latest novel.
• 📝 We have just submitted our report.

D. Life Experiences (Ever/Never)

This usage describes experiences someone has had or never had.

• ✈️ I have never flown on a helicopter.
• 🍲 She has never tasted Mexican food.
• 📚 Have you ever read that author’s work?
• 🎬 They have never been to a movie premiere.
• 🌄 He has never climbed a mountain.
• 🏊 I have never gone scuba diving.
• 🎸 Have you ever played the guitar?
• 🚗 He has never driven a manual car.
• 🌍 We have never traveled outside our country.
• 🎓 She has never missed a class.

3. Time Indicators for the Present Perfect Tense

A. Using “Just”

“Just” indicates an action completed a very short time ago.

• 📞 I have just called her.
• 📖 She has just finished reading a book.
• 🎉 We have just celebrated his birthday.
• 🎬 They have just watched the movie.
• 🍽️ I have just prepared dinner.
• 🏆 He has just won a prize.
• ✍️ She has just written a new article.
• 🏡 They have just moved to a new apartment.
• 🚗 We have just arrived at the station.
• 📧 I have just sent the email.

B. Using “Already”

“Already” emphasizes that something happened earlier than expected.

• 🍽️ She has already eaten dinner.
• 🎬 He has already watched that movie.
• 📖 They have already finished the book.
• 🚗 I have already arrived.
• 🎉 We have already planned the party.
• 📧 She has already sent the email.
• 🏆 He has already won the match.
• 🏠 They have already cleaned the house.
• 📚 I have already studied for the test.
• 💼 We have already met with the manager.

C. Using “Yet”

“Yet” is used in questions and negatives to indicate that an expected action has not occurred up to now.

• 🎥 Have you watched the movie yet?
• 📞 Has she called you yet?
• 📚 I haven’t finished my homework yet.
• 📖 He hasn’t read the book yet.
• 🏡 They haven’t cleaned the house yet.
• 🏆 She hasn’t won the competition yet.
• 🍽️ We haven’t cooked dinner yet.
• 🎉 Has he planned the event yet?
• 📧 I haven’t received the email yet.
• 📅 They haven’t started the project yet.

D. Using “Since” and “For”

Use “Since” to point to the starting moment of an action, and “For” to indicate the duration.

• 💼 I have worked here since 2018.
• 🏡 She has lived in this city for ten years.
• 🎶 He has been in the band since high school.
• 📖 They have studied English for two years.
• ✈️ We have traveled together since college.
• 🎓 She has attended this university for three years.
• 📞 He has been a receptionist since last month.
• 🏆 They have trained for the competition for months.
• 🌍 I have explored different cultures for many years.
• 🎬 We have made movies together since 2015.

E. Other Common Indicators

• Ever/Never: Have you ever visited Japan?
• Recently: She has recently joined the team.
• So far: We have completed three chapters so far.
• Lately: They have been arguing a lot lately.