simple explanation of the present perfect

1. Present Perfect
Grammar lesson by: lligeon

2. Contents
1. What is the present perfect?
2. The rule
3. The form
4. Regular verbs vs Irregular verbs
5. Negative sentences
6. Questions

3. What is the present perfect?
We use the present perfect to say something about something that:
 …started somewhere in the past
 …is still so today
Example: We have been friends since 2009.
(we became friends in 2009 and are still friends today)

4. The rule
Again: we use the present perfect to talk about something that started in the
past and is still so today. Take a look at this picture!

5. The form
How do we make the present perfect?
First we need help from the verb have.
The verb have has allowed us to use 2 forms: 1. has
2. have
When do we use has and when do we use have?
That’s easy!  Remember the 3e person singular?
3e person singular = he, she & it  has

6. The form
Second, we need the past participle of the main verb.
What is the past participle? Look at the example!
I have worked there for years.  main verb = work
We only added ed to the main verb.  work + ed = worked
Easy right!? 
So to make the past participle just add ed to the main verb.
HOWEVER, this rule only applies to the regular verbs.
You can find a list of the irregular verbs all throughout the internet.

7. The form
So, the form of the present perfect looks like this:
has/have + past participle
(main verb + ed)  regular verbs
Examples:
I have worked all night.
They have always been friends.  irregular verb be
She has played soccer all her life.
You have written a novel.  irregular verb write

8. Irregular verbs
For more irregular verbs go HERE!

9. Negative sentences
We’re almost at the end. 
So how do we make negative sentences with the present perfect?
That’s easy!
Just add the word not between has/have and the past participle.
Example: He has worked there for years.
He has not worked there for years

10. Questions
We can also use the present perfect to ask questions.
This is what a question in the present perfect looks like:
has/have + subject (I, you, they, mu aunt) + past participle
Has Peter reached his destination?
Have they finished their chores?