One of my favourite grammars in English is the present perfect. However, I realise that it can be one of the hardest grammars for English learners. Often, learners will avoid using it. After reading this blog, I hope you feel inspired to try and incorporate it into you English. It truly is a beautiful grammar!

WHAT IS IT?

The present perfect is a verb tense used in English to express actions or states that began in the past but have a connection to the present. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb "have" or "has" followed by the past participle of the main verb.

The basic structure of the present perfect is as follows:

Subject + have/has + past participle

Here are some examples:

• "I have seen that movie before."
• "She has visited Paris several times."
• "They have already finished their homework."
• "We have lived in this city for five years."

In these examples, the present perfect tense indicates that the actions (seeing the movie, visiting Paris, finishing homework, living in the city) started at some point in the past and continue up to the present or have a relevance to the present moment.

WHEN DO WE USE IT?

The present perfect tense is used in several situations in English. Here are some common uses of the present perfect:

1. To describe past actions with a present relevance: The present perfect is often used when talking about past experiences or actions that have a connection to the present moment. For example:

   • "I have lost my keys." (The keys are currently missing, and the speaker is affected by it.)
   • "She has written a book." (The book is complete, and it has an impact on the author's present status as a writer.)

2. To talk about an action that started in the past and continues up to the present: The present perfect can be used to express actions that began at some point in the past and are ongoing or have a result in the present. For example:

   • "He has worked at this company for five years." (He started working in the past, and he still works there.)
   • "They have known each other since childhood." (Their acquaintance began in the past and continues up to now.)

3. To discuss past experiences without specifying a precise time: The present perfect can be used when talking about general or indefinite past experiences without mentioning a specific time or date. For example:

   • "Have you ever traveled abroad?" (The question refers to any time in the past until the present moment.)
   • "I have tried sushi." (The speaker doesn't specify when they tried it; it's a general past experience.)

4. To describe recent events or actions: The present perfect can be used to talk about actions or events that have occurred in the recent past, especially when there is a connection to the present. For example:

   • "They have just arrived home." (The action of arriving happened recently and is relevant to the present moment.)
   • "We have recently started a new project." (The start of the project is recent and has an impact on the present situation.)

It's important to note that the use of the present perfect can vary depending on the context and the speaker's intention. Additionally, in some cases, the present perfect can be interchangeable with the simple past tense, especially when a specific past time is mentioned.

LET'S TRY IT!

Click on the link to access exercises that I've taken from the intermediate Language Practice book by Michael Vince and Paul Emmerson. I've also included the answers below as well. Enjoy!

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD EXERCISES & ANSWERS