Present Perfect

When to use the present perfect tense?

You need to use the present perfect tense when describing situations that happened in the past and are still active till the present moment. We don’t know if it will continue happening in the future, and that should not concern us. You just need to think about the process from the past till the moment.

How to use the Present Perfect Tense?

You need to use (has/ have + verb 3). Look at the subject, if the subject is (he, she, it), use (has). If the subject is (I, they, we, you), use (have). Let’s have a look at the present perfect tense rules to understand the idea better:

The use of (has + verb3):

He + has + verb 3 + object

She + has + verb 3 + object

It + has + verb 3 + object

The use of (have + verb 3): 

I + have + verb 3 + object

They + have + verb 3 + object

We + have + verb 3 + object

You + have + verb 3 + object

*Verb 3 is the past participle form. Like, ( go – went – gone)

(take – took – taken)

(see – saw – seen)

Let’s have a look at the following present perfect tense examples with their explanations to understand the use of this English grammar tense:

I have visited France.

Explanation: The speaker focuses on the experience that happened some time in the past and still up to the present moment.

He has never visited France.

Explanation: until the present moment, he has not experienced traveling to France. We don’t know about the future as it is not of our concern. We only focus on situation that happen or did not happen up to the moment.

The company has expanded its operation.

Explanation: up to the moment, the company’s operation has grown.

She has grown since the last time I saw her.

Explanation: It refers to the continuous changes that happen to her from the past till the moment.

How to form the present perfect tense questions?

You need to start the questions with (have or has) depending on the subject. Use (has) if the subject (he, she, it), and use (have) if the subject (I, they, we, you). Not to forget the use of past participle form. Let’s have a look at the present perfect tense question rules to understand the idea better:

Have + subject + verb 3 + object +?

Has + subject + verb 3 + object + ?

Examples:

Have you finished your homework? = (up to the moment)

Has he gone to the shop? = (still there and has not come back)

Have they attended the meeting? = (up to the moment, maybe the meeting is still on and maybe finished)

How to form negative sentences using the present perfect tense?

You need to use (not) after (have & has) as shown below:

subject + have/ has + not + verb 3 + object

Examples:

He has not finished his homework

They have not arrived on time

I have not had my breakfast

She has not bought a new car

*You can even use the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t). It depends on the person you speak with.