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PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

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WHAT DO YOU NEED
THE PRESENT PERFECT FOR ?

• to tell what you have done recently/ lately.

• to tell what you have just or already done.
• to tell what you have never/ ever done.
• to tell what you have done today/ this week/ this month/ this year.
HOW
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CAN YOU FORM
THE PRESENT PERFECT?

Positive I, you , w e , th ey, h ave don e

sen ten ce h e, she, it, h as work ed

N egative I, you , w e , th ey, h aven ’t d on e

sen ten ce h e, she, it, h asn ’t w ork ed
Qu estion H ave I, you ,w e, th ey, don e?
H as h e, sh e, it work ed ?
TIME EXPRESSIONS USED
WITH THE PRESENT PERFECT
TENSE
 FOR - SINCE
(used as prepositions in sentences with a
verb in the present perfect tense expressing
that an action still goes on)

• FOR: A period of time

Bono has performed on stage for 20 years.

• SINCE: The moment when the action started

I haven’t seen Mary since last week.
 ALREADY - YET
(used as adverbs in sentences with a verb in the present
perfect tense when we are talking about personal
experiences)

• ALREADY: Sooner than expected (affirmative sentences and

some questions)
They’ve already sold 12 million bands.
Have you already done your homework?
Mid position (before main verb)

• YET: The speaker is expecting something to happen (negative

sentences and questions)
He hasn’t found a sponsor yet.
End position (end of sentence)
Has the programme started yet?
 OTHER TIME EXPRESSIONS
USED WITH THE PRESENT
PERFECT TENSE:
(In sentences with a verb in the present perfect tense when
we are talking about personal experiences)

• JUST: Only a moment ago

The train has just left.
Mid position (before main verb)
• EVER: At any time
Have you ever done any charity challenges?
We haven’t ever eaten in this restaurant.
Mid position (before main verb)
• NEVER: At no time
I’ve never been there.
Mid position (before main verb)
• RECENTLY: At a time immediately before the present
Has Janet talked to him recently?
Usually, end position
• LATELY: Not long ago
Have you seen her lately?
Usually, end position
• ONCE: One time
I’ve been to London once in my life.
Usually, towards the end of sentence
• TWICE: Two times
I’ve been to London twice in my life.
Usually, towards the end of sentence
• THREE TIMES...:
I’ve been to Paris three times in the last 5 years.
Usually, towards the end of sentence
QUESTIONS

• How long have you taught English at Secondary School?

I have taught English at Secondary School for 18 years.
• Since when have you taught English at Secondary School?
I have taught English at Secondary School since 1992.