Present Perfect

Presentation prepared by

Kristi Reyes

Present Perfect

• Experiences• This verb tense is used to communicate

about experiences in the past and completed events and actions up to and including the present time

Three Main Uses of Present Perfect

• Use 1• Something that started in the past and still

true now and may continue in the future

Now

Examples

• I moved to California in 1998. I still live in California now. I have lived in California since 1998. (I will probably stay in California)

• I took my first class at MiraCosta College last year. I am taking classes there now. I have taken classes at MiraCosta College for a year. (I am going to continue taking classes)

More Example• I got married in 2000. I am still married. I

have been married for a long time. (I will likely stay married)

• I started working at my present job two years ago. I still work there now. I have worked at my present job for two years. (I will continue working there)

• I learned to speak English five years ago. I love to speak English now. I have loved to speak English since I learned to speak it well.

Practice: since or for?Write which word you think belongs in front of the time expression on your paper.

_______ January

_______ 10 years

_______ Monday

_______ 12 noon

_______ I got up

_______ 5 minutes

_______ a long time ago

_______ four days

_______ 6:00

_______ Wednesday

_______ a month

_______ two days ago

_______ November 1

_______ 2004

_______ an hour

_______ I was young

Key words for present perfect

• Since and for• Since + specific point in the past when

the action started

• For + duration, length of time

Three Uses of Present Perfect

• Use 2• Indefinite past action

(time unspecified, unstated, or unknown)

Note: the action happened in the past but no time is stated.

?

Examples:

• I have never been to Northern California.• I haven’t finished my homework yet.• I have gone to Balboa Park in San Diego

before.• I have lived in many different places

during my life.• I have traveled in different states in the

U.S.A.

Three Uses of Present Perfect• Use 3• Repeated past action

Examples:

• I have shopped at the Carlsbad Company Stores several times.

• I have had a few car accidents, but they weren’t my fault!

• I have always come to work on time.• I have stayed up late studying for tests

many nights.

Key words for present perfect

• Before = at some time in the past behind the present time

I have been to Las Vegas before.• Several times, many times, a few times,

a couple of times, a lot of times = for indefinite or repeated past actions

Key words for present perfect

• Already = (adv.) before now

I have already finished my homework.• Not yet = (adv.) not before now

Scientists have not yet discovered a cure.

Key words for present perfect

• Never = (adv.) not at any time

in the past, including now

I have never seen

such a beautiful sunset!

• Ever = (adv.) at any time, including the present

** Used only in questions

Have you ever ridden a horse?

Adverb Placement

• With two verbs (auxiliary and main verb), place the adverb between them

I have never eaten raw fish.

Form of Present Perfect

Subject + have / has + past participle

What is a past participle?• For regular past tense verbs, the –ed

form: liked, walked, worked, talked• For irregular past verbs, memorize:

been, seen, had, eaten, shown, written

See Blackboard and the paper provided in class on past participles.

That’s all, folks!

• Bring your completed note-taking form and any questions you have to class.