How can you talk about your life experiences without saying exactly when they happened? The present perfect is a special tense that connects the past to the present, perfect for sharing what you’ve done in your life or what you’ve accomplished recently. ✈️
Function & Usage
We use the present perfect to talk about actions where the connection to the present is more important than the specific time of the action.
- Life Experiences: To talk about things you have or have not done in your life. The exact time is not important.
Example: She has traveled to many countries. I have never eaten sushi. - Unfinished Time Periods: For actions that happened in a period of time that is not over yet (like today, this week, this year).
Example: I have drunk three cups of coffee today. (Today is not finished). - Recent Past with Present Result: For a recent action that has a result now.
Example: I have lost my keys. (The result is I can’t get into my house now).
The Structure (Form)
The structure always uses an auxiliary verb (have or has) and the past participle of the main verb. For regular verbs, the past participle is the same as the past simple (verb + ed), but irregular verbs have special forms (e.g., see → seen, go → gone).
| Subject | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | have + past participle | We have finished. |
| He / She / It | has + past participle | He has left. |
| Negative (-) | have/has + not (haven’t/hasn’t) + past participle | I haven’t seen it. |
| Question (?) | Have/Has + Subject + past participle? | Have you eaten? |
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using it with a finished time: Never use the present perfect with specific past time words like ‘yesterday’, ‘last week’, or ‘in 2010’. Incorrect: “I have seen that movie yesterday.” Correct: “I saw that movie yesterday.” (Use Past Simple).
- Forgetting the past participle: Always use the third form of the verb. Incorrect: “She has went to the store.” Correct: “She has gone to the store.”
Let’s see it in action! 🎬
Person A: Have you ever been to Italy?
Person B: No, I haven’t. But my brother has been there twice.
Manager: Have you finished the report for this week?
Employee: Yes, I have just sent it to you.
Person A: I’m hungry. I haven’t eaten anything today.
Person B: Let’s get some lunch. Oh no, I have lost my wallet!
Check Your Understanding! ✅
1. I that museum before. (visit)
2. She two books this year. (write)
3. We a ghost. (never see)
4. He his homework. (finish)
5. They us yet. (not call)
6. ___ you ever eaten Thai food?
7. He ___ to the new Star Wars movie.
8. I ___ my coffee this morning.
9. My parents ___ in this house for 20 years.
10. She ___ that book yet.
