Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense:

This page will present the present perfect simple:

·         its form

·         and its use.

I.       The form of the present perfect simple tense:

Have (in the simple present) + Verb (in the past participle form)

Positive	Negative	Interrogative
I have worked.	I have not worked.	Have you worked?

Examples:

·         Have you finished the job?

·         No, I haven't finished yet.

·         Yes, I have already finished.

·         She's just finished her job.

Infinitive	Simple past	Past participle
be come go do meet	was/were came went did met	been come gone done met

 

II.    The uses of the present perfect simple tense:

1.      To emphasize on the result of a past action without mentioning the actual time when it happened:

Examples:

            ·         I have met that girl before.

            ·         We have discussed this issue a few times.

2.      Action performed in a period that has not finished yet (the same day, week, month, etc.):

Examples:

            ·         Have you seen Lacy today? (The day is not over yet.)

            ·         I have had several tests this month. (The month has not finished

                  yet.)

3.      Action that started in the past and has continued until now. Often used with since (indicating the beginning of action) or for (indicating the duration of action):

Examples:

            ·         They have lived here for ten years.

            ·         I have not seen her since we left high school.

            ·         Clare and John have known each other since they were at primary

                  school.

4.      It is used to indicate completed activities in the immediate past (with just).

Example:

"He has just taken the medicine."

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