Present Perfect

1. Simple
2. Continuous
3. Simple and Continuous

Present Perfect

Past Tense

The Form

Affirmative
Sb. +

have
has

Past
participle

What is past participle?

Emma has been a teacher for 20 years.

She has explained the lesson quite well.

see
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

stop
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

have
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

do
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Using the verbs given, make positive sentences.

enjoy

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

be

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

write

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

ask

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Negative
Sb. +

havent
hasnt +

Past
participle

Emma hasnt been a teacher for 20 years.

Only for 5.

He hasnt explained the lesson quite well.

They have all fallen asleep.

see
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

stop
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

have
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

do
I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Using the verbs given, make negative sentences.

enjoy

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

be

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

write

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

ask

I
You
He
She
It
We
You
They

Interrogative
Have

Has

Sb. +

Past
participle

Has Emma been a teacher for 20 years?

Yes, she has.
No, she has not/hasnt.

Have I explained the lesson well?

Yes, you have.
No, you have not/havent.

see

stop

have

do

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

Using the verbs given, make questions.

enjoy

be

write

ask

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

I
you
he
she
it
we
you
they

The Use

1.

Unspecified time before now

Unspecified time before now

Past

Present

Future

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time
before now. The exact time is not important.
yet
We use expressions such as:

ever

before

I have seen that movie twenty times.

I think I have met him once before.
Have you read the book yet?
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
So far she hasnt called.

many times

Ive seen Mary and Julie jog in the park.

A: I havent seen Mary or Julie for ages.

B: Ive seen them, jogging in the park.

A: When was that?

B: I saw them yesterday. (past simple)

2.

Experiences

Have you ever eaten caviar (in your life)?

Have you ever been to the zoo (in your life)?

Susan really loves that film. Shes seen it eight times!

A black rose!
This is the most interesting flower Ive seen in my
life!

3.

Change over time

You have
grown since the
last time I saw
you.

My English has really improved since I

moved to Australia.

4.

Accomplishments and inventions

They
a new way to keep your plants watered
while you are away: these rain cloud reservoirs.

Scientists have split the atom.

Our daughter has learned how to read.

5.

Recent events

Recent events

Past

Present

Future

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened recently.

We use expressions such as:

recently
not long ago
just a while ago

I have recently seen that movie.

Ive met him not long ago.
Have you just been out?
Somebody has heard the fighting just a while ago.
She hasnt called us lately.

Ive lost my
wallet.

Tom is looking for his wallet. He cant find it.

He has lost his wallet.

He has lost his wallet.

He lost it recently, and

he doesnt have it anymore.

Have you seen George recently?

Ive met a lot of people in the

last few days. Conferences are
the best way to do that!

Everything is going well, sir. But we

havent had any news so far about
the robber. So, where were you ?

Would you like something to

eat?

No, thanks. Ive just had

lunch.

The police has arrested my neighbour

in connection with the robbery.

What are you doing?

Im looking for my key.
Where did you put it?
I dont know. Ive lost it.

He told me his name, but Ive forgotten it.

Just say hello!

6.

Past actions with

present consequences

Past actions with present consequences

Past
We use the Present Perfect to
say that an action happened in
the past, but the results, or the
outcome is visible or present to
this day.

Present

Future

It has rained .

7.

Periods of time connected

to now

Periods of time connected

to now

Past

Present

Future

We use the Present Perfect for a period of time, that started in the past, but
continues to present. There are chances for that action to even go further in the
future.
We use expressions such as:

today
this week
this month

Have you seen Tom this morning?

Dont forget to post the letter, will

you?

Ive already posted it.

Has it stopped raining yet?

Use yet only in negative and interrogative sentences!!!

8.

The first time

This is the first

time Ive driven
a car.

I have never
driven a car
before.

This is the first

time Ive used a
credit card.

9.

How long ...?

Periods of time connected

to now

We often use the Present Perfect with the words for and since, each referring to a
particular aspect when talking about a period of time. See below:

for

Since

to talk about the duration of a

period of time

to talk about when a period

started

I have been with my

department for three years.

I have been with this company

since 1992.

for and since

How long have you been in Amsterdam?

I have been here for six months.

I have
been here since September .

Differences between
Past Simple and Present Perfect

Ive been to the theatre this week.

I went to the theatre last week.

Have you seen her this morning?

Did you see her this morning?

Marin Preda wrote several novels and short stories.

Mircea Crtrescu has written poetry and prose.

John has injured his hand.

Mark injured his hand.

Have you been to the grocery store?

Did you go to the grocery store?

Yes, Ive been to lots of

places.
Yes, Ive been to China
twice.
No, I havent been to Korea.
At least not yet.

Have you travelled a lot,

Jane?
Really? Have you been to
China?
What about Korea?

The Form

Affirmative
Sb

have/has

been

vb + ing

SHH! Dont wake her up! She has been studying.

He has been reading that letter all night.

Negative

+
Sb

havent/
hasnt

+
been
+

vb + ing

Interrogative

+
Have/Has

+Sb

+been

Yes, I have.
No, I have not/havent.

+
vb + ing

Interrogative
+

Has she been eating chocolate?

Yes, she has.

No, she has not/hasnt.

The Use

1.

Past

Present

Future

We often use the Present Perfect Continuous for an activity that has recently stopped
or just stopped.

Why are you both so dirty? What have you been doing?

Ive been talking to Robert, here, and I

think we have the solution to your
problem.

2.

Still happening

for two hours

Past

Present

Future

We often use the Present Perfect Continuous with words like how long, for and since
for activities that are still going on, still happening.

Chris hasnt been feeling well all morning. I think he should go home.

Where have you been? Ive been looking for you all over
this park. Dont ever do that to me again!

3.

Repeated actions

8 years old

Past

Present

Future

We often use the Present Perfect Continuous for actions repeated over a period of time.

Debbie is a very good tennis

player. Shes been playing
since she was eight.

Every morning she goes to the caf downstairs. Shes been

going there since she moved to Madrid.

Differences between
Present Perfect
Simple
and Continuous

Past

Present

Future

We use the both Present Perfect Continuous and Simpleto express that an action
began in the past and is still going on or has just finished.

I have been reading the Bible.

I have read the Bible.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to

emphasise the duration or continuous course of
an action.

I have been painting for only an hour.

I have painted the room pink.

We use the Present Perfect

Simple mainly to express that
an action is completed or to
emphasise the result.

He has been repairing the car for two days

now.

He has repaired the car. Hes just finished.

He has been eating too many sweets. He

should stop.

Someone has eaten my chocolate.

We use Present Perfect Continuous

to say:

How long

for an activity that is still

happening.

We use Present Perfect Simple to

say:

How much, how

many, how many
times

for completed actions.

How long have you been reading

that book?

Ive been reading for two hours.

How much of that book have you

read?

Ive read 100 pages.

How long ?

He is writing e-mails. He has been writing emails all morning.

He has written ten e-mails this

morning.

How many?

They have been playing tennis all morning.

They have played tennis three times this week.

Lets remember
Stative Verbs

Feelings:

Thoughts,
opinions:

Senses:

Possession:

Measure,
cost,
Others:

LIKE
DISLIKE
LOVE
HATE
PREFER
WANT
NEED
MIND
CARE

KNOW
THINK
UNDERSTAND
BELIEVE
GUESS
MEAN
SUPPOSE
DOUBT
REALIZE
REMEMBER
FORGET
AGREE

FEEL
HEAR
SEE
SMELL
SOUND
TASTE
TOUCH
LOOK

BELONG
OWN
HAVE

COST
MEASURE
WEIGH
OWE
SEEM
BE
APPEAR
CONSIST

But some of them can sometimes be dynamic/

action verbs
and go in a continuous form:

THINK

= have an opinion not in Continuous:

I think that smoking is bad.
= consider, have in mind Can be continuous:
I am thinking about you.

HAVE

= own, possess not in Continuous:

She has a new baby brother.
+ expressions Can be continuous:
Shes having a shower.

SMELL,
WHEN INTRANSITIVE not in Continuous:
WEIGH,
The coffee smells great .
LOOK,
You look tired.
TASTE, ...
This pizza tastes good!
WHEN TRANSITIVE Can be continuous:
Im smelling coffee.
Hes looking at a picture.
The chef is tasting the lunch.
SEE

with your eyes/ understand: not in Continuous:

I see what you mean.
= meet someone: Can be continuous:
Im seeing Peter tonight.