Idioma extranjero VII

Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

Objective
In this session you will be able to review the use of present perfect tense. You will practice how to ask
and answer questions in present perfect and the appropriate way to express ideas with this structure.

You should be able to express yourself appropriately by using Present Perfect tense in an effective
and efficient way to express thoughts and ideas in affirmative, negative and interrogative ways.

Introduction
Present perfect is one of the most important English verb tenses. This structure can be easily
confused due to the use of auxiliaries or helping verbs.

Present perfect is used to talk about something in the past that is connected to the present. The use
of it will allow you to describe what happened in different contexts and topics.

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Universidad Tecnológica Santa Catarina

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Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

3.1 Present Perfect

Some people may think that present perfect tense is one of the most difficult tenses to learn for
intermediate level English learners.

It can be summarized in three main uses:

1. To describe or tell events that began in the past and continues into the present.

They’ve lived in Chicago since 1995.

2. To speak in general about experience

Sean has been to Mexico City many times.

3. To speak about recent events that somehow influenced the present.

I’ve already eaten lunch.

3.1.1 Structure of sentence

Subject + Have/Has + (Not or Never) + Past Participle + Object

• We have studied.

• We have not studied.

Contractions:

Have + Not = haven’t

Has + Not = hasn’t

QUESTIONS:

Have/Has + Subject + Past Participle + Object

• Have you been to Texas?

• Has she eaten snails?

Answers:

• Yes, I have.

• No, I haven’t.

• Yes, she has.

• No, she hasn’t

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Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

3.1.2 Uses
Present Perfect can be used to describe your experience.

It means: “I have the experience of...”

You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect
is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

• I have worked in sales.

This sentence means that you have had the experience of working in sales.

• I have been to France three times.

You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.

• I have never ridden a motorcycle.

This sentence means that you have not had the experience riding a motorcycle.

• I think we have met.

• My familyhas never traveled by plain.
• Shehas studied a foreign language.

Actions in the past with no specific time.

The time is unknown or not important.

• I have been there.

• They have watched that movie.

Present Perfect is used differently than Simple Past

• They have been to New York. (No time)

• They went to New York last year. (Time)

You can use Present perfect with ever, never, once, several times, a few times, still, yet, already

Examples:

• I have eaten sushi yesterday. (incorrect)

• I have eaten sushi 3 times. (correct)

• She has learned English 3 years ago. (incorrect)

• She has never learned English. (correct)

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Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

3.1.3 Experience
Present perfect is also used to describe or tell experiences in life in general.

Examples:

• She’s workedat many places.

• Have you ever been to New Jersey?
• They’ve never seen a lion.
3.1.4 Unfinished actions
Ever is used with the present perfect to ask if something has happened in someone’s life, never is
used with the present perfect to state that something has never happened in a person’s life up until
the present moment in time.

• Have you ever visited Europe?

• Have they ever eaten Sushi?
• She’s never traveled outside the country.
• Tim has never seen a satellite.

Structure

Conjugate the verb ‘have’ (have or has) past participle.

Regular verbs end in -ed. If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ied.

Irregular verbs must be studied.

I
You
have lived in Seattle since 1978.
We
They
He
She has worked for many years.
It

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• Educación a Distancia •
Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

Conjugate the verb ‘have’ (have or has) not past participle.

Regular verbs end in -ed. If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ied.

Irregular verbs must be studied. See chart for most common irregular verbs.

I
You
haven’t seen Tom.
We
They
He
She hasn’t left yet.
It

Conjugate the verb ‘have’ (have or has) Subject past participle.

Regular verbs end in -ed. If the verb ends in -y preceded by a consonant, change the -y to -ied.

Irregular verbs must be studied. See for most common irregular verbs.

I
You
Have been to Paris?
We
They
He
Has She finished yet?
It

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Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

3.1.6 Time expressions

The following expressions are used with the present perfect.

FOR + (a period of time)

SINCE + (an exact point in time)

ever, never, yet, already, this week

Already

Meaning at some time before now, maybe earlier than expected

Position in sentence. Before participle or at end of sentence

Example:

• I have already eaten.

• I have eaten already.

Yet

Meaning at some time before now (in questions and negative statements)

Position in sentence. End of question or at end of sentence

Example:

•Have you eaten yet?

•I haven’t eaten yet.

Ever

Meaning at any time before now (in questions and negative statements)

Position in sentence. Before participle in question or negative sentence

Example:

• Have you evertraveled?

• I haven’t ever traveled.

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Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

Never

Meaning at no time before now

Position in sentence. Before participle

Example:

• I have nevertraveled.

Still

Meaning continuing up to now

Position in sentence. Before have or has

Example:

• I still haven’t eaten.

Recently

Meaning not long ago

Position in sentence. Before participle or at the beginning or end of sentence

Example:

• He has recently traveled a lot.

• He has traveled a lot recently.

• Recently, he has traveled a lot.

Just

Meaning a very short time ago

Position in sentence. Before participle

Example:

• He has just eaten.

Many times, several times, two times, etc.

Meaning repeated in the past

Position in sentence. End of sentence

Example:

•I have eaten in that restaurant many times.

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Idioma extranjero VII
Session 3 Present Perfect saber hacer para competir

Conclusión
During this session were viewed the present perfect tense; it is used for things that have
happened until this moment. It is used to describe events that may still be in progress.

Correct usage of this structure broadens your comprehension and knowledge.

Glossary
Allow: to permit (something) : to regard or treat (something) as acceptable.

Appropriate: right or suited for some purpose or situation.

Context: the interrelated conditions in which something exists or occurs.

Forgive: to stop feeling anger toward (someone who has done something wrong) : to stop blaming
(someone).

Plaster: a piece f material that is put on the skin over a small wound.

Profit: money that is made in a business, through investing, etc., after all the costs. and expenses
are paid : a financial gain.

Several: more than two but not very many.

Suitable: satisfying propriety.

Usage: firmly established and generally accepted practice or procedure.

Weight: a measurement that indicates how heavy a person or thing is.

Bibliographic references
Murphy, R. (1985). English Grammar in Use. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Fuchs, M. (2009). Longman Focus on Grammar 3 - 3rd EditionAn Integrated Skill Approach. United
States: Pearson Longman

McCarthy, M. (2008). Touchstone 2 Fill Contact.Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

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