Present Perfect Tense

The Present Perfect Tense is formed using the following structure: Affirmative: Subject + Have / Has + Past Participle Negative: Subject + Haven't / Hasn't + Past Participle Question: Have / Has + Subject + Past Participle

Affirmative Sentences
Subject Have I "ou He She It %e "ou The# have have has has has have have have Past Rest of the Sentence Participle studied for the e am! bought a new computer! eaten m# chocolate! written an e$mail! been cold this month! won the championship! tried to learn a lot! forgotten m# birthda#!

Contractions
The contracted form of the perfect tense is &uite common: Have I have "ou have He has She has It has %e have "ou have The# have Contraction E amples I've !"ve spent all m# mone#! "ou've #ou"ve worn that dress before! He's He"s slept all morning! She's She"s lost her purse! It's !t"s fallen off the wall! %e've $e"ve chosen #ou for the job! "ou've #ou"ve begun to anno# me! The#'ve The%"ve drun' too much!

%e use contractions a lot when we are spea'ing!

Negative Sentences

The contraction of the perfect tense in negative form is: Have not ( Haven't Has not ( Hasn't Subject Have I "ou He She It %e "ou The# Past Rest of the Sentence Participle haven't studied for the e am! haven't bought a new computer! hasn't eaten m# chocolate! hasn't written an e$mail! hasn't been cold this month! haven't won the championship! haven't tried to learn a lot! haven't forgotten m# birthda#!

Questions
Have Subject Have Have Has Has Has Have Have Have I #ou he she it we #ou the# Past Rest of the Sentence Participle been chosen for the team) bought a new car) eaten m# sandwich) written the letter) started on time) won a troph#) 'ept m# secret) driven there)

$hen &o 'e use the Present Perfect Tense(

)* +nspecifie& point in the past

I have been to Spain three times! *+t some unspecified time in the past, I went to Spain-!

.ompare with the simple past:

I went to Spain three times in /001! *specified time in the past $ the #ear /001-

,* An action that occurre& in the past- but has a result in the present .no'/

%e can't find our luggage! Have #ou seen it) *The luggage was lost in the past, do #ou 'now where it is now)-

0* Tal1ing about general e periences .ever- never/

It usuall# refers to an event happening at some moment in #our life!

Has she ever trie& .hilean wine before) *in her lifeI"ve never eaten mon'e# brains before! *in m# life-

2* Events that recentl% occurre& .just/

2o #ou want to go to a restaurant with me) 3o, than's! I"ve just eaten lunch! *I recentl# ate lunch!-

3* Events that have occurre& up to no' .%et/

+re .arlos and 4odrigo here) 3o, the# haven"t arrive& #et! *the#'re still not here now-

4* Events that occurre& before %ou e pecte& .alrea&%/

I"ve alread# gra&uate& from 5niversit#! *I e pected to graduate at a later date!-

5* Events that began in the past an& haven"t change& .for- since/

6i'e has 'or1e& at %oodward for 7 #ears! *6i'e started wor'ing at %oodward 7 #ears ago and he still wor's there now!8ulie has 'or1e& at %oodward since September last #ear! *8ulie began wor'ing at %oodward in September of last #ear, and that hasn't changed $ she still wor's here now!-

Past Perfect
67R8

9had + past participle: ; amples:

"ou ha& stu&ie& ;nglish before #ou moved to 3ew "or'! Ha& #ou stu&ie& ;nglish before #ou moved to 3ew "or') "ou ha& not stu&ie& ;nglish before #ou moved to 3ew "or'!

.omplete <ist of Past Perfect =orms

+SE ) Complete& Action 9efore Something in the Past

The Past Perfect e presses the idea that something occurred before another action in the past! It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past! ; amples:

I ha& never seen such a beautiful beach before I went to >auai! I did not have an# mone# because I ha& lost m# wallet! Ton# 'new Istanbul so well because he ha& visite& the cit# several times! Ha& Susan ever stu&ie& Thai before she moved to Thailand) She onl# understood the movie because she ha& rea& the boo'! >ristine ha& never been to an opera before last night! %e were not able to get a hotel room because we ha& not boo1e& in advance! +: Ha& #ou ever visite& the 5!S! before #our trip in /00?) @: "es, I ha& been to the 5!S! once before!

+SE , :uration 9efore Something in the Past .Non;Continuous <erbs/

%ith 3on$.ontinuous Aerbs and some non$continuous uses of 6i ed Aerbs, we use the Past Perfect to show that something started in the past and continued up until another action in the past! ; amples:

%e ha& ha& that car for ten #ears before it bro'e down! @# the time +le finished his studies, he ha& been in <ondon for over eight #ears!

The# felt bad about selling the house because the# ha& o'ne& it for more than fort# #ears!

+lthough the above use of Past Perfect is normall# limited to 3on$.ontinuous Aerbs and non$continuous uses of 6i ed Aerbs, the words Blive,B Bwor',B Bteach,B and Bstud#B are sometimes used in this wa# even though the# are 3CT 3on$.ontinuous Aerbs!

!8P7RTANT Specific Times 'ith the Past Perfect

5nli'e with the Present Perfect, it is possible to use specific time words or phrases with the Past Perfect! +lthough this is possible, it is usuall# not necessar#! ; ample:

She ha& visite& her 8apanese relatives once in DEE7 before she moved in with them in DEE?!

MOREOVER

If the Past Perfect action did occur at a specific time, the Simple Past can be used instead of the Past Perfect when BbeforeB or BafterB is used in the sentence! The words BbeforeB and BafterB actuall# tell #ou what happens first, so the Past Perfect is optional! =or this reason, both sentences below are correct! ; amples:

She ha& visite& her 8apanese relatives once in DEE7 before she moved in with them in DEE?! She visite& her 8apanese relatives once in DEE7 before she moved in with them in DEE?!

HOWEVER

If the Past Perfect is not referring to an action at a specific time, Past Perfect is not optional! .ompare the e amples below! Here Past Perfect is referring to a lac' of e perience rather than an action at a specific time! =or this reason, Simple Past cannot be used! ; amples:

She never sa' a bear before she moved to +las'a! Not Correct She ha& never seen a bear before she moved to +las'a! Correct

A:<ER9 P=ACE8ENT
The e amples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: alwa#s, onl#, never, ever, still, just, etc! ; amples:

"ou had previousl% studied ;nglish before #ou moved to 3ew "or'! Had #ou previousl% studied ;nglish before #ou moved to 3ew "or')

ACT!<E > PASS!<E

; amples:

Feorge ha& repaire& man# cars before he received his mechanic's license! Active 6an# cars ha& been repaire& b# Feorge before he received his mechanic's license! Passive

Past Continuous
FORM
[was/were + present participle] Examples:

You were studying when she called. Were you studying when she called? You were not studying when she called.

Complete List of Past Continuous Forms

USE 1 Interrupted Action in the Past

Use the Past Continuous to indicate that a longer action in the past was interrupted !he interruption is usuall" a shorter action in the #imple Past $emem%er this can %e a real interruption or &ust an interruption in time Examples:

I was watching TV when she called. When the phone rang, she was writing a letter. While we were having the picnic, it started to rain. What were you doing when the earthquake started? I was listening to my iPod, so I didn't hear the ire alarm. You were not listening to me when I told you to turn the o!en o . While "ohn was sleeping last night, someone stole his car. #ammy was waiting or us when we got o the plane. While I was writing the email, the computer suddenly went o . $% What were you doing when you &roke your leg? '% I was snowboarding.

USE 2 Specific Time as an Interruption

'n U#E () descri%ed a%o*e) the Past Continuous is interrupted %" a shorter action in the #imple Past +owe*er) "ou can also use a specific time as an interruption Examples:

(ast night at ) P*, I was eating dinner. $t midnight, we were still driving through the desert. Yesterday at this time, I was sitting at my desk at work.

IMPORTANT

'n the #imple Past) a specific time is used to show when an action %egan or finished 'n the Past Continuous) a specific time onl" interrupts the action Examples:

(ast night at ) P*, I ate dinner. I started eating at 6 PM. (ast night at ) P*, I was eating dinner. I started earlier; and at 6 PM, I was in the process of eating dinner.

USE 3 Parallel Actions

,hen "ou use the Past Continuous with two actions in the same sentence) it expresses the idea that %oth actions were happening at the same time !he actions are parallel Examples:

I was studying while he was making dinner. While +llen was reading, Tim was watching tele!ision. Were you listening while he was talking? I wasn't paying attention while I was writing the letter, so I made se!eral mistakes. What were you doing while you were waiting? Thomas wasn't working, and I wasn't working either. They were eating dinner, discussing their plans, and having a good time.

USE Atmosphere
'n English) we often use a series of parallel actions to descri%e the atmosphere at a particular time in the past Example:

When I walked into the o ice, se!eral people were &usily typing, some were talking on the phones, the &oss was yelling directions, and customers were waiting to &e helped. ,ne customer was yelling at a secretary and waving his hands. ,thers were complaining to each other a&out the &ad ser!ice.

USE ! Repetition and Irritation "ith #Al"a$s#

!he Past Continuous with words such as -alwa"s- or -constantl"- expresses the idea that something irritating or shoc.ing often happened in the past !he concept is *er" similar to the expression -used to- %ut with negati*e emotion $emem%er to put the words -alwa"s- or -constantl"- %etween -%e- and -*er%+ing Examples:

#he was always coming to class late. -e was constantly talking. -e annoyed e!eryone. I didn't like them &ecause they were always complaining.

%hile &s' %hen

Clauses are groups of words which ha*e meaning) %ut are often not complete sentences #ome clauses %egin with the word -when- such as -when she called- or -when it %it me - /ther clauses %egin with -while- such as -while she was sleeping- and -while he was surfing ,hen "ou tal. a%out things in the past) -when- is most often followed %" the *er% tense #imple Past) whereas -while- is usuall" followed %" Past Continuous -,hile- expresses the idea of -during that time - #tud" the examples %elow !he" ha*e similar meanings) %ut the" emphasi0e different parts of the sentence Examples:

I was studying when she called. While I was studying, she called.

REMEM(ER )on*+ontinuous ,er-s . Mi/ed ,er-s

't is important to remem%er that 1on2Continuous 3er%s cannot %e used in an" continuous tenses 4lso) certain non2continuous meanings for 5ixed 3er%s cannot %e used in continuous tenses 'nstead of using Past Continuous with these *er%s) "ou must use #imple Past Examples:

"ane was being at my house when you arri!ed. Not Correct "ane was at my house when you arri!ed. Correct

A0,ER( P1A+EME)T

!he examples %elow show the placement for grammar ad*er%s such as: alwa"s) onl") ne*er) e*er) still) &ust) etc Examples:

You were just studying when she called. Were you just studying when she called?

A+TI,E . PASSI,E
Examples:

The salesman was helping the customer when the thie came into the store. Active The customer was being helped &y the salesman when the thie came into the store. Passive

5ore 4%out 4cti*e / Passi*e Forms

Present Perfect
FORM
[has/ha*e + past participle] Examples:

You have seen that mo!ie many times. Have you seen that mo!ie many times? You have not seen that mo!ie many times.

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

USE 1 Unspecified Time (efore )o"

,e use the Present Perfect to sa" that an action happened at an unspecified time %efore now !he exact time is not important 6ou C411/! use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: "esterda") one "ear ago) last wee.) when ' was a child) when ' li*ed in 7apan) at that moment) that da") one da") etc ,e C41 use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: e*er) ne*er) once) man" times) se*eral times) %efore) so far) alread") "et) etc Examples:

I have seen that mo!ie twenty times. I think I have met him once &e ore. There have been many earthquakes in .ali ornia. People have traveled to the *oon.

People have not traveled to *ars. Have you read the &ook yet? /o&ody has e!er climbed that mountain. $% Has there e!er been a war in the 0nited #tates? '% Yes, there has been a war in the 0nited #tates.

2o" 0o 3ou Actuall$ Use the Present Perfect4

!he concept of -unspecified time- can %e *er" confusing to English learners 't is %est to associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPI+ 1 E/perience
6ou can use the Present Perfect to descri%e "our experience 't is li.e sa"ing) -' ha*e the experience of - 6ou can also use this tense to sa" that "ou ha*e ne*er had a certain experience !he Present Perfect is 1/! used to descri%e a specific e*ent Examples:

I have been to 1rance. This sentence means that yo have had the e!perience of "eing in #rance. May"e yo have "een there once, or several times. I have been to 1rance three times. $o can add the n m"er of times at the end of the sentence. I have ne!er been to 1rance. This sentence means that yo have not had the e!perience of going to #rance. I think I have seen that mo!ie &e ore. -e has ne!er traveled &y train. "oan has studied two oreign languages. $% Have you e!er met him? '% /o, I have not met him.

TOPI+ 2 +han5e O&er Time

,e often use the Present Perfect to tal. a%out change that has happened o*er a period of time Examples:

You have grown since the last time I saw you. The go!ernment has become more interested in arts education. "apanese has become one o the most popular courses at the uni!ersity since the $sian studies program was esta&lished. *y +nglish has really improved since I mo!ed to $ustralia.

TOPI+ 3 Accomplishments
,e often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of indi*iduals and humanit" 6ou cannot mention a specific time Examples:

*an has walked on the *oon. ,ur son has learned how to read. 2octors have cured many deadly diseases. #cientists have split the atom.

TOPI+

An Uncompleted Action 3ou Are E/pectin5

,e often use the Present Perfect to sa" that an action which we expected has not happened Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen Examples:

"ames has not finished his homework yet. #usan hasn't mastered "apanese, &ut she can communicate. 'ill has still not arrived. The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPI+ ! Multiple Actions at 0ifferent Times

,e also use the Present Perfect to tal. a%out se*eral different actions which ha*e occurred in the past at different times Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possi%le Examples:

The army has attacked that city i!e times. I have had our qui33es and i!e tests so ar this semester. We have had many ma4or pro&lems while working on this pro4ect. #he has talked to se!eral specialists a&out her pro&lem, &ut no&ody knows why she is sick.

Time E/pressions "ith Present Perfect

,hen we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in our li*es %efore now $emem%er) the exact time the action happened is not important

#ometimes) we want to limit the time we are loo.ing in for an experience ,e can do this with expressions such as: in the last wee.) in the last "ear) this wee.) this month) so far) up to now) etc

Examples:

Have you been to *e5ico in the last year? I have seen that mo!ie si5 times in the last month. They have had three tests in the last week. #he graduated rom uni!ersity less than three years ago. #he has worked or three di erent companies so far. *y car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

-Last "ear- and -in the last "ear- are *er" different in meaning -Last "ear- means the "ear %efore now) and it is considered a specific time which re8uires #imple Past -'n the last "earmeans from 9:; da"s ago until now 't is not considered a specific time) so it re8uires Present Perfect Examples:

I went to *e5ico last year. I went to Me!ico in the calendar year "efore this one. I have been to *e5ico in the last year. I have "een to Me!ico at least once at some point "etween %6& days ago and now.

USE 2 0uration From the Past Until )o" 6)on*+ontinuous ,er-s7

,ith 1on2Continuous 3er%s and non2continuous uses of 5ixed 3er%s) we use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now -For fi*e minutes)- -for two wee.s)- and -since !uesda"- are all durations which can %e used with the Present Perfect Examples:

I have had a cold or two weeks. #he has been in +ngland or si5 months. *ary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

4lthough the a%o*e use of Present Perfect is normall" limited to 1on2Continuous 3er%s and non2continuous uses of 5ixed 3er%s) the words -li*e)- -wor.)- -teach)- and -stud"- are sometimes used in this wa" e*en though the" are 1/! 1on2Continuous 3er%s

A0,ER( P1A+EME)T
!he examples %elow show the placement for grammar ad*er%s such as: alwa"s) onl") ne*er) e*er) still) &ust) etc Examples:

You ha!e only seen that mo!ie one time. -a!e you only seen that mo!ie one time?

A+TI,E . PASSI,E
Examples:

*any tourists have visited that castle. Active That castle has been visited &y many tourists. Passive

Present Perfect Continuous

FORM
[has/ha*e + %een + present participle] Examples:

You have been waiting here or two hours. Have you been waiting here or two hours? You have not been waiting here or two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1 0uration from the Past Until )o"

,e use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something started in the past and has continued up until now -For fi*e minutes)- -for two wee.s)- and -since !uesda"- are all durations which can %e used with the Present Perfect Continuous Examples:

They have been talking or the last hour. #he has been working at that company or three years. What have you been doing or the last 67 minutes? "ames has been teaching at the uni!ersity since "une. We have been waiting here or o!er two hours8 Why has /ancy not been taking her medicine or the last three days?

USE 2 Recentl$8 1atel$

6ou can also use the Present Perfect Continuous ,'!+/U! a duration such as -for two wee.s - ,ithout the duration) the tense has a more general meaning of -latel" - ,e often use the words -latel"- or -recentl"- to emphasi0e this meaning Examples:

9ecently, I have been feeling really tired. #he has been watching too much tele!ision lately. Have you been exercising lately? *ary has been feeling a little depressed. (isa has not been practicing her +nglish. What have you been doing?

IMPORTA)T
$emem%er that the Present Perfect Continuous has the meaning of -latel"- or -recentl" - 'f "ou use the Present Perfect Continuous in a 8uestion such as -+a*e "ou %een feeling alright<-) it can suggest that the person loo.s sic. or unhealth" 4 8uestion such as -+a*e "ou %een smo.ing<- can suggest that "ou smell the smo.e on the person Using this tense in a 8uestion suggests "ou can see) smell) hear or feel the results of the action 't is possi%le to insult someone %" using this tense incorrectl"

REMEM(ER )on*+ontinuous ,er-s. Mi/ed ,er-s

't is important to remem%er that 1on2Continuous 3er%s cannot %e used in an" continuous tenses 4lso) certain non2continuous meanings for 5ixed 3er%s cannot %e used in continuous tenses 'nstead of using Present Perfect Continuous with these *er%s) "ou must use Present Perfect Examples:

#am has been having his car or two years. Not Correct #am has had his car or two years. Correct

A0,ER( P1A+EME)T
!he examples %elow show the placement for grammar ad*er%s such as: alwa"s) onl") ne*er) e*er) still) &ust) etc Examples:

You ha!e only &een waiting here or one hour. -a!e you only &een waiting here or one hour?

A+TI,E . PASSI,E
Examples:

9ecently, "ohn has been doing the work. Active 9ecently, the work has been being done &y "ohn. Passive

1/!E: Present Perfect Continuous is less commonl" used in its passi*e form 5ore 4%out 4cti*e / Passi*e Forms