Present Perfect

Present Perfect = When the work has recently finished, we call it Present Perfect Tense. We also use Present Perfect Tense with since or for. It also works as Present Perfect Continuous, but first, let’s understand Present Perfect.

KJ – What is the definition of Present Perfect?

Mr English – Present Perfect Tense! The work has finished.

KJ – Ummmm! The definition is based on its name.

What is ‘Perfect!’ = Any action or event that we have already experienced. We get the experience and knowledge after we have finished that action or event.

How to get it! = When we finish work, we get knowledge and experience, so the work has finished that is why it is ‘Perfect.’

KJ – CONFUSED? TAKE A LOOK BELOW TO UNDERSTAND IT CLEARLY!

Present Perfect = Any action, event, or activity that has been completed recently with unspecified or indefinite time. We use Present Perfect for “Time up to now.”

Unspecified Time = When the time is not mentioned in the sentence, we call it Unspecified Time.

Indefinite Time = When the time is not fixed or certain by any numbers, we call it Indefinite Time.

We use some common “Indefinite Time” expressions = never, ever, in my life, recently, before, so far, till, until, now, until now, just, still, already, how long…?; yet, etc.

Click to know more about Indefinite Time

Present Perfect Rules

Has + verb 3rd form = He, she, it, this, that, there, here, singular noun, etc.

Have + verb 3rd form = I, you, we, they, these, those, there, here, plural nouns, etc.

Present Perfect Format

Affirmative = Subject + has/have + verb 3rd form + other words.

Negative = Subject + has/have + not + verb 3rd form + other words.

Simple Interro = Has/have + subject + verb 3rd form + other words?

Simple Interro Negative = Has/have + subject + not + verb 3rd form + other words?

Interrogative = Wh-family + has/have + subject + verb 3rd form + other words?

Interrogative Negative = Wh-family + has/have + subject + not + verb 3rd form + other words?

Present Perfect Definition 

1. Recent Completed Event and Action = Any action or event that has been completed recently. We do not mention any specific time “when did that happen?” in the sentence. When the time is unspecified or indefinite. We use the Present Perfect.

e.g. –

• What’s just happened? ( means – ask for recently completed action or event)
• The company has just fired 500 employees. (means – recently completed action or event)
• Ram and Sam have come from London recently. (means – recently completed action or event)
• I have played the guitar just now. (means – recently completed action or event)
• Who has passed the exam? (means – ask for recently completed action or event)
• He has just gone outside. (means – recently completed action or event)

2. Experiences = We simply talk about our experiences from the past until now. We get the experience because we have done the work, action, or event. It is not important to show the time of the experience in the sentence. We do not mention any specific time “when did that happen?” in the sentence. When the time is unspecified or indefinite. We use the Present Perfect.

e.g. –

• I have charged a penalty on lots of passengers. (means – I have done this action a lot of times, so I have experience. Unspecified Time.)
• I have never seen a famous person so, I don’t know how to deal with them. (means – The action or event has not started yet, so I have no experience. “Never” is an indefinite time.)
• They have dived from 30 feet into the pool before. (means – They have done this action or event before, so They have got the experience. “Before” is an indefinite time.)
• We have just delivered 3000 packages. (means – We have just done this action, so we have got the experience. “Just” is an indefinite time.)
• He has cared for a lot of babies. (means – He has done this action a lot, so he has got the experience. Unspecified Time.)
• Beth has given the test couple of times. (means – Beth has done this action a couple of times, so she has got the experience. “A couple of times” is an indefinite time.)

3. Past Event but Present Result = When any events or actions are finished but the result is still in the present, we use Present Perfect. We do not mention any specific time “when did that happen?” in the sentence. When the time is unspecified or indefinite. We use the Present Perfect.

e.g. –

• I have recently broken my leg. [means – I already broke my leg (past event), but the leg is still broken (present result).]
• The fire has burnt the place. [means – The fire already burnt the place (past event), and the place is still burnt (present result).]
• He’s changed his red dress into black. [means – He already changed the red dress (past event), and he is now wearing the black dress (present result).]
• I have locked Kabir in the room. [means – I already locked Kabir in the room (past event), and Kabir is still inside the room (present result).]
• Why have they killed this man? [means – They already killed this man (past event), and This man is still dead (present result).]

4. Time Up To Now = When any action or event refers to time till the moment of speaking (time up to now), we use Present Perfect.

e.g. –

• He has graduated three times. (Time up to now.)
• I have seen all Hollywood movies. (Time up to now.)
• Have you ever failed? (Ask for time up to now.)
• They have escaped from jail cells several times. (Time up to now.)
• She has not solved the riddle yet. (Time up to now.)

Present Perfect as Present Perfect Continuous Tense QUIZ

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