Present Perfect Tense is used to define actions which occurred in past but when did they complete is not known and not important at the time of speaking.
Uses of this tense are often confused with Past Simple tense which is also seems to be used for similar scenarios. But there is a slight difference between the two which we will discuss in Simple Past Tense vs Present Perfect Tense.
Formation of Present Perfect Tense:
Subject + Has/Have + 3rd form of verb + rest of the sentence.
He + has + written + a letter.
* Here we are using third form of ‘write’ as ‘written’.
HAS/HAVE are used as per below rule:
‘HAS’ is used with singular subjects (He,She,it, Any name).
‘Have’ is used with plural subjects (We, They).
Present Perfect Tense is used in below Scenarios:
- To describe an action that started in past but time of completion is not known:
This tense is used when we know that an action has occurred in past but it is not completed yet. Most often it is used with ‘since’, ‘for’.
Examples :
I have worked for 3 hours already.
* Here ‘I’ started working 3 hours before and I am still working.
I have known her since her childhood.
* And I have known her and still know her
-
To describe an action that completed in past but time of completion is not known :
When we discuss something has happened in past without mentioning the time.We use this tense.
Examples:
Rahul has met Ganesh before.
They have visited this temple 3 times.
* Here we don’t know when Rahul meet Ganesh, but we know he has met him. Here we don’t know exactly when they visited the temple.
-
Tasks done in a period that has not finished yet :
When we talk about the actions which are done in a period but that period is not finished yet. We use this tense.
Example:
He has visited Lonavala two times this month.
* Here visit to ‘Lonavala’ has been done this month and month has not completed at the time of speaking.
They have worked hard this year. (Year is not complete yet)
-
Recently completed actions with keyword ‘JUST’, ‘Recently’:
Actions which completed in recent past.We use this tense.
Example:
I have just finished my meal.
Scientists have recently discovered a new planet.
Types of Present Perfect Tense:
-
Affirmative Present Perfect Tense:
Rule to form Affirmative Present Perfect Tense:
Subject + Has/Have + 3rd form of verb + rest of the sentence.
He + has + written + a letter.
-
Negative Present Perfect Tense:
Rule to form Negative Present Perfect Tense:
Subject + Has/Have +not + 3rd form of verb + rest of the sentence.
He + has + not + written + a letter.
-
Interrogative Present Perfect Tense:
Rule to form Interrogative Present Perfect Tense:
Has/Have + Subject + 3rd form of verb + rest of the sentence?
Has + he + has + written + a letter?
-
Interrogative Negative Present Perfect Tense:
Rule to form Interrogative Present Perfect Tense:
Has/Have + Subject + not + 3rd form of verb + rest of the sentence?
Has + he + not + written + a letter?
Present Perfect Tense Examples:
| Affirmative Present Perfect Tense I have purchased the book. He has seen her this month. They have been to Paris. We have already discussed this issue multiple times. |
Negative Present Perfect TenseI have not purchased the book. He has not seen her this month. They have not been to Paris. We have not already discussed this issue multiple times. |
| Interrogative Present Perfect TenseHave I purchased the book? Has he seen her this month? Have they been to Paris? Have we already discussed this issue multiple times? |
Interrogative Negative Present Perfect TenseHave I not purchased the book? Has he not seen her this month? Have they not been to Paris? Have we not already discussed this issue multiple times? |
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