1. 1.
Introduction
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but
has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.
Present Perfect means 'before now'.The Present Perfect does not express when an action happened.
If we say the exact time, we have to use the Past Simple.
The present perfect tense is also sometimes called the present perfect simple tense.
The auxillary verb "have" is always used with the present perfect tense.
The present perfect continuous tense refers to an action that started in the past, but has continued
to the present or has just finished. The present perfect continous tense uses the auxiliary verb "have -
has" and -ing added to the main verb. It puts emphasis on duration.
2. 2. Form
2.1. Present Perfect Simple
We form the Present Perfect Simple with have and the past participle
(regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs).
have/has + -ed (past participle)
has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have: all other forms
Positive and negative:
I
We 've (have)
You haven't
They lived in Rome.
He 's (has)
She hasn't
Question:
I
How long have we
you known
Peter?
he
How long has
she
Short anwer:
Have you been to Egypt? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Has she ever written poetry? Yes, she has. / No, she hasn't.
2.2. Present Perfect Continuous
The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb have in the corresponding form
for the subject of the sentence, followed by the participle 'been' of the auxilary verb be, followed by the
-ING form of the main verb.
have/has + been + -ing (present participle)
Positive and negative:
I
We 've (have)
You haven't
They been working.
He
's (has)
She
hasn't
It
Question:
I
we
have
you
they been
How long
working?
he
has she
it
Short anwer:
Have you been running? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Has he been shopping? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
3. 3. The Basics of Present Perfect Simple and Continuous
The most important thing to remember about the present perfect is that it can never be used with
adverbs which describe finished time periods, such as yesterday, five minutes ago and at three
o'clock. If a time adverb is used with the present perfect, it should describe a time period which is
unfinished. Example include today and this week. So we say:
I've been to the shops twice already today.
I went to the shops before toy arrived.
Think of the verbs that have the idea of a long time, for example, wait, work, learn, travel, play.
These verbs can be found in the Present Perfect Continuous.
I've been playing tennis since I was a boy.
Think of the verbs that don't have the idea of a long time, for example, find, start, buy, die, lose,
break, stop. It is unusual to find these verbs in the Present Perfect Continuous.
I've bought a new dress.
My cat has died.
My radio's broken.
Verbs that express a state, for example, like, love, know, have for possession, are not found in the
Present Perfect Continuous.
We've known each other for a few weeks.
NOT We've been knowing each other for a few weeks.
How long have you had your car?
NOT How long have you been having your car?
The Present Perfect Simple looks at the completed action. This is why, if the sentence gives a
number or a quantity, the Present Perfect Simple is used. The Continuous is not possible.
I've written three letters today.
NOT I've been writing three letters today.
See the table below for more examples of adverbs of finished and unfinished time. Note that only
adverbs which describe past time have been included, and that adverbs that describe duration (for etc)
have also been omitted.
Unfinished Time Finished Time
today yesterday
this week last week
this year last year
this morning* this morning*
this afternoon* this afternoon*
this evening -
during the last two years during the summer
since I left school before I saw you
- at six o'clock
- when I met him.
- five minutes ago
ever** -
just*** -
4. Use
4.1. Present Perfect Simple
The Present Perfect expresses:
1. an action that began in the past and still continuous (unfinished past)
We've lived in the same house for 25 years.
Peter's worked as a teacher since 2000.
Note:
Many languages express this idea with a present tense, but in English this is wrong.
Peter has been a teacher for ten years. NOT Peter is a teacher for ten years.
These time expressions are common with this use:
two years
a month
for a few minutes
half an hour
ages
1970
the end of the class
since August
8 o'clock
Christmas
We use for with a period of time and since with a point in time.
2. an experience that happened at some time in one's life. The action is in the past and finished,
but the effects of the action are still felt. When the action happened is not important.
I've been to the United States. (I still remember.)
How many times has he been married? (in his life)
The adverbs ever, never and before are common with this use.
Have you ever been to Australia?
I've never tried bungee jumping.
Questions and answers about definite times are expressed in the Past Simple.
When did you go to the United States?
He met his second wife in the dry cleaner's.
3. a past action that has a present result. The action is usually in the recent past.
The taxi hasn't arrived yet. (We're still waiting for it.)
What have you done to your lip? (It's bleeding.)
The adverbs yet, already and just are common with this use.
I haven't done my homework yet. (Negative)
Has the postman been yet? (Question)
I've already done my homework.
She's just had some good news.
! Be careful with been and gone.
He's been to the United States. (experience – he isn't there now)
She's gone to the United States. (present result - she's there now)
2.
1. Present Perfect - Diagram
We use the Present Perfect for actions in the past which have a connection to the present. The time
when these actions happened is not important.
We use the Present Perfect for recently completed actions.
We use the Present Perfect for actions beginning in the past and still continuing.
4.2. Present Perfect Continuous
We use the Present Perfect Continuous to express:
1. an activity that began in the past and is continuing now.
I've been studying English for three years.
How long have you been working here?
Sometimes there is no difference between the simple and the continuous.
I've played
the piano since I was a boy.
I've been playing
If the continuous is possible, English has a preference for using it.
The continuous can sometimes express a temporary activity, and the simple a permanent state.
I've been living in this house for the past few months. (temporary)
I've lived here all my life. (permanent)
Remember that state verbs rarely take the continuous form.
I've had this book for ages.
I've always loved sunny days.
2. a past activity that has caused a present result.
I've been working all day. (I'm tired now.)
Have you been crying? (Your eyes are red.)
Roger's been cutting the grass. (I can smell it.)
The past activity might be finished or it might not. The context usually makes this clear.
Look out of the window! It's been snowing! (It has stopped snowing now.)
I've been writing this book for two years. (It still isn't finished.)
4.3. Changing between the Present Perfect and Past Simple
Students often have problems knowing when to switch from using the present perfect to the past
simple in conversation. Usually, after starting a conversation with a question in the present perfect, we
switch to the past simple to develop the exchange. However, this is not always the case, and we can
follow the original question with more questions in the present perfect. Which tense to use depends on
the exact situation you are talking about.
Consider the following exchange:
Jane Alan
Have you read any good books recently? Well, yes I have, as a matter of fact.
Oh, well, which books have you read? I've read 'Wonderful Life' and 'The Language Instinct'.
Really? And what did you think of them? They were very good. I'd recommend them.
In this conversation, Jane's second question is about books, and, as she is not referring to a
particular point in time, and it is still possible for Alan to read more books, it is natural to use the
present perfect. For her final question she changes to the past simple, as the time she is referring to
(which is not actually stated) is 'when you read them'.
Now compare the above with:
Jane Alan
Have you been to the cinema recently? Well, yes I have, as a matter of fact.
Oh, what film did you go to see? I went to see Seven.
Really? What did you think of it? I thought it was OK.
In Jane's second question she uses the singular, 'film', presumably because she's only interested in
the film Alan saw most recently. She then uses the past simple, as she is referring to the time 'when you
went to the cinema', and she doesn't imagine that the action will be repeated - that is, that Alan will go
to see the film again.
4.4. Simple or Continuous?
With some verbs it is possible to use both the simple and continuous forms of the present perfect:
I've worked here for five years.
I've been working here for five years.
The first form here can be considered the 'neutral', or normal, form. In this sentence the verb work
has the meaning 'have a job', and as such refers to a state and not the activity you actually do when you
are working. The sentence simply says how long this (your having the job) has been the case.
The second sentence, in the continuous form, would be used in slightly different situations. For
example:
Jane Alan
You put those papers in the green filing cabinet. You don't have to tell me that -
I've been working here for five years, you know!
Here the continuous is used to give not just the duration of the state, but also imply a result of the
fact that Alan has worked there for five years - he knows where to put the papers.
A common situation where the continuous form is used is to imply that the situation is about to
change:
I've been living here for ten years. I think it's time I moved on.
But note that the normal restrictions apply to verbs that don't take continuous forms:
I've had this car since 1987. It's time I changed it.
NOT I've been having this car since 1987. It's time I changed it.
4.5. Just
'Just' is commonly used with the present perfect simple to show that an action happened very
recently. When 'just' is used the result referred to is often indirect, and this form can be used if you want
to make it clear that the action is complete while at the same time explaining an indirect result of the
action:
I've just washed the car, which is why I'm wet.
1. 4.6. Been vs. Gone?
Both been and gone can be used as the participle of the verb to go. Compare the following two
sentences:
He's gone to the shops. (He's at the shops now.)
He's been to the shops. (There's food in the fridge.)
In the first sentence, we understand that he is at the shops now; in the second we understand that
he is not at the shops now but that there is some other result of his going to the shops.
5. Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Simple
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. The present perfect
tense links the past and the present. It can be contrasted with the past simple tense. As soon as a time
expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must
decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if it's consequence in the present is important.
The past simple tense The present perfect tense
The past simple tense may describe The present perfect tense may describe activities
completed activities and past or situations which began in the past and are still
situations continuing
In 1976, 60% of families The number of one person households
were couples with children. has grown.
In 1981, 34% of children Over the past twenty years, the average
aged 20-24 lived with their size of households has fallen.
parents.
The past simple may describe
The present perfect may describe completed
activities without linking them to the
activities whose impact is felt in the present
present
They completed the research They have completed the research.
(meaning: a short time ago; here it is).
in 1972.
They have arrived. (meaning: a short
They arrived yesterday.
time ago; here they are).
With past simple verbs, the time may With present perfect verbs, indefinite time
be specified expressions may be used
They completed the research
They have just completed the research.
in 1972.
They have already arrived.
They arrived yesterday.
The number of one person households
The number of one person
has grown recently.
households grew last year.
Compare these sentences:
I've broken my leg last year.
I broke my leg last year.
He works as a musician all his life.
He has worked as a musician all his life.
When have you been to Greece?
When did you go to Greece?
How long do you have your car?
How long have you had your car?
5.1. Form
Present Perfect
Past Simple
Simple
regular verbs: infinitive + ed regular verbs:
Example: form of 'have' +
I worked infinitive + ed
Example:
Ihe/ you
she/ /we
/verbs: it
irregular verbs: see 2nd column of irregular
irregular verbs form of 'have' +
Example: 3rd column of
I spoke irregular verbs
Example:
Ihe/ you
/ she/ /we
it
Exceptions when adding
'ed':
1. when the final
letter is e, only add
d
Example:
love - loved
save – saved
2. after a short,
stressed vowel, the
final consonant is
doubled
Example:
admit –
admitted
stop –
stopped
3. final l is always
doubled in British
English (not in
American English)
Example:
travel -
travelled
4. after a consonant,
final y becomes i
(but: not after a
vowel)
Example:
worry -
worried
but: play -
played
5.2. Certain time in the past or just / already / yet?
Do you want to express that an action happened at a certain time in the past (even if it was just a
few seconds ago) or that an action has just / already / not yet happened?
Past Simple Present Perfect Simple
certain time in the past just / already / not yet
Example: Example:
I phoned Mary 2 minutes ago. I have just phoned Mary.
Martin crashed his car last year. Martin has just crashed his car .
(This is old information.) (This is new information.)
5.3. Certain event in the past or how often so far?
Do you want to express when a certain action took place or whether / how often an action has
happened till now?
Past Simple Present Perfect Simple
certain event in the past whether / how often till now
Example: Example:
He went to Canada last summer. Have you ever been to Canada? / I have been
I saw three movies last week. to Canada twice.
(Last week has finished.) I have seen three movies this week.
(This week has not finished yet.)
5.4. Emphasis on action or result?
Do you just want to express what happened in the past? Or do you want to emphasise the result
(a past action's consequence in the present)?
Past Simple Present Perfect Simple
Emphasis on action Emphasis on result
Example: Example:
I bought a new bike. I have bought a new bike.
(Just telling what I did in the (With this sentence I actually want to express that
past.) I have a new bike now.)
5.5. Signal Words
Past Simple Present Perfect Simple
yesterday just
... ago already
in 1990 up to now
until now / till now
(n)ever
(not) yet
the other day
so far
last ...
lately / recently
since
for
! Note: It is always for a length of time and since a point in time
6. Present Perfect Simple passive
Form
has (singular) or have (plural) + been + past participle
It has been
sold.
They have been
Use
The uses are the same in the passive as in the active.
Examples:
The report has been reviewed.
Prices have been increased.
He has been kissed.
A house has been built by Peter.
I have been driven.
It has been sold.
They have been sold.
Two million cars have been produced so far this year.
Has she ever been made redundant?
7. Conclusion
The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but
has an influence on the present. The present perfect continuous tense refers to an action that started in
the past, but has continued to the present or has just finished.
The Present Perfect tenses relate past actions and activities to the present.
Both tenses are used to express that an action began in the past and is still going on or has just finished.
In many cases, both forms are correct, but there is often a difference in meaning: we use the Present
Perfect Simple mainly to express that an action is completed or to emphasise the result. We use the
Present Perfect Continuous to emphasise the duration or continuous course of an action.
7. 1. Form
7.1.1. Present Perfect Simple
We form the Present Perfect Simple with have and the past participle
(regular verbs: infinitive + -ed; irregular verbs: 3rd column of the table of the irregular verbs).
have/has + -ed (past participle)
has: 3rd person singular (he, she, it)
have: all other forms
Positive and negative:
I
We 've (have)
You haven't worked in a
They factory.
He 's (has)
She hasn't
Question:
I
How long have we
you known
Peter?
he
How long has
she
Short anwer:
Yes, I have.
Have you always lived in Budapest?
No, I haven't.
7.1.2. Present Perfect Continuous
The Present Perfect Continuous is formed with the auxiliary verb have in the corresponding
form for the subject of the sentence, followed by the participle 'been' of the auxilary verb be, followed
by the -ING form of the main verb.
have/has + been + -ing (present participle)
Positive and negative:
I
We 've (have)
You haven't
They been working.
He
's (has)
She
hasn't
It
Question:
I
we
have
you
they been
How long
working?
he
has she
it
Short anwer:
Have you been running? Yes, I have. / No, I haven't.
Has he been shopping? Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
7.2. Use
They are used:
1. to express unfinished past.
He's worked here for ten years.
Have you been waiting long?
The verb action began in the past and still continues.
In this use there is little difference between the simple and the continuous.
If the continuous is possible in English, it tends to be used. However, remember that state
verbs rarely take the continuous form.
2. to express the present result of a past event. (The past event is usually recent.)
A You've changed. What have you done to yourself?
B I've lost a lot of weight. I've been taking exercise, and I've been watching my diet.
I've just finished reading an excellent book.
In this use, the simple emphasizes the completed action, and the continuous emphasizes the
repeated activity.
3. to express a past experience, the time of which is not specified.
Have you ever been in a plane crash? I have.
I've heard this story before.
(The experience happened sometime in my life, but exactly when is not important.)
The continuous is unusual in this use.
7.3. Present Perfect Simple vs. Continuous
1. The simple expresses a completed action.
I've painted the kitchen, and now I'm doing the bathroom.
The continuos expresses an activity over a period and things that happened during the activity.
I've got paint in my hair because I've been decorating.
Because the simple expresses a completed action, we use it if the sentence gives a number or
quantity. Here, the continuous isn't possible.
I've been reading all day. I've read ten chapters.
She's been eating ever since she arrived. She's eaten ten biscuits already.
2. Some verbs don't have the idea of a long time, for example, find, start, buy, die, lose,
break, stop. These verbs are more usually found in the simple.
Some verbs have the idea of a long time, for example, wait, work, play, try, learn, rain. These
verbs are often found in the continuous.
I've cut my finger. (One short action.)
I've been cuting firewood. (Perhaps over several hours.)
7.4. Present Perfect Simple vs. Past Simple
1. The Present Perfect is for unfinished actions. The Past Simple is for completed actions.
Compare:
Present Perfect Past Simple
I've lived in Texas for six years. I lived in Texas for six years.
(I still live there.) (Now I live somewhere else.)
I've written several books. Shakespeare wrote 30 plays.
(I can still write some more.) (He can't write any more.)
2. We can see that the Present Perfect refers to indefinite time and the Past Simple refers to
definite time by looking at the time expressions used with the different tenses.
Present Perfect – indefinite Past Simple – definite
yesterday.
last week.
for a long time.
two days ago.
since July.
I've done it I did it at 8 o'clock.
before.
in 1987.
recently.
when I was young.
for a long time.
! Be careful with this morning/afternoon, etc.
Have you seen Amy this morning? (It's still morning.)
Did you see Amy this morning? (It's the afternoon or evening.)
7.5. Present Perfect Simple passive
Form
has (singular) or have (plural) + been + past participle
It has been
sold.
They have been
Use
The uses are the same in the passive as in the active.
Examples:
Two million cars have been produced so far this year. (unfinished past)
Has she ever been made redundant? (past experience)
'Have you heard? Two hundred homes have been washed away by a tidal wave!' (present
importance)
Coca-Cola has been produced for over 100 years.
That castle has been visited by many tourists.
A Picasso painting has been stolen from the Prado Museum.
The bill has been paid by Kerrie.
A letter has been written by Rita.
The postcard has been sent.
The door has been closed.
The money has been spent.
Trees have been planted in the street.
8. LITERATURE
1. John and Liz Soars, New Headway, English Course, Pre-Intermediate, Student's
Book, (p136, 142)
2. John and Liz Soars, New Headway, the THIRD edition, Intermediate, Student's
Book, (p143,144,148)
3. John and Liz Soars, Headway, Upper-Intermediate, Student's Book, p111
4. Mustafa Tanović, Gramatika engleskog jezika, Mostar 2002. (p20-26)
5. Dr. Branko Ostojić, Englesko-bosanski i Bosansko-engleski riječnik, «Svjetlost»,
1998.
6. Vlastimir Kalman, Antonija Šober-Alkalaj, «Engleski 1 sa rješenjima vježbanja»,
XIII izdanje, «Svjetlost» Sarajevo, 1998. (p78-80)
7. Vlastimir Kalman, Antonija Šober-Alkalaj, «Engleski 2 sa rješenjima vježbanja»,
VIII izdanje, «Svjetlost» Sarajevo, 2000. (p56-59)
8. Antonija Duić, Zvonka Filipović, Maja Šenoa, «English Course», stage 2, fourth
edition, Centar za učenje stranih jezika u Zagrebu, 1980. (p130,151,152)
