You are on page 1of 7

Present Perfect Tense is used in the following situations:

1. When we are talking about present consequences of the activity which happened in the past.
She's opened the window. 
I've read that book. 
He's watched that film.
2. When we are talking about activities which started in the past and continue until now.
I've lived in London since 2006. 
He has been here since I came. 
She has known him for 20 years. 
He hasn't been ill for ten years.
3. When we are talking about activities which happened within the period of time with its end now.
I haven't touched that book for 10 days. 
I have been to England frequently since 1996. 
He has painted a lot of portraits since he left Paris.
4. When we are talking about activities or situations which finish at the time of speaking or just before it. It refers mainly to negative
sentences.
I haven't seen you for ages. 
I've never heard anything like it.
5. Present Perfect Tense is used when it replaces Future Perfect Tense in time clauses.
When you have worked with us for ten years, we'll give you a company car
Present Perfect diagram

We use Present Perfect Tense when we are talking about activities which happened in the past but their results are visible now.

The lift has broken down. 

I've washed the car.

When we are talking about activities which have happened a specific number of times within pre-present period of time e.g. today, this morning, this
year etc.

He has rung up three times this morning already.


When we are talking about activities which started in the past and continue until now.

He has been in the army for two years.

I have smoked since I left school.


Present Perfect Tense is built with have or has (only in the third person singular) and past participle. 
Past participle = the third column in the box with irregular verbs, or infinitive + -d, -ed.

Form
  Affirmative sentences Short forms

I I have written a letter. I've written a letter.

you You have written a letter. You've written a letter.

he He has written a letter. He's written a letter.

she She has written a letter. She's written a letter.

it It has written a letter. It's written a letter.

we We have written a letter. We've written a letter.


you You have written a letter. You've written a letter.

they They have written a letter They've written a letter.

  Negative sentences Short forms

I I have not written a letter. I haven't written a letter.

you You have not written a letter. You haven't written a letter.

he He has not written a letter. He hasn't written a letter.

she She has not written a letter. She hasn't written a letter.

it It has not written a letter. It hasn't written a letter.

we We have not written a letter. We haven't written a letter.

you You have not written a letter. You haven't written a letter.

they They have not written a letter. They haven't written a letter.

  Questions  

I Have I written a letter?  


you Have you written a letter?  

he Has he written a letter?  

she Has she written a letter?  

it Has it written a letter?  

we Have we written a letter?  

you Have you written a letter?  

they Have they written a letter?

You might also like