The present perfect tense is a verb form used to connect past actions or events to the present. It indicates that something started in the past and has a relevance or connection to the present moment. In other words, it emphasizes the relationship between past actions and their impact on the current situation.
Grammar pattern
Form: Subject + have/has + past participle (3rd form)
Use
Example
Expressing Experiences
“I have visited Paris several times.”
Unfinished Actions
“They have studied English for three years.”
Actions with Relevance
“She has lost her keys.”
Recent Past
“He has just arrived home.”
Adverbs used with Present Perfect
There are some adverbs that we can use with present perfect to make emphasis or add additional details.
Adverb
Meaning
Example
Already
Before the present time or earlier than expected
“I have already finished my homework.”
Even
Emphasizing a surprising or unexpected situation
“I’ve been very busy. I haven’t even had time to have lunch.”
Ever
At any time in the past or in one’s life
“Have you ever traveled abroad?”
Just
Referring to a very recent past or a short time ago
“He’s just come back from Brazil.”
Lately
In the recent past or during a recent period
“I haven’t seen him lately.”
Never
Not at any time in the past or in one’s life
“I have never been to Australia.”
Only
Indicating exclusivity or emphasizing limitations
“I’ve only done the first year of my course.”
Recently
In the near past or not long ago
“She has recently started a new job.”
So far
Describing the extent of an action up to the present time
“They have visited three countries so far.”
Still
Indicating that a situation or action is continuing or ongoing
“I still haven’t found what I’m looking for
Yet
Expressing an action or event expected to happen but hasn’t occurred until now
to talk about past experiences when we don’t say when something happened (when the action was finished). Example: I’ve travelled to Brazil many times.
with yet, already, ever, and never. Example: I’ve already finished my homework.
with superlatives and the first, second, the last time, etc. Example: Canada is the most beautiful place I’ve visited.
with non action verbs (= verbs not usually used in the continuous form, for example, be, have, know, like, understand, believe, etc) to say that something started in the past and is still true now. Example: I‘ve known my best friend since we were in high school.
when we say or ask how much/many we have done or how often we have done something up to no (so far). Example: I’ve written 5 essays so far.
We use the present perfect continuous:
with action verbs, to say that an action started in the past and is still happening now. Example: I’ve been writing this article for 2 hours.
this use is common with time expression such as How long …?, for, since, allday/morning/afternoon/evening/ week, etc. Example: I’ve been studying all morning.
for repeated actions especially with the time expression all day, recently. Example: She’s been cleaning her house all day.
for continuous actions that have just finished (but that have present results). Example: I’ve been doing my homework.
Grammar Practice
Level of difficulty:
Speaking Practice
Level of difficulty:
Student A -> Complete the question
Student B -> Answer the question
Flip the tile to check if your dialogue was correct
Repeat the dialogue and ask follow-up questions to get more details
Level of difficulty:
Choose a picture (scroll the arrows <> to see the whole picture)
Discuss the following questions with your partner. Give as many details as you can.
Now, let’s say that you want to talk about your trips. If you want to talk about your trips and the places that you have visited in the past you can’t use verb go in the present perfect form.
simple present
1. I usually go to Paris in the summer. ✔️
simple past
2. I went to Paris last year. ✔️
present perfect
3. I have gone to Paris many times. ❌ I have been to Paris many times ✔️
Why?
Because…
been to
completed visits (round trip)
gone to
one-way trip
In the video below I explain how to use been to and gone to correctly
Grammar Practice
Speaking Practice
Why?
Because…
Practice time
Teacher Julieta 