Present Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

Present Perfect Tense With Examples

Usages of the Present Perfect Tense

Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past

“Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past” refer to events that occurred before now, but the exact timing isn’t specified or isn’t important. This is often conveyed using the present perfect tense.

Examples:

Actions that have a connection to the present moment

“Actions that have a connection to the present moment” refer to events or activities that occurred at some point before the present time and are relevant or significant in the current context. These actions may have an impact on the present situation, or they may be recent events that continue to influence the current situation. This connection to the present moment is often expressed using the present perfect tense in English.

Examples:

Past actions with present relevance

“Past actions with present relevance” refer to actions or events that occurred in the past but still have some significance or impact on the present moment. These actions are relevant or important in the context of the current situation or discussion.

Examples:

Emphasizing the result or completion of an action

“Emphasizing the result or completion of an action” means highlighting the successful or finished aspect of an activity. It focuses on the outcome, not the process. This is often expressed using language that emphasizes achievement or completeness.

Examples:

Present Perfect Tense Chart

Present Perfect Tense Chart with Definition, Rules, Structure, Usages, Example Sentences

Signal Words

Signal words in the present perfect tense are words or phrases that indicate the use of this specific tense. They often suggest a connection between the past and the present. Like Already, Just, Ever, Never, Not yet, So far, Have… ever, Have… yet, How long, etc.

Examples:

Time Expressions

Time expressions play a crucial role in providing context to actions or events described in the present perfect tense. They help indicate when the action took place or for how long it has been occurring.

Examples:

Forming the Present Perfect Tense

Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative sentences in present perfect tense describe actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past with a connection to the present. They use have (for plural subjects and I ) or has (for singular subjects like he, she, it ) followed by the past participle form of the main verb.

Subject + has/have + verb(3rd form) + object.

Examples:

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Subject has/have Verb (3rd Form) Object
She has eaten breakfast
They have visited the museum
He has watched the movie
The cat has slept all day
I have read a book
We have cooked dinner
She has cleaned her room
He has finished his homework
They have played soccer
The sun has set (none)
I have taken a shower
They have painted the walls
She has written a letter
He has fixed the car
The dog has chased its tail
I have learned a new word
They have bought a new car
She has danced in the rain
We have planted flowers
He has sung a song

Negative Sentences

Negative sentences in the present perfect tense indicate that actions or events have not happened up to the present moment. They use haven’t (for plural subjects and I ) or hasn’t (for singular subjects like he, she, it ) followed by the past participle form of the main verb.

Subject + has/have + not + verb (3rd form) + object.

Examples:

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Subject has/have + not Verb (3rd Form) Object
She hasn’t eaten breakfast
They haven’t visited the museum
He hasn’t watched the movie
The cat hasn’t slept all day
I haven’t read a book
We haven’t cooked dinner
She hasn’t cleaned her room
He hasn’t finished his homework
They haven’t played soccer
The sun hasn’t set (none)
I haven’t taken a shower
They haven’t painted the walls
She hasn’t written a letter
He hasn’t fixed the car
The dog hasn’t chased its tail
I haven’t learned a new word
They haven’t bought a new car
She hasn’t danced in the rain
We haven’t planted flowers
He hasn’t sung a song

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in the present perfect tense ask questions about actions that have a connection to the present moment. They start with Have (for plural subjects and b) or Has (for singular subjects like he, she, it ), followed by the subject, and then the past participle form of the main verb.

Has/have + subject + verb (3rd form) + object?

Examples:

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Has/Have Subject Verb (3rd Form) Object?
Has She eaten breakfast?
Have They visited the museum?
Has He watched the movie?
Has The cat slept all day?
Have I read a book?
Have We cooked dinner?
Has She cleaned her room?
Has He finished his homework?
Have They played soccer?
Has The sun set -?
Have I taken a shower?
Have They painted the walls?
Has She written a letter?
Has He fixed the car?
Has The dog chased its tail?
Have I learned a new word?
Have They bought a new car?
Has She danced in the rain?
Have We planted flowers?
Has He sung a song?

Contrast with Simple Past Tense

Here’s a more clear and concise table contrasting the Simple Past Tense with the Present Perfect Tense:

Aspect Simple Past Tense Present Perfect Tense
Time of Action Specific point in the past. Unspecified time in the past, with a connection to the present.
Emphasis When the action happened. Result or completion of the action, relevance to the present.
Examples She visited Paris last summer. She has visited Paris. (Emphasizing the visit, not when.)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes to avoid when using the present perfect tense:

1. Mixing up ‘have’ and ‘has’:

Use have with pronouns like I, you, we, and they. Use has with he, she, and it.

Example: Incorrect – “He have finished the task.” Correct – “He has finished the task.”

2. Forgetting the past participle form:

Use the past participle form of the verb after have or has.

Example: Incorrect – “She has went to the store.” Correct – “She has gone to the store.”

3. Using the present perfect for specific times:

Avoid using the present perfect when you want to specify a particular time in the past.

Example: Incorrect – “They have visited the museum yesterday.” Correct – “They visited the museum yesterday.”

4. Using present perfect with time expressions that require past tense:

Some time expressions like yesterday, last week, and in 2005 require past tense, not present perfect.

Example: Incorrect – “I have seen that movie last night.” Correct – “I saw that movie last night.”

5. Confusing present perfect with past continuous:

Be clear about whether you want to emphasize the result (present perfect) or the ongoing action (past continuous).

Example: Incorrect – “She has been cooking when I arrived.” Correct – “She had been cooking when I arrived.” (past continuous)

Present Perfect Tense Example Sentences

Affirmative Sentences:

  1. We have bought fruit.
  2. It has ceased raining.
  3. The bell has rung.
  4. The sun has set.
  5. The child has slept.
  6. The clock has struck four.
  7. Sana has won the prize.
  8. The students have taken the examination.
  9. Our army has defeated the enemy.
  10. We have revised our lesson.
  11. The bird has flown away.
  12. I have seen that movie.
  13. They have completed the puzzle.
  14. She has visited her grandparents.
  15. He has called his friend.
  16. We have played a board game.
  17. The cake has been baked.
  18. I have ridden a bike.
  19. They have taken a photo.
  20. She has finished her painting.

Negative Sentences:

  1. He has not cheated you.
  2. The sun has not set.
  3. The train has not steamed off.
  4. We have not taken tea.
  5. The hen has not laid an egg.
  6. You have not kept your promise.
  7. It hasn’t rained today.
  8. He hasn’t met his new neighbor.
  9. We haven’t had lunch yet.
  10. She hasn’t opened the package.
  11. They haven’t found their keys.
  12. I haven’t visited Paris.
  13. They haven’t finished their work yet.
  14. She hasn’t seen that movie.
  15. We haven’t traveled to Europe.
  16. He hasn’t met his new neighbors.
  17. The hen hasn’t laid an egg.
  18. They haven’t studied Spanish.
  19. She hasn’t learned to play the guitar.
  20. He hasn’t read that book.

Interrogative Sentences:

  1. Why have you not waited for me?
  2. Why have you come so late?
  3. Where have you come from?
  4. Have you received the parcel?
  5. Have you locked your bicycle?
  6. Have you ever traveled to Asia?
  7. Has she finished reading the novel?
  8. Have they visited the new art gallery?
  9. Have you learned any new languages recently?
  10. Has he met the famous author?
  11. Have we received any updates on the project?
  12. Has the company released their latest software?
  13. Have you tried the new restaurant in town?
  14. Has she seen the latest superhero movie?
  15. Have they ever been to a live concert?
  16. Have you painted any new artwork lately?
  17. Has he bought a new car this year?
  18. Have they completed the challenging puzzle?
  19. Have you taken any exciting trips recently?
  20. Has she won any awards for her writing?

Quiz:

1. Have you ever __________ to Paris?

2. She __________ her homework already.

a) has finished b) finished

3. They __________ the new restaurant downtown.

a) have tried b) tried

4. He __________ in that company for five years.

a) has worked b) worked

5. We __________ to the beach this summer.

a) have not been b) not been

6. Has she __________ her book yet?

a) finished b) finish

7. I __________ this movie before.

a) have seen b) saw

8. They __________ a new car recently.

a) have bought b) bought

9. The team __________ the championship last year.

a) won b) have won

10. She __________ English for three years.

a) has studied b) studied

11. Have they __________ to the new exhibit?

12. He __________ the report just now.

a) has submitted b) submitted

13. I __________ my keys. I can’t find them.

a) have lost b) lost

14. They __________ to that concert twice.

a) have been b) was

15. She __________ a great job on the presentation.

a) has done b) did

16. Has the company __________ the new product yet?

a) released b) release

17. We __________ a lot of progress in our project.

a) have made b) made

18. Have you __________ dinner yet?

19. They __________ their flight on time.

a) have caught b) caught

20. She __________ to many countries in Europe.

a) has traveled b) traveled

Answers:

  1. a) been
  2. a) has finished
  3. a) have tried
  4. a) has worked
  5. a) have not been
  6. a) finished
  7. a) have seen
  8. a) have bought
  9. a) won
  10. a) has studied
  11. a) been
  12. a) has submitted
  13. a) have lost
  14. a) have been
  15. a) has done
  16. a) released
  17. a) have made
  18. a) had
  19. a) have caught
  20. a) has traveled

FAQS:

  1. What is the present perfect tense?
  2. How is the present perfect tense formed?
  3. What is the difference between “have” and “has” in the present perfect tense?
  4. What are some common signal words for the present perfect tense?
  5. Can I use specific time expressions with the present perfect tense?
  6. How does the present perfect tense differ from the simple past tense?

Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources

You May Also Like