In this lesson we’re looking at the Present Perfect in English.
This is the first lesson that deals with the Present Perfect (the second one is here). In this lesson we’re looking at using a few key words, and the basic rules to using the Present Perfect.
Have fun with the lesson, and don’t forget to try the quizzes by clicking on their links below
– James.
Lesson Contents
What is the Present Perfect Simple?
Here are a few examples of situations, with their Present Perfect Simple versions just afterwards:
They demolished a building. It is still demolished:
They have demolished the building.
I broke my leg last week. It is still broken:
I have broken my leg.
The Present Perfect Simple is formed: “Have / Has + past participle”. When the verb is regular, the past participle is verb +ed, but when the verb is irregular then the verb can change completely, for example:
do → done
have → had
spend → spent
Forming questions and negative sentences
The auxiliaries for the Present Perfect Simple are HAVE and HAS:
I / You / We / They → have
He / She / It → has
Just like the Present Simple, the auxiliaries that are used for the Present Perfect Simple can also be the main verbs in a sentence:
Have you had a tea today?
I haven’t had a good walk in ages!
When do we use the Present Perfect Simple?
The Present Perfect Simple is sometimes used to give new information:
I have made dinner.
There‘s been a fire at the shop.
It is also used when an action in the past has a connection with now:
Bob has gone to the shop.
(He went to the shop in the past, and he’s at the shop now.)
I‘ve cut my foot!
(I cut it in the past, and it is still cut now.)
Have you seen my hat?
(I lost it in the past, and I’m looking for it now.)
Some key words
Let’s look at how to use the words: JUST, ALREADY and YET.
- JUST = A short moment ago. Placed directly before the main verb:
Do you want something to eat? – No thanks, I’ve just eaten.
I have to pick up my cousin from the airport, his plane has just landed.
- ALREADY = Something happened sooner than expected. Placed directly before the main verb:
Don’t forget to email Mum. – Don’t worry, I’ve already done it.
It’s 11am and the shop has already closed for lunch.
- YET = Until now. Placed at the very end of the sentence. The person that uses yet is expecting something to happen. You can only use yet with negative sentences and questions.
Has your cousin arrived yet?
I haven’t finished in the bathroom yet.
BEEN and GONE
The verbs BEEN and GONE are both used as the past participle of the verb GO. They do not mean the same thing:
Been → the subject has gone and has come back.
Gone → the subject has gone and is still away.
They have been to Mauritius.
(They went and they came back.)
They have gone to Mauritius.
(They went and they are still there.)
She’s been to the shop.
(She went and now she’s back.)
She’s gone to the shop.
(She went and she’s still there.)
