The Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense - When to use

The present perfect is a grammatical combination of the present tense and the perfect aspect, used to express a past event that has present consequences. An example is "I have eaten" (so I'm not hungry). Depending on the specific language, the events described by present perfects are not necessarily completed, as in "I have been eating" or "I have lived here for five years."

The present perfect is a compound tense in English, as in many other languages, meaning that it is formed by combining an auxiliary verb with the main verb. For example, in modern English, it is formed by combining a present-tense form of the auxiliary verb "to have" with the past participle of the main verb. In the above example, "have" is the auxiliary verb, whereas the past participle "eaten" is the main verb. The two verbs are sometimes labeled "V1" and "V2" in grammar instruction.


Positif: S + have/has + V3
Negatif: S + have/sas Not + V3
Tanya: Have/has + S + V3

1.
We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives or not. It is not important when we did it.

Examples
I have been abroad two times.
Anna has never broken a leg.
Have you ever eaten sushi?

Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.
2.

We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now.

Examples
I have been a teacher for more than ten years.
We haven't seen Janine since Friday.
How long have you been at this school?

Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.
3.

We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present.

Examples
I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now.
Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now.
Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready?

Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the result in the present.