The present perfect

The present perfect

1. Formation of the present perfect
1. 1 Formation of the present perfect

Present perfect = present tense of the verb to have + past participle

AFFIRMATIVE I have looked he/she has slept we have worked

QUESTION (+) Have I looked? Has he/she slept? Have we worked?

NEGATIVE I havent looked he/she hasnt slept we havent worked

QUESTION (-) Havent I looked? Hasnt he/she slept? Havent we worked?

2. Use of the present perfect

2.1 Unspecified time before now.

?
PAST
Eg:

PRESENT

FUTURE

Have you ever been in Paris? I've already seen that film. I don't want to see it again. I think Ive met him before.

It doesnt matter when someone does something!

You can use the present perfect with expressions like: ever, never, once, before, already, yet, several times, often, lately, so far, still not, rarely,

The present perfect

You cannot use the present perfect with expressions like: yesterday, last week, that day, five years ago, 2.2 Finished action in an unfinished period.

Period of time

PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE

Eg:

I have seen him (FINISHED ACTION) this evening (UNFINISHED PERIOD this evening has not yet ended!).

means that

She has watched (FINISHED ACTION) the film this weekend. (UNFINISHED PERIOD means that this weekend has not yet ended!)

You can use the present perfect with expressions like: this week, this morning, this winter, if these periods have not yet ended. These periods are called unfinished periods.

2.3 Actions that started in the past and are still continuing.

PAST
Eg:

PRESENT

FUTURE

Paul has not finished his homework. We have lived in the United States for seven years. ( States seven years ago and we are still living there) we started living in the United

FOR = length of time

the action has continued up to now.

for: one year, ages, a weekend, a month,

The present perfect

You have worked at the Bank since 2000. ( you are still working there) you started working at the bank in 2000, and

SINCE = starting time, a precise moment in time then until now. since: Christmas, 1987, seven oclock

the action has continued from

2.4 Actions that happened in the past but have an effect in the present.

PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE

Eg:

Ive not passed my driving test. (= consequently, Im not allowed to drive a car) They have studied English. (= consequently, they know English)

2.5 Actions that happened in the immediate past.

PAST

PRESENT

FUTURE

Eg:

She has just arrived. Hi! We have come to see you! I have just finished my work.

Just is an expression that you can use with the present perfect. It describes an action completed in the immediate past.

The present perfect 3. Gone and been

Note the difference between gone and been: Jack has gone to Canada. Alice has been to Canada. Jack is in Canada now. Alice has been to Canada and come back.