A2 Grammar

Present perfect

Present perfect

Present Perfect

Use:

The present perfect is used for several reasons:

1) Use it to describe events that happened in the past and are still true now because you can see the result.

I’ve broken my leg!

David has painted his house.

2) Use it to describe experiences in your life.

I’ve been to New York three times in my life.

However, you cannot use the present perfect to describe experiences in someone’s life if that person has died.

Michael Jackson performed in Britain many times.

NOT

Michael Jackson has performed in Britain many times.

3) Use it to describe events that started in the past and are still happening now.

I’ve lived here all my life (and I live here now).

John has worked here for 10 years (and he works here now).

Never refer to a finished time with a present perfect verb.

Form:

Make the present perfect in this way.

Positive

I / you / they / we

he / she / it

have / ‘ve

has / ‘s

past participle

Examples: I’ve seen him; they’ve gone; she’s taken my bag.

Negative

I / you / they / we

he / she / it

haven’t / ‘ve not

hasn’t / ‘s not

past participle

Examples: I haven’t seen him; they haven’t gone yet; she’s not been here.

Questions

Have

Has

you / they / we

he / she / it

past participle?

Examples: Have you seen him? Has she taken my bag?

Common mistakes:

1) Don’t use the present perfect to refer to a finished time.

I’ve hurt my arm yesterday. => I’ve hurt my arm.

John’s been to New York last month. => John’s been to New York.