Present perfect tense
Learn the present perfect tense (has or have + past participle): for and since, experiences, results, negatives and questions, with free quizzes.
In this lesson
The present perfect tense connects the past with the present. We form it with has or have plus the past participle of the main verb: I have worked here for five years. She has been to London. We use it for situations that continue now, life experiences and past actions that have a result now.
Key point
Present perfect = subject + has or have + past participle. Use has with he, she, it and singular nouns, and have with I, you, we, they and plural nouns.
How do you form the present perfect tense?
The present perfect uses the present form of the verb to have (has or have, depending on the subject) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | Subject + has or have + past participle | He has done his homework. |
| Negative | Subject + has or have + not + past participle | He has not (hasn’t) done his homework. |
| Question | Has or Have + subject + past participle? | Has he done his homework? |
| Short answer | Yes or No + subject + has, have, hasn’t or haven’t | Yes, he has. / No, he hasn’t. |
Regular verbs make the past participle with -ed (worked, lived). Many common verbs are irregular (eaten, seen, written, known). Check them in our lesson on regular and irregular verbs.
When do you use the present perfect tense?
1. Something that started in the past and continues now
The words for and since are often used in these sentences.
Examples
- I have worked here for five years.
- My mum has known him for three years.
- They have lived together for nearly 30 years.
- I have lived here since 2000.
- He has worked here since last year.
- We have known each other since our childhood.
| Word | Meaning | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| for | a period of time | for five months, for a long time |
| since | a point in time | since last month, since 2000 |
Tip
Ask yourself: “How long?” If the answer is a length of time, use for. If it is a starting point, use since.
2. Experiences from the past
Examples
- I have watched this film.
- She has been to London.
3. Things you have done in your life
Examples
- I have helped many people.
- We have studied Japanese.
4. When the time of the action is not important or not known
Examples
- She has taken my pencil.
- They have written several exams.
5. A past action with a result in the present
Examples
- I have lost my phone. (I still can’t find it.)
- I have forgotten my umbrella. (Now I don’t have it.)
Time expressions
Common words with the present perfect are for, since, ever, never, already, yet, just, before, so far and this week.
Common mistake
I have seen him yesterday. → I saw him yesterday.
With a finished time such as yesterday, last week or in 2010, use the simple past tense instead.
Note
She has been to London means she visited London and came back. She has gone to London means she is in London now or on her way there.
How do you make positive sentences?
Examples
- I have eaten apples.
- I have seen him before.
- I have watched this TV drama before.
- She has acted in a film.
- He has won a competition.
- Alex has followed an English course.
- My mother has already baked the cake.
- We have received the email.
- They have learnt Spanish.
- The army has attacked the terrorists twice.
In speaking we often use short forms: I’ve, you’ve, we’ve, they’ve, he’s, she’s, it’s.
How do you make the negative?
We make the negative with has or have, then not, then the past participle of the main verb: subject + has/have + not + past participle. The short forms are hasn’t and haven’t.
Examples
- I have not eaten apples.
- She has not eaten apples.
- They have not submitted the assignments yet.
- He has not done his homework.
Common mistake
She hasn’t went home. → She hasn’t gone home.
How do you ask questions in the present perfect?
To make a question, move has or have to the beginning of the sentence and leave the rest of the sentence as it is.
Examples
- Have I met you before?
- Has Thomas written the exam?
Negative questions and short answers
Negative questions start with Hasn’t or Haven’t. You can answer with a full sentence or a short answer.
Examples
- Haven’t they talked to the manager? No, they have not talked to the manager. / No, they haven’t.
- Hasn’t she talked to the manager? No, she has not talked to the manager. / No, she hasn’t.
What should you learn next?
To focus on how long an activity has been going on, study the present perfect continuous tense (I have been working here for five years). To talk about an action completed before another past action, move on to the past perfect tense. For extra practice, see the British Council B1 to B2 lesson on the present perfect and the British Council grammar reference on the present perfect.
Summary
- Form: has or have + past participle (She has eaten).
- Use it for situations that continue now, experiences, life achievements and results in the present.
- For + a period of time; since + a point in time.
- Negative: hasn’t or haven’t + past participle. Question: Has or Have + subject + past participle?
- Do not use it with finished times like yesterday or last year.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the present perfect and the simple past?
The present perfect links the past to now and does not give a finished time: I have lost my phone. The simple past is for a finished time: I lost my phone yesterday.
When do I use for and when do I use since?
Use for with a period of time, such as for five years. Use since with a starting point, such as since 2000 or since last month.
What is a past participle?
It is the verb form used after has or have. Regular verbs end in -ed (worked), and irregular verbs have special forms (eaten, seen, written).
Is it “has” or “have” with my friends or Tom and Edward?
Use have with plural subjects such as my friends and Tom and Edward. Use has with singular subjects such as she, Tom or the teacher.
What is the difference between “has been” and “has gone”?
Has been means the person visited a place and came back. Has gone means the person is there now or is travelling there.
Practise this lesson
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