Present Perfect Grammar Guide

A LINK TO THE PRESENT

Present Perfect

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff

We normally use the Present Perfect when we

want to talk about something which happened in

the past but is relevant now. Often we use words

like just/already/not ...yet with the Present

Perfect.

I feel really tired. I've just finished my report.

I haven't spoken to Yarden yet but I've already

spoken to Sarit.

Carol Wolff

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about

an imprecise time in the past, but as soon as

we become precise we switch to the Past

Simple.

e.g.

I've never been to South Africa. Have you ever

been there?

Yes I have. I went in 1999.

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff

We use the Present Perfect to show a direct link with the present.

Carol Wolff

Structure

I/we/you/they + Have +V3He/she/it + Has +V3 I have finished my homework.She has finished her homework.

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff

We use it for something that happened in the past BUT when the present result is important.

e.g: I think I have eaten something bad. I don't feel well.

Carol Wolff

With words such as : just, recently, lately, the present shows that something happened in the recent past close to the present.

e.g. They have just left. If you run quickly you can catch them.

Carol Wolff

Used for something that started in the past and continuous into the present.

e.g. Ron has eaten something rotten and he is still in the hospital.

Carol Wolff

•Present Perfect cannot be used with words/phrases that indicate time: last week/month/year/…ago/ 5 O clock.

•Some time phrases can be used with either the Perfect or the Past. If the period is not finished at the time of speaking – use the Perfect tense.

e.g:•I have not seen Tom this morning, have you? •No, he has not come yet.

•I didn't see Tom this morning, did you? •No, he didn't come at all.

Carol Wolff

When people are dead or it is History.

e.g. Amoz Oz has written many books.

How many songs did the Beatles write.

Carol Wolff

Difference Between Present Perfect and Past Perfect.

• The Present Perfect is used when the present result is important.

•  • The Past Simple is used for something that

happened in the past and that has NO DIRECT LINK to the present.

 e.g: • We have finish working on the house. Now we

need a vacation.• We finished working on the house and left for a

vacation.

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff

Structure for the Progressive

I/we/you/they + Have + Been + xxxINGHe/she/it + Has + Been + xxxING I have been doing my homework.She has been doing her homework.

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff

Carol Wolff