Present Perfect Tense
Connect the past to the present with have/has + past participle.
Forming it
Subject + have/has + past participle.
- I have finished my homework.
- She has visited Japan twice.
When to use it
For experiences without a specific time, or actions that started in the past and continue now.
- I have never eaten sushi.
- They have lived here for ten years.
Present perfect vs past simple
Use past simple for a finished, specific time. Use present perfect when the time isn't specified or is still relevant.
- I visited Paris in 2019. (past simple)
- I have visited Paris. (present perfect)
Signal words: already, yet, just, ever, never
These words commonly appear with the present perfect. 'Already' and 'just' go before the past participle; 'yet' goes at the end of negatives and questions.
- I have already eaten.
- She has just left.
- Have you finished yet?
- Have you ever been to Egypt?
- I have never tried sushi.
More examples in context
Present perfect connects a past action to the present moment.
- We have known each other since college.
- He has worked here for six months.
- Has she called you back yet?
- They haven't decided where to go.
- I've read that book three times.
- Have you finished your coffee?
Common mistakes to avoid
These are frequent present perfect errors, and how to correct them.
- ✗ I have seen him yesterday. → ✓ I saw him yesterday. (use past simple with a specific time)
- ✗ She has go to the store. → ✓ She has gone to the store.
- ✗ Have you ever went to Japan? → ✓ Have you ever been to Japan?
- ✗ I have live here for ten years. → ✓ I have lived here for ten years.
Quick practice
Complete each sentence with the correct present perfect form, then check your answer.
- I ___ (never/try) Thai food. (answer: have never tried)
- ___ you ___ (finish) the report? (answer: Have ... finished)
- She ___ already ___ (leave) for the airport. (answer: has ... left)
- We ___ (not/see) that movie yet. (answer: haven't seen)
- He ___ (live) in Spain for two years now. (answer: has lived)