PRESENT PERFECT

I. Present Perfect Simple:

1. Formula:
+) S + have/has + V2
-) S + have/has not + V2
?) (wh) + have/has + S + V2?
Be) have/has been
2. How to use:
- To talk about a time period that is not finished (e.g. today, this week)
VD: I have written a rough plan this morning (it is still morning)
- To show that something happened at some point in the past (don’t state when it
happened)

VD: I’ve collected plenty of information (at some point we don’t know)

Often used with the following time expressions:

Ever, never, before, up to now, still, so far

VD: It is the first time that I have ever tried this dish

I have never done this before.

- Talk about a present situation which started in the past (usually with for/since):

VD: I have worked really hard for the last two weeks.

I have been working really hard for the last two weeks

For + a period of time (for 2 hours, for three days…)

Since + a point of time (since Monday, since 2005….)

- To talk about something that happened in the past but its result are still in the
present

VD: I have read all the books on the reading list (I have all the notes now)

I have broken my legs (legs are still broken)

I broke my legs (legs are healed)

- Negatives/Questions: recently, just, already, yet

VD: I have just got up

Have you written your assignment yet?

I have already finished my assignment

Recently, I have bought a new pair of shoes (recently)

 Present Perfect vs Past Simple

Present Perfect Past Simple

Links the past with the present
Does not specify a time in the past
Uses time expressions that show the
time is unfinished
VD: this week, this morning, today…
Only talks about the past
States a specific past time (or it is
understood):
VD: I read the book when I was in the
library
Uses time expressions that show the
time is finish
VD: last week, yesterday, a week ago….

II. Present Perfect Continuous

1. Formula:
+) S + have/has been + V-ing
-) S + have/has not been + V-ing
?) (WH) + have/has + S + been + V-ing?
2. How to use:
To say how long a situation or activity has been going on (for/since)
VD: I have been working at the restaurant for 3 years
3. Present Perfect Continuous vs Present Perfect Simple

PPC PPS
Emphasises on how long Says how many times:
VD – I have read three books this week
Focuses on the length of the activity Focuses on the result or the completion
(does not show whether the activity is of the activity:
completed or not): VD – I have written my essay. (do not
VD – I have been writing my essay (do not know when)
know whether the essay is finished or
not)
4. We do not use state verbs in continuous tense
EXTRA: we use the Present Perfect tense with the following structure:
- It/this/that is the first/second/the best/the only/ the worst …………
VD:
It is the first time that I have ever had to write such a long assignment
That is the fifth cup of coffee you have had today
Is this the only time you have travelled abroad?