The present perfect tense describes actions that began in the past and continue in the present. It uses the auxiliary verbs have or has with the past participle of the main verb. Some key uses include actions that are still relevant now, experiences up until now, and actions that were completed recently or sooner than expected. The present perfect is also used with words like today, this week, never, ever, already, yet, for, and since to indicate the time frame or provide additional meaning about the action.

1. The Present Perfect Tense
Form and use

2. MEANING
The present perfect tells us
about the past and the present.

3. Use
When we use the present perfect, we see
things as happening in the past but having
a result in the present.
I’ve bought
some
presents.

4. Form
POSITIVE
I/you/we/they have (they’ve) gone.
He/she/it has (it’s) gone.
have/has + past participle

5. NEGATIVE
I/you/we/they have not gone.
He/she/it hasn‘t gone.

6. INTERROGATIVE
Have I/you/we/they gone?
 Has he/she/it gone?
SHORT ANSWERS
Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t.
Yes, he has. / No, he hasn’t.

7. RELATED WORDS
We use the present perfect with today and
phrases with this, e.g. this morning, this week,
this year.
EXAMPLE: I have been here since this morning.
We've done
quite a good job
today.

8. When we ask / talk about our
experience
Have
you ever
been to
London?
No, I
haven’t.
And you?

9. JUST
With just to express the action finished a short
time ago
We have just come back from our holiday.

10. ALREADY
With already meaning “sooner than expected”
I’ve already
finished my
dinner.

11. YET
With yet in negative sentences and questions
when we expect something to happen
Sorry, Nick. I
haven’t finished
the homework yet.

12. FOR/SINCE
We use for to say how long this period is (for
three days).
We use since to say when the period began
(since Friday).
Me, too. I haven’t
grabbed a bite
since Friday.
Thanks. I haven’t
eaten anything for
three days.

13. NEVER / EVER
We use NEVER as: NOT AT ANY TIME in the
past, including now
I have never seen such a beautiful sunset

14. We use EVER as: at any time, including the
present (only in questions)
Have you ever ridden a horse?