Present perfect definition. Comparison of Present Perfect and Past Simple

Present perfect tense, or Present Perfect Tense is a rather difficult tense form for a Russian speaker. But the whole point is that in Russian there is no equivalent to this grammatical form. We are immediately confused by the fact that the Present Perfect refers to both the present and the past tense. How is this possible? Let's find out!

What is Present Perfect Tense?

Present Perfect Tense (Present Perfect Tense) is a tense form of a verb that expresses the connection of a past action with the present time. That is, the present perfect tense conveys an action performed in the past, but the result of this action is visible at the present moment.

we have a new machine, that is, the action took place in the past, but the result is visible at the present moment. Present Perfect is translated into Russian in the same way as Past Simple

  • - past tense. For example:
  • Present Perfect: I’ve written many letters - I wrote a lot of letters

Past Simple: Last month I wrote many letters - Last month I wrote a lot of letters

  • The difference in the meaning of these tenses is that the Past Simple expresses a past action, timed to a specific moment in the past and not related to the present. The Present Perfect expresses a past action that is not confined to any moment in the past and has a result in the present. The difference in the meanings of the Past Simple and Present Perfect tenses can be seen in the following example:
  • What have you done? - What have you done? (The questioner is interested in the result)
  • I’ve cooked dinner - I prepared lunch (Lunch is ready now)
    What did you do an hour ago? - What were you doing an hour ago? (The questioner is interested in the action itself, not its result)

I cooked dinner - I was preparing lunch (It doesn’t matter whether dinner is ready at the moment)

If the time of a past action is indicated by time circumstances or context, the Past Simple is used. If the time of a past action is not indicated by time circumstances and is not implied by the context, the Present Perfect is used.

The Present Perfect is primarily used in colloquial speech to describe events in the present tense that are the result of past actions.

Rules for the formation of Present Perfect Tense

In the interrogative form of Present Perfect Tense, the auxiliary verb to have is placed before the subject, and the Past Participle of the main verb is placed after the subject.

Have/Has + Mean. + Past Participle...?

The negative form is formed using the negation not, which comes after the auxiliary verb and, as a rule, merges with it into one whole:

  • have not → haven’t
  • has not → hasn’t

Mean + have/ has + not + Past Participle …

Conjugation table for the verb to lie in Present Perfect Tense

Number Face Affirmative form Interrogative form Negative form
Unit h. 1
2
3
I have (I"ve) lied
You have (you"ve) lied
He/ She/ It has (He"s/ She’s) lied
Have I lied?
Have you lied?
Has he/ she/ it lied?
I have not (haven"t) lied
You have not (haven"t) lied
He/ She/ It has not (hasn"t) lied
Mn. h. 1
2
3
We have (we"ve) lied
You have (you"ve) lied
They have (they"ve) lied
Have we lied?
Have you lied?
Have they lied?
We have not (haven"t) lied
You have not (haven"t) lied
They have not (haven"t) lied

Rules for using Present Perfect Tense:

1. To express a past action associated with the present tense, if the sentence does not contain any time circumstances. Examples:

  • I’ve seen wolves in the forest - I saw wolves in the forest
  • We've heard so much about them - We've heard so much about them
  • The snow has stopped, you can leave - The snow has stopped, you can leave
  • I have fallen off a horse - I fell from a horse
  • You’ve got nine - You got nine
  • He has become part of our life - He has become part of our life

2. If the sentence contains such adverbial words or adverbs of indefinite time and repetition as:

  • ever - ever
  • never - never
  • often - often
  • always - always
  • yet - yet
  • rarely - rarely
  • already - already
  • rarely - rarely
  • several times - several times
  • I haven’t had lunch yet - I haven’t eaten lunch yet
  • He has already made good progress - He has already made good progress
  • She’s always been hardworking person - She has always been a hardworking person
  • Have you ever been to London? - Have you ever been in London?
  • No, never - No, never

3. If in the sentence the period of time indicated has not yet ended at the time of speech with such detailed words and adverbs of a specific time as:

  • today - today
  • all day - all day
  • this morning - this morning
  • this month - this month
  • just - just now
  • I haven’t had time to look at the paper today - I didn’t have time to look at the papers today
  • She hasn’t seen me today - She didn’t see me today
  • They must be there, I’ve just seen them - They must be there, I just saw them

Present Perfect use with preposition 4. If the sentence contains such time circumstances that indicate the period during which the action took place (starting from a certain moment in the past to the present):

  • for a long time - for a long time
  • for the past two years (days, months, hours) - during the last two years (days, months, hours)
  • for three days (hours, months, years) - within three days (hours, months, years)
  • for ages - an eternity
  • how long - how long
  • up to now - until now
  • up to the present- until now
  • lately - recently
  • Have you bought anything new lately? — Have you bought anything new recently?
  • She hasn’t written to me up to now - She hasn’t written to me until now
  • Where have you been for the past two years? — Where have you been for the last two years?
  • We haven’t seen each other for ages - We haven’t seen each other for ages

Or if the sentence contains time circumstances that indicate only the beginning of such a period:

  • since - since, since then, since
  • They have been partners since 2005 - They have been partners since 2005
  • I have owned this flat since my parents bought it for me - I have owned this apartment since my parents bought it for me
  • I haven’t seen you since May, have I? “I haven’t seen you since May, have I?”

This was the basic information on the topic of Present Perfect Tense. As you can see, everything is not so complicated. It is important to learn adverbial words and adverbs that indicate the present perfect tense, and then everything becomes much easier. You will comprehend other nuances of this time of the English language in the process of improving the language.

A perfect presentation is not difficult to understand, but it is difficult to start using it in your communication.
This material was prepared by native English speakers themselves in a very accessible and understandable form.

What is Present Perfect

1. Present Perfect is a mix of the present tense and the past.
2. Present Perfect - makes your English richer.
3. In American English, the Present Perfect is often replaced by the Past Simple.

When is the Present Perfect used?

1. The action happened and we see the result now.
2. When it comes to our life experiences.
3. When various kinds of changes have occurred in life, in the world, in oneself, etc.
4. When general achievements are mentioned.
5. When you need to emphasize the duration of accomplished facts.

Let's look at the above points in more detail.

1. The action happened and we see the result now

The main marker is the word “just”, which is not translated into Russian, but it is implied. Or when it is important for us to focus on what has been done or happened.

I (just) had breakfast. I have breakfast.
I (just) did homework. I have done my homework.

I (just) washed my car. I have washed my car.
We (just) arrived. We have arrived.

She (just) forgot her car keys. She has lost her car keys.
The plane (just) landed. The plane has landed.

2. When it comes to our experience

For example: he never ate frogs, she never went to America, they flew on a plane, we never got chickenpox, etc.

The main marker is the word “once, before” or “never”, which are also not translated, but are implied by the context.

I've seen this movie (before). I have seen this movie.
Have you ever been in love? Have you ever fallen in love?

She had never seen snow. She has never seen snow.
Have you ever driven a Ferrari? Have you ever driven on a Ferrari?

I was (once, before) in Paris. I have visited Paris.
I've never been sick (before). I've never been sick before.
I've seen this world. I've seen the world.

3. When various kinds of changes occurred in life

What could it be: gasoline prices have risen, a new building has been built nearby new house, the child grew up, you learned more words in English, elected a new president, etc.

She has lost weight. She has lost some weight.
Our son learned to read. Our son has learned how to read.

Gasoline prices have increased significantly. Gas prices have increased a lot.

My dream has come true. My dream has come true.

Since I moved to Canada, my English has really improved.
My English has really improved since I moved to Canada.

Vanechka has grown since the last time I saw him.
Ivan has grown since the last time I saw him.

4. When talking about overall achievements

Apple released a new iPhone, a man flew to Mars, a new cure for cancer was invented, and the ideal car was finally created in Russia.

Doctors have discovered drugs for many diseases.
Doctors have discovered cures for many diseases.

Man has been to the moon. Man has been to the moon.

The computer made it possible to study online.
The computer has made it possible to learn online.

5. When to emphasize the duration of accomplished facts

Everything is simple here: we have been in a relationship for 5 years, I have lived in Australia since 1990, I have not seen him for 2 years, she has been working in this company for 10 years, etc..

I haven't been on vacation this year. I haven’t had a holiday this year.
I have known Anya for 5 years. I have known Anna for 5 years.

Sam has been working here for 7 years. Sam has worked here for 7 years.
I haven't seen my brother since last year. I haven’t seen my brother since last year.
We've been dating for 3 months. We have been in a relationship for 3 months.

Important nuance!
If you are taking an exam or focusing on American English, remember:
In American English, the present perfect is often replaced by paste simple.

I have just seen him. Bre
I saw him.

I just saw him. Amer
I saw him.

She has never seen snow. Bre
She had never seen snow.

She never saw snow. Amer
She had never seen snow.

Formation of the Present Perfect

have/has + verb ending - ed - or irregular verb from the third column -V3-

Simple sentence

I You We They have cooked dinner
He She It has cooked dinner

Negation in Present Perfect

I You We They have not - haven't lived in Moscow
He She It has not - hasn't lived in Moscow

Questions in the Present Perfect

Have I You We They seen that?
Has He She It known about..?

Perfect – here means “completed, complete.”

The present perfect tense in English connects the past with the present and is one of the most frequently used. You can use this tense to emphasize the result of a past action, especially when the exact timing of the action is not important. The present perfect tense is formed with the help of the Auxiliary verb (auxiliary verb) to have and Past Participle of the main verb (past participle of the semantic verb). And also in this article you will learn about conjugating regular and irregular verbs in the Present Perfect and master the use of this tricky English tense.

Having looked at the rules and examples with Present Perfect tense (Present Perfect Simple), you can easily do the exercises, thereby testing your grammatical skills.
In Russian it is pronounced [Present Perfect], in English it will be Present Perfect -.

A short text that will introduce you to Present Perfect Tense will show you how verbs are used in this tense.

Recently, it has rained. In the last week, it has rained four times.
I have always loved the rain. I have walked in the rain many times.
My friend has just called me. He asked me to help him with the project. And for that, he will invite me to dinner. It's a good idea because I have never tasted Chinese food.
I' ve just taken a shower and ready for bed.

Now let's look at the cases of using the Present Perfect

Cases of using the Present Perfect may seem difficult to you, because in Russian there is no such thing as the present perfect tense, since the action cannot end in the present. By looking at example sentences with the Present Perfect, you will understand when this tense is used.

1. Recently completed actions, without mentioning the exact time

Example:

- No has tidied the kitchen - He cleaned up the kitchen (He finished washing the kitchen - And you see the result, it’s clean).
- No has just cleared out the garage – He just cleaned out the garage (And when this happened is not important, we do not say the exact time).
-I' ve just taken a shower - I just took a shower.

2. Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past and are related to the present

Example:

— They have sold their house and gone on a tour of the world - They sold their house and went on a trip around the world (They are still traveling).
— Lilly is sad because she has missed the train - Lily is sad because she was late for the train (The action is connected to the present, she is sad now).
-I' ve eaten too much and now I feel sick - I overate and now I feel bad (the action is related to the present).

3. Actions that began in the past and continue to the present

Example:

— Clare and James have known each other since they were in kindergarten – Clara and James have known each other since kindergarten (They still know each other).
—We have lived here for twenty years - We have been living here for 20 years (we still live here).

  • What if we put the sentence in Past Simple?

— They knew each other when they were in kindergarten - They knew each other when they went to kindergarten (Now they don’t know each other anymore).

4. Use the Present Perfect tense when talking about a period of time that has not yet ended

Words indicating time that are used (the same day, month, week etc.):

Example:

-I' ve eaten six tomatoes today - Today I ate six tomatoes (Think, is today already over? No, today is still today. If today ended, it would have been yesterday).
— I have had several tests this week – I had several tests this week (The week is not over yet).

5. Personal experiences or changes that have happened

Example:

— You won’t believe! I' ve lost five kilos – You won’t believe it! I lost five kilograms.
-I' ve learned a lot in this class – I learned a lot in this lesson.
- No has gained a lot of weight recently - He recently gained excess weight.

6. Emphasis on numbers

Example:

— I have written ten projects since this afternoon – Since today I have written ten projects.
- No has phoned her three times this morning – He called her three times this morning.
—We' we've been to Saint Petersburg four times this month – We were in St. Petersburg four times this month.

7. When we talk about our past experiences

We do not specify the exact time, WHEN it happened, it is important to us that this event happened. And the words are often used ever and never.

Example:

Have you ever played cricket? – Have you ever played cricket?

8. The present perfect tense is also used in the news.

In the media, the present perfect is often used at the beginning of a report to give a brief overview or new information. The past simple tense is used to give specific information about when something happened.

Example:

— The Prime Minister has promised to create more jobs for people – The Prime Minister promised to create more jobs for people.
— During yesterday’s conference in Paris, the Prime Minister promised to create new jobs for people - During yesterday's conference in Paris, the Prime Minister promised to create new jobs for people.

Companion words in the Present Perfect (signal words)

Time marker words, also called helper words or time indicators, will help you recognize time in a sentence. And it doesn’t matter what they are called, the main thing is that you will begin to navigate and use these words in English on your own.

Signal words in the Present Perfect:

All day long, all my life, how long, for ages, ever, never, just, this week/month/year, for, already, yet, recently, lately, before, since, always, so far, at last, till now, up to now, today etc.

Present Perfect Tense Rules of Education

The Present Perfect is formed using the following structure:

Subject+ Auxiliary verb (auxiliary verb) to have/has + V.3 (past participle) those. verb in 3rd form.

For - I/We/They/You – verb to have.
For – He/She/It – verb to has.

Remember, if the verb is correct, then the ending is added to it -ed
If the verb is irregular, then (Regular and irregular verbs) will show how the verb changes in the Past Participle.

Let's look at some irregular verbs:

Come – came – come
Be-was-been
Go – went – ​​gone
See – saw – seen
Bite-bit-bitten

Such verbs require attention. They don't follow rules, they need to be learned.

Regular verbs do not change:

Look – looked
Want – wanted
Ask – asked

Present Perfect sentence forms

In this section, you will become familiar with the three sentence forms and learn how to differentiate between them.

Affirmative sentences Present Perfect (Positive sentences)

The formula for an affirmative sentence in the present perfect tense is very simple. Consider the table of affirmative sentences below:

Who? Who? Form of verb Examples
I (I) have + verb + V.3 (verb in 3rd form) I have traveled a lot
He/She/It (he, she, it) has + Verb.3 He has drunk some juice
She has cooked lunch
It has written a book
You (you, you) have + Verb.3 You have stolen a bike
We (we) have + Verb.3 We have a swum
They (they) have + Verb.3 They have tidied the living room

Short affirmative form:

In the negative form, particle not comes after the Auxiliary verb. Let's look at the table:

Who? Who? Form of verb Examples
I (I) have + not + Verb.3 I have not passed the exam
He/She/It (he, she, it) have + not + Verb.3 He has not booked a table
She has not spoken to him
It has not written a book
You (you, you) have + not + Verb.3 You have not stolen a bike
We (we) have + not + Verb.3 We have not been to Thailand
They (they) have + not + Verb.3 They have not been tidied the room

Short form of negative sentences:

- I have not - I haven’t lived here.
— He has not — He hasn’t taken the money.

Interrogative sentences Present Perfect (Interrogative sentences)

In the interrogative form, the Auxiliary verb is placed before the subject. Consider the table below:

Verb To have Who? Who? Form of verb Examples
Have I (I) VERB.3 (3rd verb form) Have I found a key?
Has He/She/It (he, she, it) VERB.3 (3rd verb form) Has he fixed the light?
Has she passed the test?
Has it gone?
Have You (you, you) VERB.3 (3rd verb form) Have you been to Paris?
Have We (we) VERB.3 (3rd verb form) Have we ridden a bike?
Have They (they) VERB.3 (3rd verb form) Have they tidied the bathroom?

Shortened negative-interrogative sentences:

— Have you not — Haven’t you washed the dishes?
— Has he not — Hasn’t he left the office yet?

Comparison of Present Perfect and Past Simple

In the table below we will look at the difference between Present Perfect and. After studying this information, you will learn to distinguish between these two times and understand that the difference is obvious.

Present Perfect Past Simple
Completed past actions, related to the present that occurred at a definite or indefinite time.

— She has gone to China (unspecified time; we don't know when she left; and she's in China now).

—Tom has seen his parents in a bank this afternoon(certain time; still day and action related to the present).

-I' ve spoken to Brad Pitt (He is alive - the action is connected to the present).

- No has worked in Australia for three years (this means that he is still working in Australia - the action is related to the present).

Completed past actions not related to the present that occurred at a specific point in the past or an implied time.

— She got married last week(certain time; When? - Last week).

—Tom saw his parents in a bank there (implied time - When? - When Tom was there).

— I spoke to John Lennon (the action is not related to the present; John Lennon has already died).

- No worked in Australia for nine years (this tells us that he is not currently working in Australia).

Announce news or give new information:

— The President has decided to raise teachers’ salaries.

Give detailed information about the news:

- No announced the decision to the Ministers.

Description of words that are used in the Present perfect tense

  • We often use never, ever, not...ever when talking about experience:

Have you ever tried to sing a song backwards? – Have you ever tried to sing a song backwards?

  • We often use the Present Perfect Simple when we talk about a unique experience and use superlatives:

- It was the best performance I have ever seen– It was the best performance I have ever seen.
- It was the worst decision he has ever made“It was the worst decision he ever made.”

  • Phrase the first time used with the Simple Present Perfect when we talk about an immediate, ongoing or recent event:

—That's the first time they have seen the city – This is the first time they saw the city.

Prepositions Since and For

We use the Present Perfect Simple with since and for when we talk about a present situation that began at a certain moment in the past and continues in the present:

  • For– refers to a period of time three years, five hours, ages, months, years etc.
  • I have been a doctor for 20 years – I have been working as a doctor for 20 years.
  • Since– refers to the previous point in time Last Tuesday, last year, yesterday, 1889.
  • I have been a doctor since 1995 – I have been working as a doctor since 1995.

The phrase How long..?

Expressions with since/for are often used to answer the question How long... + present perfect.

  • How long have you lived there? – How long have you lived there?
  • Since 4 December. So for three months – From the fourth of December. During three months.

The adverbs ALREADY, JUST, YET are used with the Present Perfect Simple

Yet is mainly used in interrogative and negative statements (Things that we intend to do in the future, but have not yet been done).

  • Haven't you done your assignments yet? -Have you completed your assignments yet? (You intend to do this).

Used when we want to emphasize that something has been done or achieved, often within the expected time:

  • I've already cooked dinner – I have already prepared dinner.

Short time ago:

  • I’ve just taken a shower - I just took a shower.

Emphasizes duration. Used with real forms ().

  • I've already told you, He still hasn't said sorry to me – I already told you, she still hasn’t apologized.

+Bonus

American English or British English (American vs. British English)?

Already can be placed at the end of an affirmative sentence. If you prefer American English, feel free to place already at the end of the sentence:

  • The lesson has finished already.
  • The lesson has already finished. (British English)

Another point when in the American version it is used instead of the Present Perfect, often with the words already and yet:

Compare:

American English – Did you sleep(yet)? British English – Have you slept(yet)?

++Bonus rule

Difference between Have gone to/have been to/have been in

  • She has gone to China. (She’s there or on her way to China/She is in China or on the way to China).
  • She has been in China for six months. (She’s in China now/She’s in China now).
  • She has been to China once. (She’s visited China and she’s back now/She visited China and she returned).

Take note: Present simple and Present continuous

For Example:

-WRONG: I know her for eight years.
— CORRECT: I' we know her for eight years.
- WRONG: I' m living here since 2003.
— CORRECT: I' we lived here since 2003.

Take note: Present Perfect/Past Simple

If the situation is completed, Past S. + for is used, not Present P.

Example:

— My half-sister worked as a sales manager for 3 years and then she got the sack – My stepsister worked as a sales manager for 3 years and then she was fired.

* When you listen to someone using a sentence with for = period of time, listen carefully to the verb. Sometimes it's hard to hear the difference between I’ve lived in Hawaii for several years And I lived in Hawaii for several years, but between these sentences a big difference. This tells us whether the speaker still lives there or no longer lives there.

General table of formation of the Present Perfect Tense - Present Perfect Tense

Types of offers Present Perfect
Affirmative sentence I/we/you/they + have + V.3
He/she/it + has +V.3
Negative sentence I/we/you/they + have not +V.3
He/she/it + has not + V.3
Interrogative sentence Have+ I/we/you/they + V.3…?
Has + he/she/it + V.3…?
Special question WH+ have/has+S+ V.3…?
WH-question word; S - Subject– subject; V – verb
W.H.- why, when, where etc.

Present Perfect Tense - Present perfect tense: exercises and answers

To consolidate the material you have covered, we recommend that you take tests on the Present Perfect.

Exercise 1. Open the brackets and put the verb in the Present Perfect.

1. They (clean) the house.

2. I (print) the document.

3. He (ask) a question.

4. You (dial) the wrong number.

5. She (not speak) to me yet.

6. How long did you (know) him?

7. You (hear) from Sam recently?

8. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse! I (not eat) anything since this morning.

9. It’s the most amazing city I ever (see).

10. She (drink) too much coffee.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Have cleaned
2.Have printed
3.Has asked
4.Have dialed
5. Has not been spoken
6.Have you known
7. Have you heard
8. Haven't eaten
9. Have ever seen
10. Has drunk.

Exercise 2. Put 5 sentences into interrogative form using the Present Perfect.

1. (you/be/to Dublin/yet).

2. (How often/he/call/you).

3. (the children/clean/their room).

4. (you/be/on holiday/this year).

5. (he/write/to the Prime Minister).

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1. Have you been to Dublin yet?
2. How often has he called you?
3. Have the children cleaned their room?
4. Have you been on holiday this year?
5. Has he written to the Prime Minister?

Exercise 3. Insert yet or already.

A: Haven’t you cooked the dinner...?

B: You have…asked me that!

A: You know I’m busy with the project. And I have… told you that our friends are coming to stay with us.

B: Keep calm. They haven’t come…. And why are you always asking me to cook?

A: Always? You have been living here for 3 years and I haven’t tasted your dinner…

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1.Yet
2. Already
3. Already
4. Yet
5. Yet

Exercise 4. Insert For or Since.

1. He has been in Chile… 10 years.

2. My grandparents have lived in Los Angeles... 1993.

3. I haven’t seen her … ages.

4. They haven’t been to Manchester… their last birthday.

5. We haven’t met… you left for Washington.

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1.for
2.since
3.for
4.since
5.since

Exercise 5. A task to compare Past Simple and Present Perfect. Decide what time to set.

1. Ever (be) to Liverpool?

2. How long have you (learn) Italian?

3. I (start) learning Italian when I (be) eleven.

4. I(give) you the money last week.

5. We (just/get) home.

6. You (see) the Jackie Chan film on TV last night?

Answers. Answers to the exercise:

1.Have ever been
2. Have learned
3. Have started, was
4. Gave
5. have just got
6. Have seen

When we learn something new, some topics are difficult for us at first. For some people learning English is like a walk in the park but for others, it’s really hard. Some people find learning English quite easy. Others need to put in a lot of effort.
At the same time, let's learn a new expression - A walk in the park- means that something is very easy to do.

Make up a few sentences using the Present Perfect and share them in the comments.

Video on Present Perfect. In it you will see how actors from films use the present perfect tense. Enjoy watching.

Present Perfect- the tense of English verbs that connects the past with the present - the present completed tense. This is where some confusion begins for Russian people. There is no such tense in our language.

Rules for using Present Perfect

Let's watch a video in which Irina Shipilova, as always, very cheerfully and dynamically, explains in detail this rather complex design for us - the perfect present.

A visual diagram of the connection between the past and the present. Place Present Perfect

Rules for constructing Present Perfect

Auxiliary have/has + Past Participle. Instead of full form have/has very often the English use the contracted version ‘ve/’s - I’ve been there, She’s been there.

Pay special attention to abbreviations she has=she's, he has = he's - It’s important here not to confuse it with another form - she is, he is, which in its abbreviated version looks and is pronounced exactly the same. Can be distinguished by application Past Participle after she has,he has, and also from the context.

Education table Present Perfect


Present Perfect means: before of the moment, no matter When specifically. If a specific time were specified, we would have to use

Use Present perfect. Examples and text.

1. To express a past action that has a result in the present.

The action was usually completed recently:

We 've lost our key. (We haven’t got it now) - We lost our key (we don’t have it now) What have you done to your dress? (It looks strange) - What did you do with your dress? (It looks weird) Jane 's had her baby! - Jane gave birth to a baby! I 've been ruined the meal. It's burnt. - I ruined the food. She burned down. The train hasn't arrived. (We are still waiting for it) - The train has not arrived (We are still waiting for it)

The present perfect is often used with adverbs of indefinite tense, which the acronym will help you remember JEANY

Here you need to pay attention to the fact that these adverbs are placed before Past Participle except YET, which comes after Past Participle:

I haven't done my work yet(Negative) - I haven't done my job yet She hasn't been to Harrods yet(Negative) - She hasn't been to Harrods yet Has the doctor been yet? (Question) - Was there already a doctor? I 've already done my homework— I've already done my homework
2. To express an action that began in the past and is still ongoing.

Often used for, since and how long

We 've lived in the same flat for twenty years - We have been living in the same apartment for twenty years He has worked as a teacher since 2010 - He has been working as a teacher since 2010 How long has she known him? - How long has she known him?
3. To express the experience that we once acquired in life.

The action was committed in the past and has already been completed, but its effect remains. Again, it doesn’t matter when this action was performed, the time is not specified, otherwise you need to use Past Simple.

He 's written a book - He wrote a book Have you ever had an operation? —Have you ever had surgery? Irina has lived in China. — Irina lives in China How many times have you been married?- How many times have you been married?


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Exercises, tests.

1. Present Perfect

Elementary level

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English grammar is often confusing. But a dead end does not mean hopelessness: you can always return to the starting point and start again. A clear explanation of the rules for the formation and use of the Present Perfect Simple tense - one of the most difficult sections of English grammar for children in grade 5 - will help you choose the right direction and avoid dead-end situations.

General information

Before moving on to explaining the basic rules and nuances of using the Present Perfect tense, it is necessary to understand how this tense form is translated into Russian and what it means: its basic differences from other tenses. Present Perfect Tense is the Present Perfect tense used to describe completed, accomplished actions that have a direct connection with the present, the result of these actions affects the present. The main impulse to use the tense form in question is marker words indicating the uncertainty of time. That's it in a nutshell. Now, in more detail on each point: how to understand what time and how to use it.

Education

The basic rules for the formation of affirmative, interrogative, and negation forms are presented in the following table. With its help, you can understand how the Present Perfect formula is formed and how it “works” in practice.

Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect tense

Subjects + have/has + main verb + -ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

I have visited - I visited

You have visited - you visited

He (she, it) has visited - he (she, it) visited

We have visited - we visited

You have visited - you visited

They have visited - they visited

Subjects + have/has + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

I have done - I did

You have done - you did

He (she, it) has done - he (she, it) did

We have done - we did

You have done - you did

They have done - they did

Subjects + have/has + not + main verb + ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

I have not visited - I did not visit

You have not visited - you did not visit

He (she, it) has not visited - he (she, it) did not visit

We have not visited - we did not visit

You have not visited - you did not visit

They have not visited - they did not visit

Subjects + have/has + not + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

I have not done - I didn’t do

You have not done - you didn’t do

He (she, it) has not done - he (she, it) did not do

We have not done - we didn’t do

You have not done - you didn’t do

They have not done - they didn’t do

Have/has + subjects + main verb + ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

Have I visited? - I visited?

Have you visited? - did you visit?

Has he (she, it) visited? - did he (she, it) visit?

Have we visited? - We visited?

Have you visited? - did you visit?

Have they visited? – did they visit?

Have/has + subjects + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

Have I done? - I did?

Have you done? - did you do it?

Has he (she, it) done - did he (she, it) do?

Have we done? - we did?

Have you done? - you did?

Have they done? - they did?

Use

Time Present Perfect Simple takes in English grammar special place.

There are no analogues of Present Perfect Simple in Russian.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand and remember in what cases this tense is used:

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  • To denote an action that occurred in the near past, but its result is observed in the present. In other words, the speaker is not interested in the time when the action occurred, one thing is important to him - the result that connects this event that happened in the past with the present: She is not at home, she has gone to the library - She is not at home, she went to the library (She left and the result in the present is her absence);
  • To convey “life experience”. Such sentences often emphasize how many times the action took place: When have you been to Europe? I have been to Italy three times already - When were you in Europe? I've been to Italy three times already;
  • To denote an action that occurred in an unfinished period of time. To emphasize this incompleteness in the sentence, the phrases this morning (this morning), this evening (this evening), this month (this month), today (today) and others are used: This week she has come to his house twice - This week she came to his house twice.

Companion words

The Present Perfect time usually cannot do without the help of its companions - time indicators that indicate that the action began in the past and ended not so long ago:

  • Never- never (I have never been to England - I have never been to England);
  • Ever- ever (Have you ever read a detective story? - Have you ever read a detective story?);
  • Already- already (She has already finished her work - She has already completed her work);
  • Just- exactly, just, just (He has just called him up - He just called him);
  • Before- before, before (We have heard this strange story before - We heard this strange story before);
  • Not...yet- not yet, still not (My mother has not heard news yet - My mother has not heard the news yet);
  • Lately- recently, a long time ago, recently (She has lately read many books - She has recently read a lot of books);
  • So far- for this hour, by now, up to this moment, already (Her temper has so far been good - Her mood has been good so far);
  • Of late- recently, recently, recently (This wonderful trip has been my dream of late - This wonderful trip has been my dream lately);
  • By now- by now (He has confessed by now - He confessed at the moment);
  • Recently- recently, recently (She has not had any difficulties recently - She has not had any difficulties recently);
  • Up to now- until now, until now (She has not believed people up to now - She did not believe people until now);
  • By now- by now (It always takes 5 minutes to get home after By now I have always been at home at 5 o’clock - The road home after work always takes 5 minutes. By now I have always been at home at 5 o’clock).

In English, double negatives are excluded from sentences. Therefore, the adverb never (never) is used in affirmative sentence. The adverb yet is placed at the end of interrogative or negative sentences. It is not used in affirmatives.

What have we learned?

We got acquainted with the Present Perfect tense - Present Perfect. We examined the basic rules of education, signs and cases of use of this tense. This summary on the topic “Present Perfect Tense” gives a clear explanation, and is an excellent guide for dummies, that is, for beginners learning English, and for advanced students.

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