Present Perfect Tense [Subject + has/have + past participle]

Examples:You have seen that movie many times.Have you seen that movie many times?You have not seen that movie many times.

Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc. Examples:I have seen that movie twenty times.I think I have met him once before.There have been many earthquakes in California.People have traveled to the Moon.People have not traveled to Mars. Have you read the book yet? Nobody has ever climbed that mountain. A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect? Expressing 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. Examples:I have been to France.This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once, or several times.I have been to France three times.You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.I have never been to France.This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.I think I have seen that movie before.He has never traveled by train.

Joan has studied two foreign languages.A: Have you ever met him?B: No, I have not met him.

Expressing change Over TimeWe often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.Examples:You have grown since the last time I saw you.The government has become more interested in arts education.Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program was established.My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.

Expressing accomplishmentsWe 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 read.Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.Scientists have split the atom.‘Thomas is an author. He writes mystery novels and travel memoirs. He has been writing since he was twenty-eight. Altogether, he has written seven novels, three collections of short stories and a book of poetry’.

Expressing An Uncompleted Action You Are ExpectingWe 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 Japanese, but she can communicate.Bill has still not arrived.The rain hasn't stopped.

Duration From the Past Until Now

Examples:I have had a cold for two weeks.She has been in England for six months.Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.I have had this same pair of shoes for three years.I have liked cowboy movies since I was a child. The examples above show that something started in the past and has continued up until now. It is only for Non-Continuous Verbs. Notice the difference between since and for.

Since + a particular time (used to answer the question ‘when’)

For + a duration of time (used to answer the question ‘how long’)

ADVERB PLACEMENTThe examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.Examples:You have only seen that movie one time.Have you only seen that movie one time?

Present Perfect VS Simple Past

1. I (attend, not) _______________ any parties since I came here.

2. Albert (go) _______________ to a party at Sally’s apartment last

Saturday night.

3. Bill (arrive) _______________ here three days ago.

4. Bill (be) _______________ here since the 22nd.

5. Try not to absent from class again for the rest of the term. You

(miss, already) _______________ too many classes. You (miss)

_______________ two classes just last week.

6. So far this week, I (have) _______________ two tests and a quiz.

7. Alex is an artist. He (draw) _______________ many beautiful

pictures in his lifetime. Last week, he (draw) _______________ a

beautiful mountain scene.

8. A: I (be, not) _______________ able to reach Mr. Chang yet. So far

he (respond, not) _______________ to any of my attempts to reach

him.

B: Oh?

A: I (start) _______________ trying to reach him three days ago.

Since then, I (fax) _______________him twice. I (phone)

_______________him four times. And I (send) _______________ at

least six e-mails.

B: I guess modern communication doesn’t mean much if there is

no one at the other end.

9. A: Is Ahmed here yet?

B: Yes, he (arrive, just) _______________

10. Jack really needs to get in touch with you. Since this morning, he

(call) _______________ here four times trying to reach you. He

(call) _______________ at 9:10, 10:25, 12:15, 1:45.

Present Perfect Continuous

(Subject + has/have + been + present participle)

Examples:

You have been waiting here for two hours.

Have you been waiting here for two hours?

You have not been waiting here for two hours.

Complete List of Present Perfect Continuous Forms

USE 1Duration from the Past until Now

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to show that something

started in the past and has continued up until now. "For five

minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all durations that can

be used with the Present Perfect Continuous.

Examples:

They have been talking for the last hour.

She has been working at that company for three years.

What have you been doing for the last 30 minutes?

James has been teaching at the university since June.

We have been waiting here for over two hours!

Why has Nancy not been taking her medicine for the last three

days?

USE 2 Recently, Lately

You can also use the Present Perfect Continuous WITHOUT a duration

such as "for two weeks." Without the duration, the tense has a more

general meaning of "lately." We often use the words "lately" or "recently"

to emphasize this meaning.

Examples:

Recently, I have been feeling really tired.

She has been watching too much television lately.

Have you been exercising lately?

Mary has been feeling a little depressed.

Lisa has not been practicing her English.

What have you been doing?

REMEMBER Non-Continuous Verbs

It is important to remember that Non-Continuous Verbs cannot be

used in any continuous tenses. Instead of using Present Perfect

Continuous with these verbs, you must use Present Perfect.

Examples:

Sam has been having his car for two years. Not Correct

Sam has had his car for two years. Correct

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as

always, only, never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

You have only been waiting here for one hour.

Have you only been waiting here for one hour?

Special words: (live, work, teach)

There is no difference in the meaning between Present Perfect

Tense and Present Perfect Continuous Tense when those words are

constructed using the word since and for.

Example:

I have lived here since 1995. / I have been living here since 1995.

He has worked at the same store for ten years. / He has been working at

the same store for ten years.

Mr. William has taught in LPAI since 2005. / Mr. William has been teaching

in LPAI since 2005.

Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

Mr. Smith: “So tell me a little bit about yourself, Mr. Harris. I would like to find out a little bit more about your background”.

Mr. Harris: “I (work) _________________ in the insurance industry for over ten years. I worked for Met Life for six years and World Insurance for four and a half. During that time, I heard many good things about Hollings Life Insurance and that's why I (apply) _________________for the new sales position”.

Mr. Smith: “Tell me a little about your hobbies and interests”.

Mr. Harris: “In my spare time, I hike in the mountains outside of town, volunteer at the Sierra Club and play tennis. In fact, I (compete) _________________in a tennis tournament this weekend”.

Mr. Smith: “Really, how long (you, play) _________________tennis?”

Mr. Harris: “I (play) _________________since high school. I love the sport”.

Mr. Smith: “Great! We like dedication here at Hollings Life. You mentioned you volunteer at the Sierra Club. I (work, currently) _________________with them on the sea turtle project. We (try) _________________to create a wildlife sanctuary near the bay”.

Mr. Harris: “Do you know Frank Harris? He's my brother. He (work, presently)_________________ on the same project”.

Mr. Smith: “I know Frank quite well. Any brother of Frank's would be a welcome addition to Hollings Life. Just one more thing, we (look) _________________ for somebody who is fluent in Spanish; many of our clients are from Mexico”.

Mr. Harris: “No problem. I (study) _________________Spanish since elementary school”.

Mr. Smith: “Sounds like you are the perfect candidate”.

Present Perfect / Present Perfect Continuous

1. It (snow) _________________ all day. I wonder when it will stop.

2. We (have) _________________ three major snowstorms so far this

winter. I wonder how many more we will have.

3. A: (you, be) _________________ able to reach Bob on the phone

yet?

B: Not yet. I (try) _________________ for the last twenty minutes,

but all I get is a busy signal.

4. A: Hi, Jenny. I (see, not) _________________ you for weeks. What

(you, do) _________________ lately?

B: Studying.

5. A: Dr. Jones is a good teacher. How long (be, he)

_________________at the university?

B: He (teach) _________________ here for twenty-five years.

Complete the following sentences using Present Perfect

Continuous Tense. Do as the example given!

Example:

The baby is crying. She has been crying for almost ten minutes.

1. It is raining. It

…………………………………………………………………………………………

……………

2. I am studying. I

…………………………………………………………………………………………

…………..

3. I am waiting for my friend. I

………………………………………………………..........................

4. Bob is sitting in the waiting room. He

………………………………………………………………..

5. My sister is writing a letter in her room. She

…………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………

Present Continuous / Present Perfect Continuous

1. It (rain) _________________all week. I hope it stops by Saturday because I want to go to the beach.

2. Sid: Where is Gary?

Sarah: He (study, at the library) _________________for his German tests on Wednesday. In fact, he (review)_________________ for the test every day for the last week.

3. You look really great! (You, exercise) _________________ at the fitness center?

4. Frank, where have you been? We (wait) _________________ for you since 1 PM.

5. Tim: What is that sound?

Nancy: A car alarm (ring) _________________ somewhere down the street. It (drive) _________________ me crazy - I wish it would stop! It (ring) _________________ for more than twenty minutes.

6. Joseph's English (improve, really) _________________, isn't it? He (watch) _________________ American television programs and (study) _________________ his grammar every day since he first arrived in San Diego. Soon he will be totally fluent.

7. Dan: You look a little tired. (You, get) _________________ enough sleep lately?

Michelle: Yes, I (sleep) _________________ relatively well. I just look tired because I (feel) _________________ a little sick for the last week.

Dan: I hope you feel better soon.

Michelle: Thanks. I (take, currently) _________________ some medicine, so I should feel better in a couple of days