english grammar - present perfect

The Present PerfectWhen do we use it?

1. To describe an action which began in the past and continues to the present moment.

FuturePast

Present

Charlie has lived in Japan since 2012.

2012 AND he is still living in Japan today!

The Present Perfect

Huh ? Confused ?

Let’s see more examples!

The Present Perfect

How long have you played the piano?

-I have played the piano for 5 years.

FuturePast

Present1st pianolesson 5 years

Also: I have been playing the piano for 5 years.

How long have you played the piano?

-I have played the piano for 5 years.

The Present Perfect

How long have you worked at your job?

I have worked at Toyota since 2009.

FuturePast

Present1st day at

Toyota in 2009

Also: I have been working at Toyota since 2009.

How long have you worked at your job?

I have worked at Toyota since 2009.

The Present PerfectWhen do we use it?2. To talk about general past experiences without saying exactly when.

Have you ever been to Las Vegas?- Yeah, I’ve been there a few times. Have you ever been to Las Vegas?

Have you ever met anyone famous?

- Yeah, I went there in 1999.- Yeah, I went there in 1999.

Have you ever broken a bone?

Past Simple!

The Present PerfectWhen do we use it?

3. To describe a past action which has consequences on the present moment.

George has lost his passport!

(It happened just a few moments ago and he is probably looking for it now!)

George lost his passport!

1st columnInfinitive

2nd ColumnSimple Past

3rd ColumnPast Participle

Go Went GoneEat Ate EatenSee Saw Seen

Have + Past Participle

Have + Past Participle

• I have already seen that movie a dozen times. • Enough! You’ve eaten 3 donuts this morning.• He has recently been to China. • She has just moved into a new apartment.• The weather has been nice so far today.• We have known each other for a long time. • They have been married since 1955.

+

The Present Perfect

Time Markers• Since / For• Already (+)• Yet (- / ? )• Ever • Still

• Just / Recently / Lately• Until now / So Far• Today

This morning This week This month

Have + Past Participle

• I have already seen that movie a dozen times. • Enough! You’ve eaten 3 donuts this morning.• He has recently been to China. • She has just moved into a new apartment.• The weather has been nice so far today.• We have known each other for a long time. • They have been married since 1955.

+

Negative Form

• I have not seen that movie yet. • You haven’t eaten enough! Please have more. • He hasn’t been to China before. • She hasn’t moved into her new apartment yet.• The weather hasn’t been so nice so far.• We haven’t known each other for very long. • They haven’t had their wedding yet.

?• Have you seen that movie yet? • Have you eaten enough? • Have you been to China before? • Has she moved into her new apartment yet?• How has the weather been so far?• How long have they known each other? • How long have they been married?

Interrogative Form

Present Perfect Continuous

Have + been + (verb + ing) I have been living in New York for 10 years. You’ve been watching too much TV. Go outside!He’s been waiting for 2 hours! She has been thinking a lot about her future lately.It’s been raining for 3 days. We’ve been working on this project since September! They’ve been spying on us the whole time.

Discussion Questions 1: Present Perfect Continuous form

• How long have you been working at your current job?

• Do you have a hobby? How long have you been doing this hobby?

• Where do you live? How long have you been living there?

Discussion Questions 2: Experiences• Have you ever been on TV or had your name in the

newspaper?• Have you ever fired a gun? • Have you ever driven an expensive sports car?• Have you ever given a speech in public?• What is the best movie you have ever seen?• What’s the most expensive restaurant experience

that you have ever had? • Who has visited the most countries?• What’s the most beautiful place you have ever

visited?• Have you ever hitchhiked?