Universidade Católica de Moçambique

Instituto de Educação de Ensino a Distancia

Present perfect simple tense (1) Basic information

Josefa Luis Janete

Código do estudante: 708221476

Beira, Agosto de 2022

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 Universidade Católica de Moçambique
Instituto de Educação de Ensino a Distancia

Present perfect simple tense (1) Basic information

Josefa Luis Janete

Código do estudante: 708221476

Curso: Licenciatura em Ensino de Portugues

Disciplina: Ingles
Ano de frequência: 1º Ano
Turma: C

Docente:
Dr: Crispino Lino Albino

Beira, Agosto de 2022

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Indice
Affirmative sentences.................................................................................................5

Negative of the present perfect tense.........................................................................6

Interrogative sentences...............................................................................................6

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Introduction

The present perfect verb tense is a little difficult in English, it is used in several different
ways, and there are lots of rules to remember. The present perfect is often used for an
action that started at some time in the past and is still continuing now. In this case, the
words for (with a length or period of time) and since (with a specific starting time) are
usually used with the present perfect. He has lived in Canada for five years.

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Present perfect simple tense (1) Basic information

1.1. 1. Forms

According to Swan (2005:438), the present perfect simple is formed by: Subject +
have/has + the past participle of the main verb.

e.g. I have broken my glasses

Have you finished?

She hasn’t phoned

1.1.2. Finished events connected with the present

We use the present perfect especially to say that a finished action or event is connected
with the present in some way. If we say that something has happened, we are thinking
about the past and the present at the same time.

e.g. I can’t go on holiday because I have broken my leg. (Not: I can’t go on holiday
because I broke my leg).

We could often change a present perfect sentence into a present sentence with a similar
meaning.

I’ve broken my leg – My leg is broken now.

Have you read the Bible? – Do you know the Bible?

Some fool has left the cat in – The cat is in.

Mary has had a baby – Mary now has a baby.

The present perfect is often used to express the idea of completion or achievement.

e.g. At last, I have finished.

Have you done all the houseworks?

We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking about the present.

e.g. Ive travelled in Africa a lot. (I know Africa).

1.2. Finished events: news

We normally use the present perfect to announce news of recent events.

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e.g. Maria has won a big prize.

Have you heard? Uncle George has crashed the car again.

Here are main points of the news: The pound has fallen against the dollar. The Prime
Minister has said that the government’s economic policies are working. The number of
unemployed has reached five million.

1.2. Time words: ever, before, recently etc.

When we talk about finished events with words that mean ‘at some/ any time up to
now’ (like ever, before, never, yet, recently, lately, already), we normally use the
present perfect.

e.g. Have you ever seen a ghost?

I’m sure we’ve met before.

We haven’t seen Beth recently.

She’s never said ‘sorry’ in her life.

Has the postman come yet?

1.3. Repetition up to now. I’ve written six letters…

When can use the present perfect to say that something has happened several times up
to the present

e.g. I’ve written six letters since lunchtime.

Adverbs of frequency like often, sometimes, occasionally are common with the present
perfect.

e.g. How often have you been in love in your life?

I’ve sometimes thought of moving to Australia

1.4. Continuation up to now. I’ve known her for years

To talk about actions and situations that continued up to the present, both the simple
present perfect and the present perfect progressive are possible (depending on the kind
of the verb and the exact meaning)

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e.g. I’ve known her for years

I’ve been thinking about you all day

2. Present perfect (2): Perfect or past

2.1.1 Thinking about past and present together

Murphy (2019:16) states that, we use the present perfect if we are thinking about the
past and the present together. We do not use the present perfect if we are not thinking
about the present.

e.g. We’ve studied enough to pass the exam (The exam is still to come).

Ann and Peter have got married. (News).

My sister has learnt French.

We do not use the present perfect in story-telling

e.g. once upon a time a beautiful princess fell in love with a poor farmer. (Not: has
fallen)

2.1.2. Finished-time words: present perfect not used

We do not use the present perfect words that refer to a completely finished period of
time, like yesterday, last week, then, when, three years ago, in 1970. This is because the
present perfect focuses on the present, and words like these focus on the past, so they
contradict each other.

e.g. compare

have you seen Lucy anywhere

I saw Lucy yesterday. (Not: I’ve seen Lucy yesterday)

2.1.3. ever, before, recentely etc

But with words that mean ‘at some/ any time up to now’ (like ever, before, never, yet,
recently, already), we normally use the present perfect.

e.g. Have you ever been to Chicago?

I’ve seen this film before.

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2.1.3. Time not mentioned

We use the present perfect when we are thinking of a period of ‘time up to now’ enven
if we do not mention it.

e.g. have you seen ‘Romeo and Juliet’? (= have you ever seen it? Or have you seen the
present production?).

You have done a lot for me. (… up to now).

On the other hand, we do not use the present perfect when we are thinking of a
particular finished time, even if we do not mention it.

e.g. did you see ‘Romeo and Juliet’? (it was on TV last night.)

2.1.4. news and details

We normally use the present perfect to announce news.

But when we give more details, we usually change to the past tense

e.g. Joe has passed his exam! He got 85%.

3. Forming the present perfect simple

The present perfect of any verb is composed of two elements: the appropriate form of
the auxiliary verb to have (present tense), plus the past participle of the main verb. The
past participle of a regular verb is base+ed, e.g. played, arrived, looked. Irregular verbs
do not end in –ed to master these verbs the students should study the table of irregular
verbs. (Hewings, 2007:10)

In the present perfect tense third form of the verb is used. (has, have) are used as
helping verbs. “Has” is used with 3rd person singular and singular nouns. “have” is used
with 1st and 2nd persons and all plural nouns.
Affirmative sentences 
For affirmative sentences, the following sentence pattern is used. Has and have are used
as helping verbs. The third form of the verb is used.

Formation
Sub + helping verb (has, have) + 3rd form of verb + object.

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Examples:
 I have taken a bath.
 Ali has eaten a meal.
 They have won the match.
 She has run fast.
Negative of the present perfect tense
When we have to make negative sentences, we use “not” after helping verb.

Formation
Sub + helping verb (has, have) + not + 3rd form of verb + object.

Examples:
 We have not taken a bath.
 Mano has not eaten a meal.
 They have not won the match.
 He has not run fast.
 You have not done your work.
Interrogative sentences
In the case of interrogative sentences, the helping verb (has, have) is placed at the start
of the sentence. And a question mark is added at the end.

Formation
helping verb ( has, have) + Sub + 3rd form of verb + object + ?

Examples:
 Have I taken a bath?
 Has Ali eaten a meal?
 Have they won the match?
 Has she run fast?
 Have I done my work?
 Have we packed our luggage?
 Has she swept the room?

4. Uses of the present perfect

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 The present perfect is used to describe

 An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. I have
lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
 An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. She has been to the
cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
 A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. We have
visited Portugal several times.
 An action that was completed in the very recent past, expressed by 'just'. I have just
finished my work.
 An action when the time is not important. He has read 'War and Peace'. (= the
result of his reading is important)

Note: When we want to give or ask details about when, where, who, we use the simple
past. Read more about choosing between the present perfect and the simple past
tenses.
Actions started in the past and continuing in the present

 They haven't lived here for years.

 She has worked in the bank for five years.
 We have had the same car for ten years.
 Have you played the piano since you were a child?

When the time period referred to has not finished

 I have worked hard this week.

 It has rained a lot this year.
 We haven't seen her today.

Actions repeated in an unspecified period between the past and now.

 They have seen that film six times

 It has happened several times already.
 She has visited them frequently.

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 We have eaten at that restaurant many times.

Actions completed in the very recent past (+just)

 Have you just finished work?

 I have just eaten.
 We have just seen her.
 Has he just left?

When the precise time of the action is not important or not known

 Someone has eaten my soup!

 Have you seen 'Gone with the Wind'?
 She's studied Japanese, Russian, and English.

Rules to Remember!

a. Usually for can be omitted.  The meaning does not change.  

 James has known how to repair computers a long time.

b. When using for and a specific amount of time (one week, three years),

you can use the words the past after for. 
 We have lived here for the past 10 years.
You can usually remove the for if you use the past.
 We have lived here the past 10 years.

c. Ever is often used in present perfect questions.  Ever means "at any time

before now."  Ever is usually not used in answers.
 Have you ever seen a falling star?
d. Never is often used in negative present perfect answers.
 I have never seen a falling star.

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Conclusion and considerations

The present perfect simple is used to indicate a link between the present and the past.
The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested
in the result than in the action itself. From the perspective of an ESL teacher who speaks
English as her native language, the correct use of the present perfect tense sets you
apart from other ESL learners. In fact, it's a critical component in making you an
advanced English speaker. Some students who struggle with the present perfect tense
have a tendency to avoid it and opt for the past tense instead. However, this can be
risky. When you use the past tense, you might be changing your intended meaning or
leaving out an important element of the story. 

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Bibliography

Hewings. M., (2007) Advanced Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press

Murphy, R., (2019) Grammar in Use. Cambridge University Press

Swan, M., (2005) Practical English Usage. Oxford University Press

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