THE PRESENT

PERFECT TENSE

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Read the following conversation:
Jan: Have you been to a Jazz Club?
Todd: Yes, I have been to several.
Answer the following statements T (true) or F (false)
1. Jan wants to know WHEN Toddwent to a Jazz Club. _____
2. Todd went to the Club before she talked to Jan.
_____
3. Todd tells Jan EXACTLY WHEN she went to the Club. _____
Choose the alternative to describe the use of the Present
Perfect Tense:
We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about actions or situations
that happened in (A SPECIFIC/ AN UNSPECIFIED) time in the past.

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

We may use several expressions with the
Present Perfect Tense to give an approximate
idea of time, but not a specific one:
Lately

Recently

This [week]

So far

Have you been to a Jazz Club lately?

She has been to three Jazz Clubs this month.
So far, Ive taken a riverboat tour and ridden a street
car.

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE YET / ALREADY

Read the following conversation:
Jan: Have you guys been to a Jazz Club yet?
Todd: Yes, I have already been to several.
Carl: No, I havent been to one yet.
1. We use YET in questions to suggest that someone do something.
Adam: Have you guys been to a Jazz Club yet? (Go to one, its great!)
2. We use ALREADY in affirmative statements only to give emphasis.
Beth: Yes, I have already been to several. (or I have been to several.)
3. We use YET in negative statements to say that we plan to do
something.
Carl: No, I havent been to one yet (but I plan to go).

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Questions:

O?

What have you done recently?

Have you been to a Jazz Club?
Has Carl taken a riverboat tour?
Affirmative:

O.

The main verb is

always in the Past
Participle Form:
Do Did Done
Take Took Taken

I have ridden a streetcar recently (Ive riden).

Jan has
been to a Jazz Club recently. (Shes been).
Negative:

A (not)

I
have not taken
Todd
has not
hasnt)

O.
a riverboat tour. (I havent)
ridden a streetcar recently. (He