Present Perfect

has/have + participial verb

(a must learn grammar)

  • This tense is not frequently used in some languages, which makes it difficult for International learners of English to understand and use it correctly. 

THE KEY:  
  • The action began in the past.

  • The situation or feeling continues. 

  • It has not stopped.


TIME:
​
  • Begins in the past, comes to the present and is expected to continue. 

  • Unfinished Time = Present Perfect.   
    ​
  • Finished Time = Past Tense
EXAMPLES:  
  1. I have been in Rio since last Monday. 

  2. Roger has lived in New York City since 2001.

  3. The stock market has been doing well recently.

  4. Bill has visited Paris many times.

  5. Roger has been in his new job for a year.

  6. How long have you worked for Ford?​
COMMON QUESTIONS USING PRESENT PERFECT:

  1. How long have you been waiting?    It's been over an hour!

  2. How long have you been a professor at the university?

  3. How many times have you been to Las Vegas?

  4. Have you ever been to Paris?

  5. Has the meeting started yet?

  6. Have you finished your homework yet?

  7. What books have you read this year?

  8. Why have you missed so many classes this month?

  9. Why haven't you bought your new car yet?

  10. I have performed three back-pain surgeries this week. <- present perfect

  11. I performed three back-pain surgeries last week.  <- past tense

  12. I had performed three back-pain surgeries last week before the hospital staff went on strike.
NOTE:  Other tenses

  • PAST TENSE:     I conducted interviews all day yesterday. 

  • PRESENT TENSE:   I conduct interviews every day.

  • FUTURE TENSE:   I will conduct interviews all day tomorrow.  

  • PRESENT PERFECT:  I have conducted interviews since Monday.  

  • PRESENT PERFECT:  Have you ever + verb?

  • PAST PERFECT:   I had conducted interviews all day when I began to feel bad.