Anual UNI Práctica dirigida de Filosofía

SEMANA

08
INGLÉS
ANUAL UNI
Present Perfect I
Present Perfect Tense

For many who study English, the present perfect tense can cause fear and confusion. Perhaps their native
language does not have this verb tense.

There really is nothing in this verb form to be afraid of.

Let’s start by looking at when we need to use this verb tense.

Using the Present Perfect

The main thing to remember is that that present perfect is used to speak about an action that happened in
the past and was completed before the present (in other words, the time of speaking about it).

This verb form does not indicate exactly when the action happened. What is important is the result of the
action, or the simple fact that the action was completed.

Often, in order to indicate that this is what we’re talking about, we use time-marking words such as just,
already, yet, recently, lately, etc.

1
 Academia CÉSAR VALLEJO

For example:
• Jane has already read this book (that is, before the moment we are speaking about it).
• We haven’t seen each other recently.

When we talk about a recurring action between the past and the present, the use of present perfect is
appropriate:

• I have visited Rome three times.

• We have eaten at this restaurant many times.

Also, the present perfect can be used to speak about actions that began in the past and continue to the
present time. For example:

• They have known each other for 3 years.

• I have studied English since childhood.

If the period in which the action occurs has not concluded and can be denoted by the words today, this
week, this month, this year we also use the present perfect. Look at the examples:

• Ellie has written 20 articles this month.

• My sister has eaten a lot of ice cream this week.

One more instance where we use the present perfect: when we talk about our experience up until the
present time. For example:

• Have you ever been to London?

• He has never been to Japan.
• We have never spent so much time together.

In such cases, such adverbs of time as ever, never, so far, up to now, until now are used.

Don’t forget that sentences with the present perfect tense cannot contain specific time indicators such
as yesterday, 5 years ago, last summer, at 3 o’clock, etc. In such cases, it would be correct to use past
simple.

Forming the Present Perfect

Now let’s take a look at how the present perfect is formed in English.

The structure is fairly simple: have/has + past participle/V-ed.

2
The verb have or has must be used – depending on the grammatical person performing the action – and
add the past participle form of the verb. If it is a regular verb, add the – ed ending. If it is an irregular verb,
use the third form of the verb.

Look at the table of irregular verbs in the article The Past Simple Tense: How to Form It and When to Use It.
The verbs in this table should be memorized.

Below, you’ll see examples of affirmative statements, negative statements, and questions in the present
perfect, using the regular verb work.

The adverb not is used to form negative statements and comes after the verb have/has.

This can also be shortened into a contraction: have + not = haven’t; has + not = hasn’t. For example:
• I haven’t asked you to come and yell at me.
• It hasn’t stopped raining all day.

In order to ask a general question, move the verb have/has to the beginning of the sentence.
• Have you cleaned the room yet?
• Has she bought that dress?

If you want to ask an informational question, put have/has after the question word, then the subject, and
then the verb.
• What has Zoe sent you?
• Why have you done that?

It is important to remember this: If you want information about the time of the action (using the word
when), use past simple instead of present perfect.
• When did you come here?
• When did they meet?

3
Academia CÉSAR VALLEJO

Exercises 7. _____ the sun come up?

1. Lindsay _____ not been to France. A) Be B) Were C) Was

D) Have E) Has
A) hasn’t B) has C) is
D) have E) does 8. The children ________ the lost puppy.

2. _____ you finished your homework? A) are found

B) have find
C) is finding
A) Do B) Are C) Have
D) have found
D) Has E) Is E) are find

3. They___ gone to a rock concert. 9. Tom’s been a vegetarian _____ three years.

A) are A) from
B) be B) since
C) is C) for
D) has D) after
E) have E) before

4. _____ you been to Japan? 10. I haven’t worked _____ last December.

A) Were A) at
B) Is B) since
C) Have C) for
D) Has D) by
E) Can E) while

5. We _____ never eaten Mexican food. 11. I _________ from her twice since she left.

A) have A) have only heard

B) has B) only hear
C) are C) only have heard
D) do D) has heard
E) did E) was heard

6. Andrea has _____ her umbrella. 12. He ________ here as far as I know.

A) forgot A) never stay

B) forget B) has staying
C) forgetting C) have never stayed
D) forgotten D) stayed never
E) been forgotten E) has never stayed

01- B 03- E 05- A 07- E 09- C 11- A

4 02- C 04- C 06- D 08- D 10- B 12- E