Introduction to the Present Perfect Tense

Uses of Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect tense is used for many different functions to link the present and the past, then I will explain to you the most important uses of this grammatical structure, so... let´s start:

The basic form is: subject + (has/have + past participle)

Some examples are:

• I have lived in Chicago since 1998

• We have visited China several times

• He has read 'Hunger Games'

Use #1 ACTIONS REPEATED IN AN UNSPECIFIED PERIOD BETWEEN THE PAST AND NOW 

Here the exact time is not important, so we use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. ..

For example:

• They have seen that movie many times!
• It has happened several times already.
• She has visited Barcelona frequently.

Use #2 ACTIONS STARTED IN THE PAST AND CONTINUING IN THE PRESENT

Here we use the words for (with a length of time) and since (with a starting time)  along with the present perfect.

She has lived in China for five years.

(She started living in China five years ago, and she's still living there now.)

She has worked at the Museum since 2006.

(She started working at the Museum in 2006, and she's still working there now.)

Use #3 WHEN THE TIME PERIOD REFERRED TO HAS NOT FINISHED

For example:

• I have worked hard this week.
• It has rained a lot this year.
• We haven't seen her today.

Use#4 WHEN THE PRECISE TIME OF THE ACTION IS NOT IMPORTANT OR NOT KNOWN

• Someone has read my news paper!

• Have you seen 'Alice in Wonderland'?
• She's visited Japan, Russia and England.

Now you are ready for some practice:

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Many practice about PPT