This document provides an overview of how to use the present perfect tense in English. It discusses using the present perfect to describe actions that began in the past and continue to the present, talk about general past experiences without specifying times, and describe past actions with present consequences. Examples are given for the positive, negative, and interrogative forms. The present perfect continuous tense is also introduced with examples. Discussion questions are included to practice using the tenses.

2. The Present Perfect
When do we use it?
1. To describe an action which began in the past
and continues to the present moment.
FuturePast
Present
Charlie has lived in Japan since 2012.
2012 AND he is still living in Japan today!

3. The Present Perfect
Huh ? Confused ?
Let’s see more examples!

4. The Present Perfect
How long have you played the piano?
-I have played the piano for 5 years.
FuturePast
Present
1st piano
lesson 5 years
Also: I have been playing the piano for 5 years.
How long have you played the piano?
-I have played the piano for 5 years.

5. The Present Perfect
How long have you worked at your job?
I have worked at Toyota since 2009.
FuturePast
Present
1st day at
Toyota in 2009
Also: I have been working at Toyota since 2009.
How long have you worked at your job?
I have worked at Toyota since 2009.

6. The Present Perfect
When do we use it?
2. To talk about general past experiences
without saying exactly when.
Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
- Yeah, I’ve been there a few times.
Have you ever been to Las Vegas?
Have you ever met anyone famous?
- Yeah, I went there in 1999.- Yeah, I went there in 1999.
Have you ever broken a bone?
Past Simple!

7. The Present Perfect
When do we use it?
3. To describe a past action which has
consequences on the present moment.
George has lost his passport!
(It happened just a few moments ago
and he is probably looking for it now!)
George lost his passport!

8. 1st column
Infinitive
2nd Column
Simple Past
3rd Column
Past Participle
Go Went Gone
Eat Ate Eaten
See Saw Seen
Have + Past Participle

9. Have + Past Participle
• I have already seen that movie a dozen times.
• Enough! You’ve eaten 3 donuts this morning.
• He has recently been to China.
• She has just moved into a new apartment.
• The weather has been nice so far today.
• We have known each other for a long time.
• They have been married since 1955.
+

10. The Present Perfect
Time Markers
• Since / For
• Already (+)
• Yet (- / ? )
• Ever
• Still
• Just / Recently / Lately
• Until now / So Far
• Today
This morning
This week
This month

11. Have + Past Participle
• I have already seen that movie a dozen times.
• Enough! You’ve eaten 3 donuts this morning.
• He has recently been to China.
• She has just moved into a new apartment.
• The weather has been nice so far today.
• We have known each other for a long time.
• They have been married since 1955.
+

12. Negative Form
• I have not seen that movie yet.
• You haven’t eaten enough! Please have more.
• He hasn’t been to China before.
• She hasn’t moved into her new apartment yet.
• The weather hasn’t been so nice so far.
• We haven’t known each other for very long.
• They haven’t had their wedding yet.

13. ?
• Have you seen that movie yet?
• Have you eaten enough?
• Have you been to China before?
• Has she moved into her new apartment yet?
• How has the weather been so far?
• How long have they known each other?
• How long have they been married?
Interrogative Form

14. Present Perfect Continuous
Have + been + (verb + ing)
I have been living in New York for 10 years.
You’ve been watching too much TV. Go outside!
He’s been waiting for 2 hours!
She has been thinking a lot about her future lately.
It’s been raining for 3 days.
We’ve been working on this project since September!
They’ve been spying on us the whole time.

15. Discussion Questions 1:
Present Perfect Continuous form
• How long have you been working at your
current job?
• Do you have a hobby? How long have you
been doing this hobby?
• Where do you live? How long have you been
living there?

16. Discussion Questions 2: Experiences
• Have you ever been on TV or had your name in
the newspaper?
• Have you ever fired a gun?
• Have you ever driven an expensive sports car?
• Have you ever given a speech in public?
• What is the best movie you have ever seen?
• What’s the most expensive restaurant experience
that you have ever had?
• Who has visited the most countries?
• What’s the most beautiful place you have ever
visited?
• Have you ever hitchhiked?