Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect Tense is used to express an event that started in the past and the
impact of the event is now continuing (or a long-running event that started in the past and is
still going on). This tense is used to express actions completed recent past. In this tense, it is
important whether the event occured or not. ( or the result of the event is important, not the
time of the event ).

The Structures of Present Perfect Tense

1. Positive Forms (+):

Subject ( I, You, We, You, They ) + HAVE + V3 ( third form of main verb – past
participle )

Subject ( He, She, It ) + HAS + V3 ( third form of main verb – past participle )

2. Negative Forms (-):

Subject ( I, You, We, You, They ) + HAVE + NOT + V3 ( third form of main verb –
past participle )

Subject ( He, She, It ) + HAS + NOT + V3 ( third form of main verb – past
participle )

3. Question Forms (?):

HAVE + Subject ( I, You, We, You, They ) + V3 ( third form of main verb – past
participle )

HAS + Subject ( He, She, It ) + V3 ( third form of main verb – past participle )

Abby : “Hi Allison, I haven’t seen you for ages. Where have you been?

Allison : “Hi, Abby. I have just visited my granny abroad. “

 Abby : “Oh, I see. But wait… I think you’ve visited your grandma before,
haven’t you? “

Allison : “Yes, I have visited her three times this year. She was sick two weeks
ago so we went to America again. “

Abby : “How is your grandma now? “

Allison : “She is better. She is in my house now.

Abby : “Really? How long has she been here? “

Allison : “She has been here for three days. Actually she has missed her
children and grandchildren. That’s why she was sick”

Abby : “Oh, sickness because of missing people she loves. I guess she will
be well soon. Send my warm regard to your grandmother. “

Allison : “I think so. Okay, I will send it to her. Thanks, Abby. “

Abby : “You’re welcome. “

Present Perfect Continuous Tense

 The present perfect continuous tense (also known as the present perfect progressive
tense) shows that something started in the past and is continuing at the present time.

The present perfect continuous is formed using the construction

has/have been + the present participle (root + -ing).

How do we use the Present Perfect Continuous tense?

This tense is called the Present Perfect Continuous tense. There is usually a
connection with the present or now.

We use the Present Perfect Continuous to talk about:

 past action recently-stopped

 past action still-continuing

Jessica : “I have to go to station because someone is waiting for me there”

Biarn : “Who is waiting for you Jes? “

Jessica : “My relative from my Mom. “

Biarn : “Go now then. Don’t let someone waiting for you too long. “

Jessica : “Yep, i’ll go now. See ya”

Jessica : (at station) “Hi Bill, how have you been? “

Bill : “Couldn’t be better. How’s it going Jess? “

Jessica : “I do really sorry Bill, i am late to pick you up. I have something to do with
my classmates. How long have you been waiting for me? “

Bill : “I have been waiting you for an hour. It doesn’t matter Jess. How’s
everyone? “

Jessica : “Everyone is great. Tim is doing the final exam. He wants to continue his
study. Ann is still doing her hobby, drawing and painting. What have you been
doing recently Bill?”
Bill : “I have been so busy recently with work stuff. “

Jessica : “Kind of boring stuff, ha!”