Author:
Peter Berry
Date Of Creation:
19 February 2021
Update Date:
16 May 2024
Content
Verbal tense Present Perfect It is usually translated with the verb tense in Spanish past perfect compound. However, they do not have the same meaning and are not used in the same situations.
The Present Perfect is used to point out an action that has a link to both the present and the past.
Structure:
- Subject + Verb to have conjugated + Past participle
Eg He has played played (He has played.)
It can serve you:
- Examples of Present Simple
- Past Simple Examples
- Examples of Past Perfect
Negative:
- Subject + (verb to have conjugated) + not (or abbreviation) + past participle.
Eg I haven't played. (He hasn't played.)
Question:
- Verb to have conjugated + subject + past participle
Eg Have I played? (Have you played?)
The past participle (past participle) is formed with the stem of the verb plus the ending -ed. However, there are some irregular verbs that have specific shapes, different from the others.
When is the Present Perfect used?
The present perfect is used when you want to describe any of these situations:
- Action started in the past continues in the present. Example: He has played tennis all his life. (He has played tennis all his life.) What follows from the example sentence is that he still plays tennis. The action is performed during a period of time that did not end. Example: I have failed two tests this semester. (I have failed two exams this semester.) The semester is not over yet.
- The action has been repeated in the past, at an unspecified time. Example:I have fixed that car too many times. (I've repaired that car too many times.)
- The action is important for its consequences, not for when it happened. Example: Of course I have seen that movie. (Of course I have seen that movie.)
Sample sentences in Present Perfect
- We have lived in this house for over twenty years. (We have lived in this house for over twenty years.)
- She has never been to Florida. (He has never been to Florida.)
- I'm bored; I have seen this film a thousand times. (I get bored; I've seen this movie a thousand times.)
- You have given up hope. (You have lost faith.)
- I've lost my keys. (I lost my keys.)
- We have spoken about this issue in numerous occasions. (We have discussed this topic numerous times.)
- The project has cost them oven five thousand dollars. (The project has cost them more than $ 5,000.)
- Have you ever been to Poland? (Have you ever been to Poland?)
- We’ve become friends over the year. (We have become friends over the years.)
- I've learned this recipe by heart. (I have memorized this recipe.)
- We have been here before. (We've been here before.)
- I haven't learned a single thing in this class. (I haven't learned a single thing in this class.)
- I have developed a fine taste in wine. (He has developed a delicate taste for wine.)
- The boss has already been informed. (The boss has already been informed.)
- I have worked for the company before. (I have worked for the company before.)
- Hung up, you've been on the phone for two hours. (Cut off the phone, you've been talking for two hours.)
- He has helped you before. (He has helped you before.)
- You still haven't seen the worst part. (You haven't seen the worst part yet.)
- Have you seen my dog? (Have you seen my dog?)
- Scientist have discovered a new cure for the disease. (Scientists have found a new cure for the disease.)
- I've played that game before, I don't like it. (I've played that game before, I don't like it.)
- I haven't found the time to do it yet. (I haven't found the time to do it yet.)
- What have you done? (What have you done?)
- We can get in their system, John has broken the code. (We can get into his system, John has cracked the code.)
- He has become a very successful doctor. (He has become a successful doctor.)
- She has been cooking all morning. (He's been cooking all morning.)
- Have you checked this data before printing? (Have you confirmed this information before printing it?)
- They have been off and on the relationship for months. (They have been in and out of the relationship for months.)
- I have seen what he can do. (I've seen what it can do.)
- We have already done those exercises. (We have already done those exercises.)
- Have you finished your homework? (Have you finished your homework?)
- I have taught this game to all of my friends. (I have taught this game to all my friends.)
- Have you enjoyed your stay so far? (Have you enjoyed your stay so far?)
- I have already forgotten what we came here for. (I've already forgotten why we came here.)
- He has come from New Zealand. (He came from New Zealand.)
- They have improved the service. (They have improved the service.)
- They have changed their mind. (They have changed their minds.)
- Have you ever tried that restaurant? (Have you ever tried that restaurant?)
- It has rained a lot this week. (It has rained a lot this week.)
- I haven't seen her this morning. (I haven't seen her this morning.)
- We have finished dessert and we are ready to go. (We have finished dessert and are ready to go.)
- Be careful, you have done a lot of exercise and you haven’t had enough water. (Be careful, you have exercised a lot and you haven't had enough water.)
- Don’t worry, I’ve taken care of it. (Don't worry, I've taken care of it.)
- I don’t know if it will fit, I haven’t used that dress in ages. (I don't know if it's going to fit me, I haven't worn that dress in centuries.)
- With this noise, I haven't heard a word he said. (With this noise I have not heard a word of what he said.)
- I'm not shocked, I have seen worse. (I'm not surprised, I've seen worse.)
- You haven’t changed at all since the last time I saw you. (You haven't changed a bit since I last saw you.)
- I have seen that kid before, but I don't remember his name. (I've seen that boy before, but I don't remember his name.)
- Give the toy to your brother; you have played with it for hours. (Give the toy to your brother; you've played with it for hours.)
- Have you found what you were looking for? (Have you found what you were looking for?)
Can serve you
- Examples of Present Simple
- Past Simple Examples
- Examples of Past Perfect
Andrea is a language teacher, and on her Instagram account she offers private lessons by video call so that you can learn to speak English.
