Present Perfect Tense
USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now
FORM [has/have + past participle]
Topic 1: To talk about EXPERIENCE
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
David has been to Korea.
Jane has been to Japan five times.
Bob has studied two foreign languages.
I have never been to Mexico. (This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to Mexico.)
He has never traveled by train.
I think I have seen that movie before.
Topic 2: Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
Your children have grown since the last time I saw them.
The government has become more interested in music education.
Chinese has become one of the most popular courses at the college since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to the United States.
My knowledge of cultures has grown since I joined the multicultural club.
Topic 3: Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to ride a bike.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
Michael Phelps have won 18 gold medals as a swimmer.
Topic 4: An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say 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:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Vietnamese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
Topic 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The students have met with several city officials and school principals to discuss their proposal for improving the town's education system.
Jack has had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her knee pain, but nobody knows why her knee hurts.
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now
Examples:
USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now
FORM [has/have + past participle]
Topic 1: To talk about EXPERIENCE
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.
Examples:
David has been to Korea.
Jane has been to Japan five times.
Bob has studied two foreign languages.
I have never been to Mexico. (This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to Mexico.)
He has never traveled by train.
I think I have seen that movie before.
Topic 2: Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.
Examples:
Your children have grown since the last time I saw them.
The government has become more interested in music education.
Chinese has become one of the most popular courses at the college since the Asian studies program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved to the United States.
My knowledge of cultures has grown since I joined the multicultural club.
Topic 3: Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.
Examples:
Man has walked on the Moon.
Our son has learned how to ride a bike.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have split the atom.
Michael Phelps have won 18 gold medals as a swimmer.
Topic 4: An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say 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:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Vietnamese, but she can communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.
Topic 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.
Examples:
The students have met with several city officials and school principals to discuss their proposal for improving the town's education system.
Jack has had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
We have had many major problems while working on this project.
She has talked to several specialists about her knee pain, but nobody knows why her knee hurts.
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now
Examples:
- I have had a cold for three weeks.
- Nora has been in England for six months.
- Diane has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.