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Foundation English II
Getting to Know the Perfect Tense
James Smith was born in England. He is English.
He moved to Thailand in 2007. Now, he lives near
Sukhumvit Road and works as a part-time
English teacher at Bangkok Prep International
School.
Therefore, James Smith has lived in Bangkok
for seven years.
When should we use
the Present Perfect tense?
There is always a connection with the past and with the
present. We normally use present perfect tense to talk
about:
• experiences
• an event/ situation which started in the past and
continues up to now
Form of Present Perfect
Have/ Has + Past Participle (V3)
I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been in England for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.
What is a Past Participle?
For regular past tense verbs = the –ed form:
liked, walked, worked, talked
For irregular past verbs = memorize:
been, seen, had, eaten, shown, written
Present Perfect Forms
Affirmative
Negative
Question
I have travelled to
America.
I have not travelled to Have you ever
America.
travelled to America?
They have drunk
coffee since 10.00.
They have not drunk
coffee since 10.00.
Have they drunk
coffee since 10.00?
She has slept since
last night.
She has not slept
since last night.
Has she slept since
last night?
Americans do not use the present perfect tense as much as British
speakers do. The Americans often use the past tense instead. An
American might say "Did you have lunch?", while a British person would
say "Have you had lunch?"
Use1: Present Perfect Tense for Experiences
We often use the present perfect tense to talk about experience from
the past. We are not interested in when you did something. We only want to
know if you have done and have experienced it. TIP!! We often use never
and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.
Have you ever seen Twilight?
I have been to Australia.
We have never eaten caviar.
Past
The action or state
happened in the
past.
Present
In my head, now…
I have a memory of the event.
I know something about the
event.
I have experienced it.
Future
Use 2: Present Perfect for Continuing Event
We often use the present perfect tense to talk about a event that
started in the past and continues in the present (and will probably
continue into the future). This is a state (not an action!!). Tip!! We often
use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.
I have worked here since June.
He has been ill for 2 days.
I have known Tara for a year.
Past
Present
Future
---I--------------------------------------------------I
The situation
started in the past.
It continues up to now.
(It will probably
continue into the
future.)
Key Words for Present Perfect
Already = (adv.) before now
I have already finished my homework.
Not yet = (adv.) not before now
Scientists have not yet discovered a cure.
Since and for
Since + specific point in the past when the
action started
For + duration, length of time
Key Words for Present Perfect
Ever = (adv.) at any time, including the present
** Used only in questions
Have you ever ridden a horse?
Before = at some time in the past behind the present
time
I have been to Las Vegas before.
Several times, many times, a few times, a couple of
times, a lot of times = for indefinite or repeated past
actions
Reminder about Adverb Placement
With two verbs (auxiliary and main verb), place the
adverb between them
I have already finished my homework.
Present Perfect
VS
Past Simple
Remember!
Grammar has meaning!
Different grammar tenses are used in different
situations or contexts and they carry different
meanings.
For example . . .
Use the Simple
Past for action
that happened in
the past and is ...
finished!
Use the Present
Perfect for action
that started in the
past, but ...
is still true today.
The Simple Past always refers to an
action or situation that is finished.
The Present Perfect connects the past
and the present. It is used to show that an
action or situation in the past that ...
- continues today, OR
- might happen again
Past Simple
Compare
the meaning of these two sentences:
Present Perfect
1. Sara lived in Boston for 5 years.
2. Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.
The first sentence uses: Past Simple
The second sentence uses: Present Perfect
Sara lived in Boston for 5 years.
Meaning: Sara started living in Boston 5 years
ago . . . AND . . . then she moved!
Now she lives in a different city, Paris maybe.
Remember, the simple past is used for a
situation that is over, finished, or done!
Sara has lived in Boston for 5 years.
Meaning: Sara began living in Boston 5
years ago . . . AND . . . she still lives there.
Remember, Present Perfect connects the past
with the present.
Use the Past Simple
with time words like:
Use the Present Perfect
with time words like:
• yesterday
• recently/ lately
• last Saturday, week,
month, year, etc.
• since …
• so far
• ago
• when I was…
• in 1990 (past date)
Sleep
Slept
Slept
Remember!
If you are talking about a specific
time in the past (yesterday, last month,
etc.), you cannot use the present perfect.
In these cases, USE the Past Simple.
Complete the sentences with either the Past
Simple or Present Perfect.
1. When I was a child, I _____________
(swim) a lot.
swam
2. So far this week, we _____________
have studied (study) a lot.
have been
3. They ________________
(be) very sick recently.
4. I ______________
(have) a terrible headache yesterday.
had
5. It _________________
(rain) a lot lately.
has rained
6. They ________________
(get) married ten years ago.
got
7. I ________________
(be) to Balboa Park many times.
have been
8. My family _______________
(take) a vacation last year.
took