Present Perfect Tense (8th Class Grammar)

When To Use

1. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives or not. It is not important when we did it.
   Examples
      I have been abroad two times.
      Anna has never broken a leg.
      Have you ever eaten sushi?
   Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.
2. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now.
   Examples
      I have been a teacher for more than ten years.
      We haven't seen Janine since Friday.
      How long have you been at this school?
   Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.
3. We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present.
   Examples
      I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now.
      Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now.
      Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready?
   Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the result in the present.

How To Form



We make the Present Perfect tense with the correct form of the auxiliary verb have (have/has) and the third form (past participle) of the mail verb.

To form the past participle of the regular verbs, we add ed to the infinitive.

Examples:
   I have worked as a secretary for two years.
   Have you ever visited the Disneyland?
   The film hasn't started yet.

Tip! You may want to visit The English Irregular Verbs pages to learn how we form the past simple (second form) and past participles (third form) of some English verbs..

Already and Yet

Already means that something happened earlier than we expected. With Present Perfect already usually goes after have or has and before the main verb.

Examples

   - We've already had our breakfast.

   - When are you going to do your homework?
   - But I've already done it!

   - Do you want a cup of coffee?
   - No, thanks. I've already had one."

Yet means that something that we expected has happened or hasn't happened. We usually put it at the end of a sentence.

Examples

   - Has the post arrived yet?

   - Have you done your homework?
   - Not yet.

   - Haven't you got ready yet? Look at the time!

For and Since

We use Present Perfect tense to talk about action which started in the past and continues up to the present. Examples    I have had this computer for about a year.    How long have you been at this school?    I haven't seen Julia since September. Tip! For other uses of the Present Perfect tense, see the Present Perfect Tense - When To Use. We use for with a period of time, for example: a few days, half an hour, two years. We use since with the time when the action started, for example: last year, June 8, I met you.