Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is a verb tense used for action that started in the past and still has its effect in the present.

According to Collins Dictionary , “the present perfect tenses of a verb are the ones used to talk about things which happened before the time you are speaking or writing but are relevant to the present situation, or things that began in the past and are still happening.”

We use the present perfect

For something that started in the past and continues in the present    

• I have lived here for all of my life. (I lived here in the past and still living)
• She has been ill for 5 days. (She was ill for last 5 days and still ill).

Past experience up to the present

• I have played cricket ever since I was child. (I started cricket in the childhood and still playing).
• She has never eaten Egg Cake. (She never ate cake up to now).

Formula for Present Perfect Tense

Subject + has/have + third form of verb + rest of sentence.

“Has" is used with singular (he, she, it) and have is used with plural (I, we, you, they)

• I have played football.
• He has chosen the wrong subject.
• You have built the house.

Negative Form of Present Perfect Tense

Subject + has/have + not + third form of verb + rest of sentence.

• I have not played football.
• He has not chosen the wrong subject.
• You have not built the house.

Interrogative Form of Present Perfect Tense

Has/have + Subject + third form of verb + rest of sentence

• Have I played football?
• Has he chosen the wrong subject?
• Have you built the house?

When we speak or write Present Perfect, we can contract the subject and auxiliary verb.

• I have             I’ve
• You have       you’ve
• They have     they’ve
• We have        we’ve
• He has           he’s
• She has         she’s
• It has              it’s

In negative sentences, contract the auxiliary verb and "not" as follows

• Has not          hasn’t
• Have not        haven’t

Examples Of Present Perfect Tense

• I have lived in London.
• I have not lived in London.
• Have I lived in London?

 

• They have played football.
• They have not played football.
• Have they played football?

 

• He has run one mile.
• He has not run one mile.
• Has he run one mile?