Present Perfect
Practice making and using the present perfect to talk about life experiences, recent events and much more!
The present perfect is used to talk about things that happened in the past and are connected to now. You can make it with have/has + past participle (*pp).
What you need to know about the present perfect
Learn how to make the present perfect
Learn what the present perfect means
Learn how to use the present perfect
Download this explanation as a PDF
How do I make the present perfect?
What does the present perfect mean?
When you use the present perfect you want to focus an event that happened in the past and is connected to now or true until now. You are not interested in when exactly it happened.
Here is what the present perfect looks like on a timeline.
How do I use the Present Perfect?
Durations / How long
Keywords: since {time, year or month}, for {a period of time}
I’ve known my best friend since 1982.
I’ve lived in the UK for 3 years.
Life Experiences
Keywords: ever, never
Have you ever been to South America? (in your life)
I’ve been to Cambodia three times. (in your life you did this)
*you don’t know the specific time of these events, but they happened in the past as a part of your experiences. See this blog post for more information and examples about the present perfect for life experiences!
Recent Events & News
Keywords: just, yet, already, recently
The school has just opened! (it happened in the recent past, it’s new information)
We have just had a baby! (it happened recently)
*you don’t know the specific time of these events, but but you do know they happened recently. See this blog post for more information and examples about the present perfect for recent events. !
Unfinished Time
Keywords: week, this month, this year, today
I haven’t finished my homework this week. (this week is not over so it’s unfinished)
We still haven’t bought a house this year. (this year is not over so it’s unfinished time)
*here the action has happened or not happened during a period of time that is not finished. See this blog post for more information and examples about the present perfect for unfinished time.
Present Results
She’s lost her keys (result now =she can’t find her keys).
I’ve eaten too much food (result now = I feel sick).
Practice
Practice making the present perfect with the exercise below!