The document discusses the present perfect tense in English. It explains that the present perfect is formed using the present tense of have/has plus the past participle of the main verb. It can be used to describe actions that began in the past and continue in the present, actions that occurred within a period not yet finished, repeated actions over an unspecified time period, and recent completed actions. The document also discusses using the present perfect with words like ever, never, already, yet, for, and since.

1. PRESENT PERFECT

2. 1. Present Perfect - Form
The present perfect of any verb is composed of two
elements : the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb to
have (present tense), plus the past participle of the
main verb. The past participle of a regular verb is
base+ed, e.g. played, arrived, looked. For irregular
verbs, see the Table of irregular verbs
SUBJECT + AUX + MAIN VERB (PAST PART.)
(HAVE/HAS) REGULAR VERB = BASE+ED
IRREGULAR VERB (3rd
column)
1. Present Perfect - Form
The present perfect of any verb is composed of two
elements : the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb to
have (present tense), plus the past participle of the
main verb. The past participle of a regular verb is
base+ed, e.g. played, arrived, looked. For irregular
verbs, see the Table of irregular verbs
SUBJECT + AUX + MAIN VERB (PAST PART.)
(HAVE/HAS) REGULAR VERB = BASE+ED
IRREGULAR VERB (3rd
column)

3. Present perfect, function :
The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past.
The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more
interested in the result than in the action itself.
The Present Perfect is used to describe:
•An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.
Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
•An action performed during a period that has not yet finished.
Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't
over yet.)
•A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
•An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just').
Example: I have just finished my work.
•An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read 'War and
Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)
The Present Perfect is used to describe:
•An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present.
Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
•An action performed during a period that has not yet finished.
Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't
over yet.)
•A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now.
Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
•An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just').
Example: I have just finished my work.
•An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read 'War and
Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)

4. 1. Actions started in the past and
continue in the present.
They haven't lived here for years.
She has worked in the bank for five
years.
We have had the same car for ten
years.
Have you played the piano since you
were a child?
1. Actions started in the past and
continue in the present.
They haven't lived here for years.
She has worked in the bank for five
years.
We have had the same car for ten
years.
Have you played the piano since you
were a child?

5. 2. When the time period referred to has
not finished.
I have worked hard this week.
It has rained a lot this year.
We haven't seen her today.
2. When the time period referred to has
not finished.
I have worked hard this week.
It has rained a lot this year.
We haven't seen her today.

6. 3. Actions repeated in an unspecified
period between the past and now.
They have seen that film six times.
It has already happened several times.
She has visited them frequently.
We have eaten at that restaurant many
times.
3. Actions repeated in an unspecified
period between the past and now.
They have seen that film six times.
It has already happened several times.
She has visited them frequently.
We have eaten at that restaurant many
times.

7. 4. Actions completed in the very recent
past (+just).
Have you just finished your homework?
I have just eaten my sandwich.
We have just seen her new friend.
Has he just left?
4. Actions completed in the very recent
past (+just).
Have you just finished your homework?
I have just eaten my sandwich.
We have just seen her new friend.
Has he just left?

8. 5. When the precise time of the
action is not important or not known.
Someone has stolen my lollipop!
Have you seen ‘Home Alone'?
She's studied Japanese, Russian and
English.
5. When the precise time of the
action is not important or not known.
Someone has stolen my lollipop!
Have you seen ‘Home Alone'?
She's studied Japanese, Russian and
English.

9. PRESENT PERFECT + ever, never, already, yet
The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now
e.g. Have you ever visited Berlin?
'Ever' is used
•in questions.
e.g. Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Lehendakari?
•in negative questions
e.g. Haven't they ever been to Iparralde?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
'Ever' is also used with 'The first time....
e.g. It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.
PRESENT PERFECT + ever, never, already, yet
The adverbs ever and never express the idea of an unidentified time before now
e.g. Have you ever visited Berlin?
'Ever' is used
•in questions.
e.g. Have you ever been to England?
Has she ever met the Lehendakari?
•in negative questions
e.g. Haven't they ever been to Iparralde?
Haven't you ever eaten Chinese food?
'Ever' is also used with 'The first time....
e.g. It's the first time (that) I've ever eaten snails.
This is the first time I've ever been to England.

11. Already
refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests
that there is no need for repetition, e.g.
a. I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (and you're offering me another
one!)
b. Don't telephone John, I've already done it.
Position
already can be placed before the main verb (past participle)…
•I have already been to Tokyo.
Already
refers to an action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests
that there is no need for repetition, e.g.
a. I've already drunk three coffees this morning. (and you're offering me another
one!)
b. Don't telephone John, I've already done it.
Position
already can be placed before the main verb (past participle)…
•I have already been to Tokyo.

12. Yet
is used in negative statements and questions, to mean
(not) in the period of time between before now and now,
(not) up to and including the present. e.g.
•Have you met Galder yet?
•I haven't visited the Eiffel Tower yet.
•Has he arrived yet?
•They haven't eaten yet.
Position
Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.
Yet
is used in negative statements and questions, to mean
(not) in the period of time between before now and now,
(not) up to and including the present. e.g.
•Have you met Galder yet?
•I haven't visited the Eiffel Tower yet.
•Has he arrived yet?
•They haven't eaten yet.
Position
Yet is usually placed at the end of the sentence.

13. PRESENT PERFECT + for, since
Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering
its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since
+ a point in time.
For + a period of time
for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two hours.
I have worked here for five years.
Since + a point in time
since this morning, since last week, since yesterday,
since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock.
I have worked here since 1990.
PRESENT PERFECT + for, since
Using the present perfect, we can define a period of time before now by considering
its duration, with for + a period of time, or by considering its starting point, with since
+ a point in time.
For + a period of time
for six years, for a week, for a month, for hours, for two hours.
I have worked here for five years.
Since + a point in time
since this morning, since last week, since yesterday,
since I was a child, since Wednesday, since 2 o'clock.
I have worked here since 1990.

14. present perfect with for
She has lived here for twenty years.
I have taught at this school for a long time.
Alice has been married for three months.
They have been at the hotel for a week.
Esne Beltza have been on tour for two months.
present perfect with since
She has lived here since 1980.
I have taught at this school since 1985
Alice has been married since March 2nd.
They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.
Esne Beltza have been on tour since Carnival.
present perfect with for
She has lived here for twenty years.
I have taught at this school for a long time.
Alice has been married for three months.
They have been at the hotel for a week.
Esne Beltza have been on tour for two months.
present perfect with since
She has lived here since 1980.
I have taught at this school since 1985
Alice has been married since March 2nd.
They have been at the hotel since last Tuesday.
Esne Beltza have been on tour since Carnival.

15. Present Perfect Simple Past
I have lived in Lyon. I lived in Lyon in 1989.
They have eaten Thai food. They ate Thai food last night.
Have you seen ‘Mirror, Mirror'?. Where did you see Mirror,
Mirror'?
We have been to Ireland. When did you go to Ireland?
Present Perfect of Simple Past?
How to choose between the Present Perfect and Simple Past Tenses
•Always use the Present Perfect when the time is not important, or not
specified.
•Always use the Simple Past when details about the time or place are
specified or asked for.
Present Perfect of Simple Past?
How to choose between the Present Perfect and Simple Past Tenses
•Always use the Present Perfect when the time is not important, or not
specified.
•Always use the Simple Past when details about the time or place are
specified or asked for.

16. JUST (recently)
•I have just finished my
homework.

17. EVER (experience?)
•Have you ever eaten
sushi?

18. NEVER (not experience)
verb in affirmative
•I have never been to
New Zealand.

19. FOR (how long, how
much time)
•I have lived in Mungia
for 12 years.

20. SINCE (…starting time)
•I have worked as a
teacher since 1985.

21. ALREADY
(experience finished)
•I have already studied
for the test.

22. YET? (experience
finished?)
•Have you read the
book yet?

23. NOT YET
(not experience
at this moment)
•I haven’t seen Avatar
yet, but I want to see
it this weekend.

24. EXAMPLES
• Have you ever been to London?
Yes, I have but I’ve never been to Paris, and
I’d like to go there this summer.
• Mum, I have already finished my homework.
Can I watch TV now?
• I have worked here since 1985.
• I have worked here for 28 years.

25. EXAMPLES
• He has lived here for 20 years and next month
he’s moving to Bakio.
• She has played in that band since 1993. That’s
20 years.
• I have just passed my exams. Now I can have a
rest.
• He has just won the lottery but he hasn’t
thought about what to do with all that money
yet.