Matières
Niveaux
Present Perfect
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1-5
Present Perfect: Uses
Present Perfect Uses
The present perfect expresses:
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Present result
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past action with present result
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recently finished action
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Unfinished time
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past action not yet finished
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time period still going on
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Indefinite time
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past actions at unspecified time
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repeated past actions
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Present results
Florence the explorer has discovered a new bird species.
She has tried to print it as a 3D model.
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Unfinished time
Birds have been her favourite animals since she was a kid.
Today, she has seen the bird six times.
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Indefinite time
Florence has written three books on birds in the last few years.
“I have taken a lot of bird pictures in my career.”
Some keywords and phrases are often used with the present perfect.
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Present Perfect vs. Simple Past
Present perfect expresses:
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Present result
She has fallen in the water.
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present result → She is now wet.
Simple past expresses:
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Past action
She fell in the water.
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not connected to the present
Present perfect expresses:
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Unfinished time
Simple past expresses:
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Finished time
I have worked 60 hours this week.
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60 hours done
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the week isn't finished
I worked 60 hours this week.
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60 hours completed
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the week is over
Present perfect expresses:
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Indefinite time
She has been here before.
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specific time is not mentioned
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she knows the place
Simple past expresses:
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Specific time
She was here last week.
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specific time → last week
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she isn’t at the location anymore
Present Perfect: Affirmative Form
Points to remember when forming affirmative sentences in the present perfect
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Use the past participle form of the verb.
“I have bought a new camera.”
“I've bought* a new camera.”
She has researched her subject for hours.
She's researched* her subject for hours.
She has packed her suitcase.
She's packed* her suitcase.
*Affirmative contraction form
Present Perfect: Negative Form
Points to remember when forming negative sentences in the present perfect
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Use the auxiliary has/have.
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Place the function word not between the auxiliary and the verb.
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Use the past participle verb form.
“I have not flown 1st class before.”
“I haven't flown* 1st class before.”
Florence has not enjoyed the turbulence during the flight.
Florence hasn’t enjoyed* the turbulence during the flight.
“Poor dear, you have not eaten anything during the whole flight.”
“Poor dear, you haven’t eaten* anything during the whole flight.”
*Negative contraction form
Present Perfect: Question Form
Points to remember when forming questions in the present perfect
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Start with the auxiliary has/have for yes/no questions.
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Use the past participle verb form.
For information questions only:
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Start with a question word.
“Have you visited Cat Island?”
“What have you bought?”
Have you forgotten the keys in the car again?