Present perfect tense Notes

Present perfect tense

Learn the formula:

Positive

Subject + has/have +3^rd form of the verb + object

Negative

Subject + has/have + not +3^rd form of the verb + object

Questions

Has/Have +Subject +3^rd form of the verb + object

We use ‘has’ with 3^rd person singular.

Examples :

1. I have seen this film.     

2. Ballu has finished his food. Now he is drinking coffee.

          

3. I've bought a nice gift for Tanya.

4. Have you taken enough money for shopping.

5. She hasn't finished her homework.

6. Mumma and Grand Ma have already cooked food.

7. It hasn't rained today.

8. Have I bought all the fruits?

1. To form the past participle (3^rd form) of a regular verb, add -ed:

cook → cooked

play → played

look → looked

talk → talked

However some past participles are irregular:

drive → driven

speak → spoken

teach → taught

buy → bought

catch → caught

1. We use Present Perfect tense when we want to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and continue to the present.

Example:

I have lived in Delhi for six years.

(I began to live there six years ago and still I live there.)

2. We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important.

We CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in India, at that moment, that day, one day, etc.

Examples:

1. I've been on television three times.

2. I have done my cooking course.

3. I have seen that movie ten times.

4. I think I have met Ram once before.

5. There have been many earthquakes in Gujrat.

6. People have travelled to the Moon.

7. People have not travelled to Mars.

8. Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. We cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

1. She has got the gold medal in 100 meter race.

2. Man has walked on the Moon.

3. Our son Apurv has learned how to read.

4. Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.

3. If we are speaking in an unfinished time period, also we use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not happened. 

Example:

At 11 a.m., I say: "I've met Anita this morning." (unfinished time period - it is still morning.)

But in the afternoon or evening,

I say: "I saw Anita this morning." (Finished time period - the morning has finished.)

Jaya has not finished his homework yet.

Anu hasn't mastered English, but she can communicate.

Avi has still not arrived.

The rain hasn't stopped.

4. If what happened then is still important now:

Examples:

1. Be careful, I've broken a glass.

2. Where's the police station? I've lost my passport.

2. We use the Present Perfect in sentences like this:

It's the first time I've visited London.

It's the second time he's asked that.

We often use the Present Perfect with already, just, yet, ever, never, still.

These words refer to a time period between the past and now.

Examples:

1. I've already had lunch. (at some time before now)

2. Have you ever been to China? (in your life until now)

3. He's just finished his work. (a very short time before now)

4. I've never seen a white tiger. (in my life until now)

We use yet to say that something hasn't happened:

It's 12.15, I haven't had lunch yet. (not until now)

We use still to emphasize that we've waited a long time:

It's 2.45 I still haven't had lunch, (not until now)

1. We usually put already, ever, just, never directly before the past participle:

Examples:

He's already passed the exam.

Have you ever climbed a mountain?

2. We usually put yet at the end of the sentence:

Example:

 I haven't got the key yet.

3. We usually put still before hasn't and haven't:

Examples:

He still hasn't paid me.   

They still haven't phoned.

3. We often use the Present Perfect tense with for and since:

Examples:

I have lived in Delhi for ten years.

He has lived in Mumbai since 1995.

We use for when we mention the length of a period of time:

...for five hours

...for six weeks

...for nine months

...for two years.

We use since when we mention the beginning of a period in the past:

...since August 10             

...since my last birthday

...since Diwali         

... since I was six years old

...since morning

...since I was born

We often use negative Present Perfect verbs with for and since:

Examples:

I haven't played Chess since 1999.

I haven't played Chess for 2 years.

We cannot use the Present Simple in these sentences:

Examples:

I Study English for five years. (Wrong)

I have studied English for five years.

I live in Delhi since 1996. (Wrong)

I have lived in Delhi since 1996.

4. Questions with How long...? and the Present Perfect often have an answer with for or since:

Examples:

"How long have you studied English?"

"For ten years." or "Since 1995."

Read this conversation between Aaysha and Amit. They are celebrating their son Anish’s birthday.

Amit: Is everything ready for the party?

Aaysha: Yes, I’ve prepared everything.

Amit: Are you sure?

Aaysha: Yes, I have ordered 100 sandwiches.

Amit: And I have ordered 200 bottles of soft drink.

Aaysha: I have made a very big cake for the party.

Amit: That’s nice ! You are indeed a good cook.

Aaysha: Have you changed ?

Amit: No I haven’t changed yet.

Aaysha: Have you reminded your friends for the party ?

Amit: Yes, I have reminded them.

Aaysha: I have put candles and flowers on all the tables.

Amit: We have decorated the room with balloons.

Aaysha: Has Anish come ?

Amit: Yes, he has come and changing for the party.

Aaysha: Have you reminded Rony ? He is a very good singer and good friend of mine. He has promised to sing a special song in the party.

Amit: Oh, I am sorry ! I have forgotten to remind him.

Aaysha: Please remind him.

Amit: Here comes the birthday boy .

Aaysha & Amit: Happy birth day my dear !

Mr. Sharma has arrived at the office. He is asking his secretary some questions. Read the conversation between Mr. Sharma and his secretary .

Mr. Sharma : Have you typed the letter to Mr. John ?

Tina : Yes Sir, I have already sent the letter.

Mr. Sharma : Has Mr. Roy signed the cheques ?

Tina : No Sir, he hasn’t come yet.

Mr. Sharma : Has the technician repaired the machinery ?

Tina : Yes Sir, he has already done that.

Mr. Sharma : Have you booked my ticket to Mumbai ?

Tina : I haven’t booked it yet, there is no morning flight to Mumbai tomorrow.

Mr. Sharma : I have decided to go by evening flight. Please book the ticket.

Tina : Sure Sir !