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Present Perfect Tense: Definition and examples
While playing a huge role in our day-to-day conversations, learning to use the present perfect tense correctly can sometimes leave us scratching our heads.
Also, adding fuel to the already confusing fire is its name - present perfect tense. If the present perfect tense is used to describe something that happened or started in the past, why does it have the word ‘present’ in the name?
In this article, we’ll show you everything you need to know about the present perfect tense so that be it talking or writing, you can use it in every situation - perfectly.
What’s Present Perfect Tense
Simply put, the present perfect tense is an English verb tense used to describe actions that were completed at some point in the past but still have an impact or significance in the present.
It’s easily recognisable. Often formed by combining the present tense of the auxiliary verb 'have' (or "has" for third-person singular subjects) with the past participle of the main verb.
Past Simple vs Present Perfect
Before diving into the different ways to use the Present Perfect Tense, let’s get this frequently asked question out of the way.
While both present perfect and past simple refer to past action and can often be used interchangeably, they actually serve different functions.
Past Simple: Commonly used to describe an action that took place at a definite time in the past and will not continue into the present.
Present Perfect: Commonly used to describe an action that occurred in the past and is continuing into or has an effect on the present.
| Past Simple | Present Perfect |
|---|---|
| I watched a movie yesterday. | I have seen that movie before. |
| She visited Paris last summer. | She has visited Paris. |
| They finished their homework an hour ago. | They have just finished their homework. |
* Bonus Tip:
You should never use the present perfect tense with a specific time. Using it with a general time range is fine, but never with a specific time.
Eg. I have gone for a bike ride on Friday (Wrong)
Eg. I went for a bike ride on Friday (Correct)
Eg. I have gone for a bike ride every Friday this year (Correct)
Forming Statements
For general sentences, the most commonly used auxiliary verbs are ‘have’ and ‘has’ plus the past participle of the main verb.
Eg. She has studied Spanish for five years.
The use of ‘has studied’ indicates that the action of studying Spanish started in the past (five years ago) and continues up to the present moment. The use of ‘for five years’ emphasises the duration of the action, and the present perfect tense highlights the ongoing relevance of this activity.
Eg. I have never visited that museum before.
The use of ‘never’ indicates that the action of visiting the museum hasn't happened at any point up until now.
Forming Negatives
Need to describe actions that have not happened up until the present moment? Use the present perfect tense in the negative. Simply add the negative word such as ‘not’ or ‘never’ after the auxiliary verb
[have/has] + [negative] + [past participle]
Eg. Johnny has not slept well since school started.
The negative word ‘not’ is placed after the auxiliary verb (has) and before the past participle of the main verb (slept).
Eg. I have never seen a full rainbow.
The negative word ‘never’ is placed after the auxiliary verb (have) and before the past participle of the main verb (seen).
Forming Questions
When forming questions in the present perfect tense, use the auxiliary verb ‘have’ (in its different forms) before the subject, followed by the past participle of the main verb.
[have/has] + [subject] + [past participle]
Eg. Have you taken your medicine yet?
The subject (you) is placed after the auxiliary verb (have) and before the past participle of the main verb (taken).
Eg. Has the concert started?
The subject (concert) is placed after the auxiliary verb (has) and before the past participle of the main verb (started).
Using Present Perfect Tense With Adverbs
We use the Present Perfect Tense with adverbs to provide more specific information about the timing, frequency, or manner of actions that have a connection to the present moment. Adverbs are typically placed between the auxiliary verb ‘have’ or ‘has’ and the past participle of the main verb.
[have/has] + [adverb] + [past participle]
Eg. He has never tasted sushi in his life.
Here, ‘never’ is the adverb that gives extra information. It tells us that he hasn't tried sushi at any point in his life leading up to now.
Eg. We have already seen that movie twice.
In this example, ‘already’ is the adverb that provides more detail. It indicates that the action of seeing the movie has happened before now, and not just once but two times.
Using Present Perfect Tense In Passive Voice
I'm sure you would've heard this advice many times by now. If you've a choice, always stick with active voice. However, you can’t avoid using passive voice entirely. So, learning to use present perfect tense in the passive voice is important.
Using the Present Perfect Tense in the passive voice involves constructing sentences where the subject of the action becomes the receiver of the action, and the focus is on the result or impact of the action rather than who performed it. It typically has the auxiliary verb ‘have’ (in its different forms) followed by the past participle of the main verb, and then adding ‘been’ and the past participle of the main verb.
[have/has] + [been] + [past participle]
Eg. He has been given a scholarship.
Eg. I have been handed an incredible opportunity.
