Using Present Perfect Tense
Are you familiar with the present perfect tense? This kind of tense used in English sentences looks like this:
has/have + past participles
The present perfect tense is used to indicate an action which was done in the past but the speaker does not indicate any specified past time at the time of speaking.
Read on and find out how accurately the present perfect tense is used.
We have completed our assignment. This sentence indicates that the assignment was completed some time in the past but as the speaker does not say when, it is correct to use the present perfect tense. It will be incorrect to use the present perfect tense with a specified past time. Therefore it's incorrect to say: We have completed our assignment last week.
Just remember not to include a specified past time when you are using the present perfect tense, and you won't get it wrong!
The present perfect tense can also be used in negative sentences and questions.
Example sentences:
I have not (haven't) done my chores (yet).
Sharon has not (hasn't) written her composition (yet).
Mr and Mrs Lee have not (haven't) arrived yet.
The present perfect tense can also be used in "yes" or "no" questions.
Have you read the newspaper? (the verb read must be pronounced as "red")
Yes, I have. / No, I have not/haven't.
Has David received the letter? Yes, he has. / No, he has not/hasn't.
Have the girls eaten the porridge? Yes, they have. / No, they have not/haven't.
The present perfect tense can be used in both active and passive sentences. Click on grammar to view Active and Passive Sentences Part 3.
The present perfect tense can also be used with the word "recently" and the phrase "so far".
When you greet people, you usually say "How are you?" If "recently" is included, you say "How have you been recently? You don't say "How are you recently?"
(been is the past participle of are which is a linking/helping verb not an action verb)
We have three projects. So far, we have completed only one project.
To view other tenses, click on "References" or "grammar".
has/have + past participles
The present perfect tense is used to indicate an action which was done in the past but the speaker does not indicate any specified past time at the time of speaking.
Read on and find out how accurately the present perfect tense is used.
We have completed our assignment. This sentence indicates that the assignment was completed some time in the past but as the speaker does not say when, it is correct to use the present perfect tense. It will be incorrect to use the present perfect tense with a specified past time. Therefore it's incorrect to say: We have completed our assignment last week.
Just remember not to include a specified past time when you are using the present perfect tense, and you won't get it wrong!
The present perfect tense can also be used in negative sentences and questions.
Example sentences:
I have not (haven't) done my chores (yet).
Sharon has not (hasn't) written her composition (yet).
Mr and Mrs Lee have not (haven't) arrived yet.
The present perfect tense can also be used in "yes" or "no" questions.
Have you read the newspaper? (the verb read must be pronounced as "red")
Yes, I have. / No, I have not/haven't.
Has David received the letter? Yes, he has. / No, he has not/hasn't.
Have the girls eaten the porridge? Yes, they have. / No, they have not/haven't.
The present perfect tense can be used in both active and passive sentences. Click on grammar to view Active and Passive Sentences Part 3.
The present perfect tense can also be used with the word "recently" and the phrase "so far".
When you greet people, you usually say "How are you?" If "recently" is included, you say "How have you been recently? You don't say "How are you recently?"
(been is the past participle of are which is a linking/helping verb not an action verb)
We have three projects. So far, we have completed only one project.
To view other tenses, click on "References" or "grammar".
By Susan L
On 11/28/2009 06:19:00 PM
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View More Articles... On 11/28/2009 06:19:00 PM
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