Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect

In English, the present perfect is essencially a present tense, but it also expresses the effect of past actions on the present.

Past

Present perfect

Present

Present perfect = before now Present perfect does not express when an action happened. I have traveled to all seven continents. I travelled around Africa in 1998.

3. We make the present perfect tense with has/ have + the

Past Participle.

I/ be to Paris They/ be to Paris She/ be to Paris. You/ be to Paris.

I havent been to Paris.

They havent been to Paris. She hasnt been to Paris.
You havent been to Paris.

I have been to Paris.

They have been to Paris. She has been to Paris. You have been to Paris. Shes been to Paris.

She/ be to Paris.

She hasnt been to Paris.

Infinitive
eat see meet drink fly make take drive cook buy give win have stay go

Past simple
ate saw met drank flew made took drove cooked bought gave won had stayed went

Past participle
eaten seen met drunk flown made taken driven cooked bought given won had stayed gone

Use - The present perfect expresses:

# 1 Action that began in the past and still continues ( unfinished past)

Weve lived in the same house for three years. Peters worked as a teacher since 2000. How long have you known each other? Theyve been married for 20 years.

Note In Portuguese we express this idea with a present tense, but in English this is wrong. Peter has worked as a teacher since 2002. Peter has been working as teacher for ten years. NOT Peter is a teacher for ten years. Peter has been teaching for ten years.

These time expressions are common with this use.

For two years a month A few minutes For 1970

The end of the class

Since August 8:00 Christmas

Half na hour
ages

Use the present perfect expresses:

# 2 Experience that happened at some time in ones life. Before now. The effect of the action is relevant in the present.

Ive been to the US. ( I still remember, its relevant, important for me) Shes written many books. ( in her ongoing writing career) Have you ever had surgery?

Questions and answers about definite times are expressed in the past simple.
When did you go to the US? When was her first book published? Yes, I have had surgery. I broke my leg once,but I didnt have to stay in the hospital.

Use the present perfect expresses:

#3 A past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.
The taxi hasnt arrived yet. ( Were still waiting for it.)

Ive cut my finger. ( It is still bleeding.)

Use the present perfect expresses:

# 4 We often announce news in the present perfect to enphasize the event as a present fact.

Have you heard? The president has announced a new project. Susans had her baby! Ive ruined the meal!
Details about definite time will be in the simple present. He announced because there will be an election this year. She had a baby boy this morning. I left the kitchen for a while.

Now you!

How long have you lived in the same house? How long have you had your present job? Have you been to interesting places this year?

Have you ever had a beautiful dream? Have you ever been in love? Have you ever wanted to be someone else? Have you ever been abroad? Have you ever tried a radical sport? Have you ever read a great book?