A2 English GrammarPresent Perfect Tense
Connect past actions to the present using have/has + past participle. Use for experiences, recent events, and unfinished time periods.
Practice in interactive stories
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1Forming the Present Perfect
Form the present perfect with have/has + past participle. Use 'have' with I, you, we, they and 'has' with he, she, it. Regular past participles end in -ed (same as past simple). Irregular verbs have special forms.
Present Perfect Formation
| Subject | Have/Has | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|
| I/You/We/They | have | worked / gone / seen |
| He/She/It | has | worked / gone / seen |
Examples
I have finished my homework.
I have finished my homework.
have + finished
She has lived here for 5 years.
She has lived here for 5 years.
has + lived
We have seen that movie.
We have seen that movie.
have + seen (irregular)
He has gone to work.
He has gone to work.
has + gone (irregular)
2When to Use Present Perfect
Use present perfect for: life experiences (ever/never), recent actions with present results, unfinished time periods (today, this week), and with 'just', 'already', 'yet'. Don't use with specific past times (yesterday, last week, in 2020).
Present Perfect Uses
| Use | Example | Time Words |
|---|---|---|
| Experience | I have been to Japan. | ever, never, before |
| Recent action | I have just eaten. | just, already, yet |
| Unfinished time | I have worked today. | today, this week, this year |
| Result now | She has lost her keys. | (keys are still lost) |
Examples
Have you ever eaten sushi?
Have you ever eaten sushi?
life experience
I've just finished.
I've just finished.
very recent action
She hasn't called yet.
She hasn't called yet.
expected but not done
I've already seen it.
I've already seen it.
sooner than expected
3Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Present perfect connects to now; past simple is finished. Use past simple with specific times (yesterday, in 2020). Use present perfect when the time is not specific or continues to now.
Present Perfect vs Past Simple
| Present Perfect | Past Simple |
|---|---|
| I have been to Paris. | I went to Paris in 2019. |
| She has lost her phone. | She lost her phone yesterday. |
| I've eaten today. | I ate at 7 AM. |
Examples
I've read that book. (experience)
I've read that book.
when doesn't matter
I read it last month. (specific time)
I read it last month.
past simple with time
Have you seen John? (recently)
Have you seen John?
recent/relevant now
Did you see John yesterday?
Did you see John yesterday?
specific time = past simple
4For and Since
Use 'for' with a period of time (how long) and 'since' with a point in time (when it started). Both are common with present perfect for situations that started in the past and continue to now.
For vs Since
| For (period) | Since (point) |
|---|---|
| for 2 years | since 2022 |
| for 3 hours | since 9 AM |
| for a long time | since I was a child |
| for ages | since last summer |
Examples
I have lived here for ten years.
I have lived here for ten years.
for + period
She has worked here since 2015.
She has worked here since 2015.
since + point in time
We have known each other for ages.
We have known each other for ages.
for + period
He hasn't eaten since morning.
He hasn't eaten since morning.
since + point
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'She ___ lived here for 5 years.'
Complete: '___ you ever eaten sushi?'
Complete: 'I have worked here ___ 2015.'
Complete: 'I ___ that movie last week.'
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“'Yes, really. You have been working here for three years now.'”
“'I have never been more ready,' Emma answers.”
“'Have you ever skied before?' he asked.”
“'We have just signed a big contract with a new client.'”
“They have been friends since they were children.”
Practice with A2 Stories
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