Present Perfect

We use the present perfect to talk about:

1. Our experiences;ex: I have already been to London.

2. Things that happened in the past but have a result in the present;

ex: He has won a medal, so he’s very happy.

3. Actions that started in the past but continue up to the present;

ex: We have studied English for four years.

4. Recent past actions;

ex: They have just arrived.

Time expressions that include the following words:

for, since, ever, never, just, already, yet, etc.

AffirmativeSubject + has/have + past participle

Note: past participleRegular verbs: = past simple (-ed)Irregular verbs: different forms

I have already been to Athens.

I haven’t

playedworkedeatenHe, she, it hasn’t

We, you, they haven’t

NegativeSubject + hasn’t/haven’t +

past participle

They haven’t studied Greek architecture yet.

Interrogative Has/Have + subject +

past participleHave I

played? worked? gone?

Has he, she, it

Have we, you, they

The Parthenon is a temple dedicated to the Greek goddess Athena. Its construction began in 447 BC. 

Have they visited The Parthenon?

Yes, they have.

Has Jack bought a Greek vase?

No, he hasn’t.

Grammar practiceLook at the pictures and make true sentences. Use the present perfect.

La Sagrada Familia was designed by Gaudi.

Emily __________ Barcelona.

Emily / visit / Barcelona.

has visited

They _____________ football.

They / play / football. x

haven’t played

Cindy / go / to school.x

Cindy ___________ to school.hasn’t gone

Ann _________ a lot of photos.

Ann / take / a lot of photos.

has taken

Bill / write / a postcard / yet.

x

Bill _____________ a postcard yet.hasn’t written

Daisy ___ already ______ the Louvre.

Daisy / already / visit / the Louvre.

The Louvre, a central landmark of Paris, is one of the world's largest museums.

has visited

My cousin / try / Mexican food / yet.

x

My cousin __________ Mexican food yet.

A taco is a traditional Mexican dish composed of a corn or wheat tortilla folded or rolled around a filling. A taco can be made with a variety of fillings, including beef, chicken, seafood, vegetables and cheese.

hasn’t tried

My dog ________________ in the river.

My dog / already / swim / in the river.

has already swum