I
You
We
They
have
eaten
an apple.
He
She
It
John
has
eaten
an apple.
In these examples
the past participle
has a regular form
and looks just the
the simple past
tense, but its not.
Ive
I havent
You have
Youve
you havent
We have
Weve
We havent
Hes
He hasnt
She has
Shes
She hasnt
It has
Its
It hasnt
I have finished.
I have not/havent finished.
She has not/hasnt finished.
You have not/havent finished.
Have I finished?
USE 1
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
to talk about a completed past action
at an unspecified time in the past.
Perhaps we dont remember when the action happened.
Maybe we dont know when the action happened.
Or we just dont care when the action happened.
The only thing that is important is
that it happened sometime before
now. But not any specific time.
Ive already eaten breakfast.
Shes seen that movie before.
!
You 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 Japan, at
that moment, that day, one day, etc.
USE 2
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
to talk about experience.
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It
is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this
tense to say that you have never had a certain experience.
Examples:
I have been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE HAD THE
EXPERIENCE OF BEING IN FRANCE. MAYBE YOU HAVE
BEEN THERE ONCE, OR SEVERAL TIMES.
I have been to France three times.
YOU CAN ADD THE NUMBER OF TIMES AT THE END OF THE
SENTENCE.
I have never been to France.
THIS SENTENCE MEANS THAT YOU HAVE NOT HAD THE
USE 3
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
to talk about change over time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change
that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has become more interested in arts
education.
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at
the university since the Asian studies program was
established.
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
USE 4
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
to talk about accomplishments.
We often use the Present Perfect to list the
accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You
cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
USE 5
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE to talk
about an uncompleted action you are expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action
which we expected has not happened. Using the Present
Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to
happen.
Examples:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can
communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
USE 6
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE to talk
about multiple actions at different times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several
different actions which have occurred in the past at different
times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete
and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The army has attacked that city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this
project.
She has talked to several specialists about her problem,
but nobody knows why she is sick.
USE 7
We use the PRESENT PERFECT TENSE to talk
about things that happened at some time in the
recent past and have a connection to the present.
Examples:
I cant pay for the bill; I have forgot my wallet.
I have lost my key and I am looking for it now.
ever
for
just
since
yet
since
for
yet
ever
just
just
already
Tanaya
USES
1. HOW LONG / FOR / SINCE WITH ACTION VERBS
(action started in past & continues now)
USES
3. CONTINUOUS ACTIONS THAT HAVE
JUST FINISHED (WITH RESULT IN THE
PRESENT)
Hes been running all day. Hes dead
tired!
A: Look at your hands! Theyre so filthy!
B: I know. Ive been painting the living
room
EXAMPLES
I have lived in San Diego for 10 years.
I have been living in San Diego for 10
years.
EXAMPLES
Example:
1) I have been knowing Maria for many years.
-INCORRECT
2) I have known Maria for Many years.
-CORRECT