Present Perfect

Let’s learn
The present
perfect
The present perfect is a
compound tense that connects
the past with the present
We use this tense when we want to indicate that the action
happened in the past but has some form of connection to
the present.
Subject + have/has + Verb 3 (past participle)
1. The continuous connection
The duration
The action
The past The present The future
An action that started in the past and continues into the present
• I’ve lived in London for 15 years.

• You’ve studied English for years.
• She has participated in dancing
competitions all her life.
2. The unknown time connection
The duration
The action The action The action The action

An action that has been going on in the past, but we don’t know
exactly when.
• I've seen that film before.

• They’ve been to Paris many times.
• She has worked with this company
on several occasions.
3. The resulting connection
The result
The action
An action that happened in the past but has some kind of

consequences in the present
• “I’ve lost my homework” - the action happened in
the past (my homework got lost), but I have a
problem now – I’m expected to present it and I
can’t.
• “Would you like some more cake? – no thanks, I’ve
had enough!” (the action happened in the past (I
had some cake), consequently, I’m full now and
cannot possibly eat any more.
4. A question with an unknown time
The action The action The action The action The action

We ask questions when we are looking for information.
We use the present perfect when we are also missing a time frame and we
suspect that there might be a connection, either physical, philosophical or
unknown to the present.
• Where have you been? (you just walked in the door)
• What have you done? (your hands are dirty)
• Have you seen my keys? (at any time between the time I
got home and now).
• Have you seen this film yet? (until this moment)
5. Ever, never & since
Until this moment
The action
‘Ever’, ‘Never’ and ‘Since’ mean by definition: “until this moment”, we always
use them with the present perfect.
• Have you ever seen a full moon eclipse?

• Have you ever eaten such an amazing
homemade pasta?
• I’m ashamed to admit, I’ve never been to
New York!
• I’ve been working here since Monday.
Present perfect continuous
Until this moment
The action
The present The future
The past
We normally use the present perfect continuous to emphasize that something
is still going on in the present, it also usually implies that the action was
uninterrupted.
• She has been teaching history all her life.

• It's been raining for hours.
• I've been working all day.
• They have been staying with us since last Tuesday.
Pay attention!
Do not use the present perfect with a past time indication,
since that would imply that the action is finished and cannot
have a connection to the present.
• When I was little, I have done chores around the house.
• I have eaten in this restaurant yesterday.
• We have just bought these boots last week.
You can use the present perfect with a time which is not
finished yet.
• We have already seen a film this week.
• Have you eaten today?
Why do we need the
perfect form?
• The perfect tenses intend to focus the attention more
on the result or consequence rather than on the past
action itself.
• The word perfect in this tense means "completed“ (from the Latin ‘perfectum’,
which is the perfect passive participle of the verb perficere "to complete").
• For example: “I’ve done my homework” – the action is “To do”, but what is
just as important is the result at the present:
 My homework is done.
 I have a finished product to show for my effort.
 I can do something else right now.
 I’m pleased with myself!
Ilse Depraetere. On the resultative character of present perfect sentences. Journal of Pragmatics, Elsevier, 1998, 29 (5), pp.597-613. ffhalshs-00625754f
The intention behind the tense
If you learn to listen carefully for the present perfect,
you’ll obtain more from the conversation than just the
spoken information – you’ll also learn the thoughts,
feelings and intentions of the speaker.
Son: “Can I go out”? Son: “Can I go out”?

mom: “What about your mom: “What about your
homework”? homework”?
Son: “I finished it” Son: “I’ve finished it”
(simple past – the action is (present perfect –
done – no consequences • Maybe not all of them.
or problems) • There may have been a few
problems.
• I’ve just written the last
sentence as we speak…)
Present continuous
What’s the connection to the present:
• She has been teaching A. She knows the material inside out.
history all her life. B. She’s tired and she wants to change profession.
• It's been raining for hours. A. We have to cancel our plans.
B. I’m worried it might start to flood the street.
• I've been working all day. A. I’m exhausted, I can’t be expected to help with
anything.
B. I don’t want to help you with your homework.
• They have been staying with us A. We’re having a wonderful time together.
since last Tuesday. B. I can’t believe that they came for such a long
time! When will they ever leave!!??
Describe the situation & give a
reason for using the present perfect
In most cases, the present perfect explains the result for
or the explanation to a present reality and could be
added after the word “because”:
Example:
“He’s loaded the wrong box again”
1. He is standing in front of the address,
realizing he made a mistake. ….. Because
- “He’s loaded the wrong box again”
2. He knows he’s in trouble. ….. Because -
“He’s loaded the wrong box again”
3. The client is refusing to sign for it …..
Because - “He’s loaded the wrong box
again”
4. He could get fired today, since it’s not the
first time he has made this mistake…..
Because - “He’s loaded the wrong box
again”
5. He’s upset….. Because - “He’s loaded
the wrong box again”
Describe the situation & give a reason for
using the present perfect
• "He's forgotten to bring his passport“

• “She’s baked five cakes!”
• They haven’t been listening to the instructions”
• “I’ve been on a date!”
• “I haven’t finished the book”
• “Susan has already watered the plants”
• “Have you seen this program?”
• “How many of these chocolates have you eaten?”
• “Why has she left her suitcase behind?”
• “We have run out of paper in the printer again!”
Have you ever done this?
Stand in front of the class and ask questions using
the present perfect tense.
1. Find one thing that only you, in the entire class have done.
2. Find a movie that only you, in the entire class have seen.
3. Find a place that only you, in the entire class have been to.
“Yes, I have” “No, I haven’t”
You may use a general form:

“Has anyone ever been to…..?”
Or address students individually:
“Matteo, have you seen the
film…..?”

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Let’s learn

An action that started in the past and continues into the present

• I’ve lived in London for 15 years.

The action The action The action The action

• I've seen that film before.

An action that happened in the past but has some kind of

The past The present The future

• Have you ever seen a full moon eclipse?

• She has been teaching history all her life.

Son: “Can I go out”? Son: “Can I go out”?

• "He's forgotten to bring his passport“

You may use a general form:

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