Present perfect tense is a verb which is used for the past events which has relationship with present it is has auxiliary verbs or helping verbs ( have and has) for example I have finished writing the lesson.
In this article we will clarify whatever you need about present perfect tense how and when is used will give understandable examples that will make clear the important points of this tense be with us till the end by reading every point.
What is present perfect tense?
Present perfect tense is used to express a special action which has just finished or completed before minutes. It also used to express the relationship between present and the past event.
Also there are other scholars’s definitions, these definitions may be different at the words but there are same meaning.
How to form present perfect tense?
The most important thing you have know before you start using this crucial tense is that the verbs are two kinds regular and irregular verbs
In regular verbs the past participle formed by “ed” or “d” to the base form of the verb. If the verb doesn’t end in “e” add “ed” for example:-
Kill—————–> killed
Act——————> acted
Dress—————> dressed
Enjoy—————-> Enjoyed
If the regular verb ends in “e” add only “d” for example:-
Behave————-> behaved
Freeze————–> Freezed
Dance————–> Danced
Imagine———–> imagined
If the regular verb ends in “y” and a consonant comes before the “y” change the “y” into “i” and then add “ed” for example:-
Cry—————> cried
Dry—————> dried
Identify——–> Identified
Fry————–> fried
Note if a vowel comes before the “y” add only “ed” without changing the the “y” example:-
Betray—————> Betrayed
Enjoy—————-> Enjoyed
Stay——————> stayed
Play——————> played.
some irregular verbs the root verb doesn’t change , some of them are mentioned below.
Cut————–> cut
Put————–> put
Shut ————> shut
Quit————-> quit
Bet————–> bet
Shed————> shed
Read————> read
some other irregular verbs the root verb changes, some of them are mentioned below.
Bring———–> brought
Buy————-> bought
Go—————> gone
Speak———-> spoken
Write———-> written
Pay————-> paid
Build———-> built
Fight———-> fought
Drive———-> driven
What are the helping verbs or auxiliary verbs of present perfect tense?
The auxiliary verbs of present perfect tense are:-
have and has.
Use have with ( we, they, you, I or plural nouns) acting as subject.
Example
We have read the book
They have gone to the market.
You have written the letter.
I have watched the match.
Teachers have explained the lessons.
Use has with ( he, she, it or singular nouns) action as subject.
Example
It has flied.
She has cooked the food.
He has bought a new car.
A teacher has explained the lesson.
How use to present perfect tense
Some uses present perfect tense are:-
■ It is used to indicate an event that started past time still has relationship with the subject in present.
Example
My teacher has taught me speaking English
■ it used to express an action which started in the past and still continue
For example
The player has played football since when he was 12 years old.
■ It also used to express an action with finished many times in the past.I have watched this flim eight times.
Structure of present perfect tense and examples
The structure of present perfect tense can be statement/Affirmative, negative, question and also question with Negative. The basic formula of this tense is subject plus have/has plus past participle plus other part of the sentence.
Present perfect tense for Affirmative
When the question is Affirmative or statement we will use the flowing formula:-
Subject +have/has +past participle + other part of the sentence.
Examples
I have gone to the school.
They have learnt English.
We have worked in this office.
He has paid for her.
She has prepared the food.
Present perfect tense for negative
If the sentence is negative use this formula:-
Subject +have/has+ not +past participle + other part of the sentence.
Examples
I have not gone to the school.
They have not learnt English.
We have not worked in this office.
He has not paid for her.
She has not prepared the food.
Present perfect tense for question
When the sentence is question/ interrogative we will use the fiormula below:-
Have/has+ sùbject +past participle + other part of the sentence.
Examples
Have Igone to the school?
Have they learnt English?
Have we worked in this office?
Has he paid for her?
Has she prepared the food?
Present perfect tense for question with Negative
If the sentence is question with question use this formula:-
Have/has+ not+ sùbject +past participle + other part of the sentence.
Examples
Haven’t I gone to the school?
Haven’t they learnt English?
Haven’t we worked in this office?
Hasn’t he paid for her?
Hasn’t she prepared the food?
Present perfect tense exercise
Fill the blank space with the correct of present perfect tense
1) The Principal ______ ______(speak) to Ali.
2) I have _________ (come) from the market.
3) The people have ______ (seee) the bandits.
4) They____ _____ _______ (get) It.
5) ______ Siham ________ (finish) the exercise?
6) ______ it _________ (jump) over the wall?
7) Muhammad has _______(visit) Gambole.
8) Aisha ______ ____ _______ (write) the lesson yet.
9) ____ ____ the teacher _____ (go) to the party?
10) ______ ____ the players ______(play) The football match?
11) I _____ ______ ______ (eat) the food.
12) he_____ ________ (buy) a new phone from Bakaro.
13) The boys____ ______ (win) the c ompetition.
14) the children ______ _______ (grow) immediately
15) Abdurahman ______ _______ (read) the book.
Look at the answers below carefully.
1) The Principal has spoken to Ali.
2) I have come from the market.
3) The people have seen the bandits.
4) They have not gotten It.
5) Has Siham finished exercise?
6) Has it jumped over the wall?
7) Muhammad has visited Gambole.
8) Aisha has not written the lesson yet.
9) Has not the teacher gone to the party?
10) Have not the players played The football match?
11) I have not eaten the food.
12) He has bought a new phone from Bakaro.
13) The boys have won the competition.
14) the children have grown immediately
15) Abdurahman has read the book.
Frequently asked questions on present perfect tense
What is present perfect tense?
The definition of present perfect tense according to Cambridge Dictionary is”the form of the verb for action or events that have been completed or have happened in a period of time up to now”.however present perfect tense is used to express an action which have finished or completed in few minutes ago.
Some examples of present perfect tense
Here are some examples:-
I have cooked the dinner.
They have spoken to her.
Have they come from there.
How to use present perfect tense
Present perfect tense can be used as follows:-
●It is used to indicate an event that started past time still has relationship with the subject in present.
●It used to express an action which started in the past and still continue
●It is also used to express an action with finished many times in the past.
What are the auxiliary verbs or helping verbs of present perfect tense?
The auxiliary verbs of present perfect tense are:-have and has.
Use have with ( we, they, you, I or plural nouns) acting as subject.
Use has with ( he, she, it or singular nouns) action as subject.
Other Grammar Links
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