Present Perfect – When to Use

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Present Perfect Tense Explanation and Illustrative Examples from Classics

Present Perfect is used to express an accomplished action (both, a single action and an action or state of some duration) which is viewed from the moment of speaking as part of the present situation. Attention is focused on the action itself (but not on the time when it took place, nor in the circumstances – they appear unimportant).

Present Perfect is generally used:

1. when the time of the action is not indicated at all (dialogue 1);

Perfect Tense Examples (Proverbs and Quotations)

Proverbs

Note the use of the Present Perfect Tense in the following proverbs and sayings.

1. It is too late to lock the stable after the horse has bolted.
2. Who has never tasted bitter, knows not what is sweet.
3. The cow knows not what her tail is worth until she has lost it.
4. We know not what is good until we have lost it.
5. When children stand quiet they have done something ill.
6. Don’t sell the bear’s skin before you have caught the bear.
7. Every oak has been an acorn.
8. Drink as you have brewed.
9. Wine has drowned more men than the sea. (Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune.)
10. A thief passes for a gentleman when stealing has made him rich.
11. A lot of water has run under the bridge.
12. Life is what you make of it. Always has been, always will be.
13. Success has brought many to destruction.

Present Perfect Worksheets

These free worksheets show how the Present Perfect Tense should be used in the English Grammar.

Exercise I.
Answer the following questions.

1. Have you been to London?
2. Have you stayed in London long?
3. Have you read the book "The Song of Hiawatha" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow?
4. Have you read "Pygmalion" by George Bernard Shaw?
5. Has the book made an impression on you?
6. Have you seen "My Fair Lady"?
7. Have you seen a map of the British Isles?
8. Have you noticed that there are no long rivers in England?
9. Have you heard that people standing on the cliffs near Dover can see the cliffs of France?

Exercise II.
Complete the following sentences paying attention to the tense forms.

Model:
I have read two books since... → I have read two books since my vacation began.
I … since he left for London. → I haven’t seen my friend since he left for London.

1. I have written two letters since…
2. I haven’t seen my friend since…
3. I haven’t been to the theatre since…
4. He hasn’t taken his medicine since…
5. He hasn’t slept since…
6. He … since he fell ill.
7. We … since we moved to New York.

The Perfect Tenses

The Perfect Tenses: grammar rules, examples and when to use.
present perfect
past perfect
future perfect

The Present Perfect

The Formation of the Present Perfect

auxiliary verb to have (have/has) + Participle II 

(the present tense of the verb to have + the past participle of the main verb.)

Affirmative	Interrogative	Negative
I have worked. He has worked. She has worked. It has worked. We have worked. You have worked. They have worked.	Have I worked? Has he worked? Has she worked? Has it worked? Have we worked? Have you worked? Have they worked?	I have not worked. He has not worked. She has not worked. It has not worked. We have not worked. You have not worked. They have not worked.

(Verb Contractions: I have = I’ve; he has = he’s; she has = she’s; it has = it’s;  we have = we’ve; you have = you’ve;  they have = they’ve) 

The Present Perfect denotes:
1) a completed action closely connected with the present when the time os the action is indefinite.

Key example: 
Mr. Smith has finished his work. He can rest now.

For study:

1. Mrs. Smith had laid the table. The family are having dinner. 
2. Granny has prepared a surprise. Everybody is looking forward to it.
3. Granny has baked a layer cake. The family are enjoying it. 
4. Jane has cleared the table. She can do her lessons now.
5. Little Kate has gone for a walk. It is quiet in the house.

Note: - The Present Perfect is not used when the time of the action in the past is definite, e.g.: I finished my work at 8 o’clock.