Present Perfect Tense

by Yogi P - October 1, 2023

Present Perfect Tense: Definition, Structure, and Examples

Understanding the present perfect tense is not tricky if you take a moment to break it down. This tense is all about actions that happened in the past but have a connection to now. Let’s dive into the details.

What Is the Present Perfect Tense?

This tense talks about something that happened before but is important to the present moment. For example, “I have eaten,” means I ate sometime before now, and it’s important to know that I’m not hungry now.

Definition of the Present Perfect Tense

Different dictionaries explain this tense in similar ways. They say it’s used to talk about actions that happened at some time before now and have relevance to the present situation. It uses “have” or “has” and the past form of the verb like “eaten” in “I have eaten.”

Structure and Formula

If we talk about the general formula of the present perfect tense, it is as described below:

Subject + have/has + past participle + the rest of the sentence

Here is the table for the structure of the present perfect tense to analyse with reference to positive, negative, interrogative and negative interrogative types of sentences. It’s very simple and easy to create sentences in this tense:

Positive	Negative	Interrogative	Negative Interrogative
Subject + have/has + past part of the verb + rest of the sentence	Subject + have/has + not + past part of the verb + rest of the sentence	Have/Has + subject + past part of the verb + rest of the sentence	Haven’t/Hasn’t + subject + past part of the verb + rest of the sentence
I have finished my work.	I have not finished my work.	Have I finished my work?	Haven’t I finished my work?

Examples:

Positive: They have finished their work.
Negative: She has not finished her work.
Question: Has he finished his work?
Negative Question: Haven’t you finished your work?

Important Points to Remember

Before using this tense, know how past parts of verbs are formed. Mostly, “ed” is added to the verb, but there are many exceptions. For example, “go” becomes “gone.”

Use “have” with “I,” “you,” “they,” and plural nouns. Use “has” with “he,” “she,” “it,” and singular nouns.

When to Use the Present Perfect Tense

Use this tense:

To talk about an action that happened before but is still important now.
To talk about an action that started in the past and is still happening now.
To connect past actions to now.

Examples of the Present Perfect Tense

Pronouns / Nouns	Examples
I	I have worked as a coach for two years.
You	You have worked as a coach for two years.
We	We have worked as coaches for two years.
He	He has worked as a coach for two years.
She	She has worked as a coach for two years.
They	They have worked as coaches for two years.
It	It has been here the whole time.
Singular noun	Ram has worked as a coach for two years.
Plural noun	Rani and Prince have worked as coaches for two years.

Frequently Asked Questions on Present Perfect Tense

Q1. What is the Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect Tense is a way to talk about something that happened before now (in the past) and has a connection to now (the present). It’s used when the exact time of the action is not important.

Q2. How do dictionaries define the Present Perfect Tense?

The Oxford Learner’s Dictionary says the Present Perfect Tense is used for an action done from some time in the past up until now.

For example: “I have eaten.” It’s formed with “have/has” and the past form of the main verb.

Q3. How do we form the Present Perfect Tense?

You can form it by using:

Subject (like “I”, “You”, “They”) + “have/has” + the past form of the main verb (like “eaten” or “done”) + the rest of the sentence.

Q4. What should you remember when using the Present Perfect Tense?

Remember that you need two verbs: a helping verb (“have” or “has”) and a main verb. The main verb is in its past form (for example, “eaten”).

Use “have” with “I”, “you”, “they”, and plural nouns, and use “has” with “he”, “she”, “it”, and singular nouns.

Q5. Give some examples of the Present Perfect Tense?

Sure! Here are some examples:

Veena has not reached home yet.
All the children have finished their assignments.
Rinita has eaten all the mangoes.
I have not watched the movie yet.
Has she still not gone to the hospital?

Q6. When do we use the Present Perfect Tense?

Use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about:

An action or event that started in the past and is still connected to now.
An action that happened in the past and is still happening now.
To link past events to the present.

Multiple Choice Questions on Present Perfect Tense:

Q1. What does the Present Perfect Tense help talk about?

a) Future actions
b) Past actions with no connection to now
c) Something that happened before now and has a connection to now
d) Only present actions

Answer: c) Something that happened before now and has a connection to now

Q2. How is the Present Perfect Tense generally formed?

a) Subject + will + base form of the verb
b) Subject + am/is/are + verb-ing
c) Subject + have/has + past form of the main verb
d) Subject + had + past participle

Answer: c) Subject + have/has + past form of the main verb

Q3. What does the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary say about the Present Perfect Tense?

a) It’s used for future actions
b) It’s used for an action done in a time period up to the present
c) It’s used for actions happening now
d) It’s used for actions that will happen

Answer: b) It’s used for an action done in a time period up to the present

Q4. Which helping verbs are used in the Present Perfect Tense?

a) is/am/are
b) will
c) were/was
d) have/has

Answer: d) have/has

Q5. Which sentence is in the Present Perfect Tense?

a) She eats the cake
b) She is eating the cake
c) She has eaten the cake
d) She will eat the cake

Answer: c) She has eaten the cake

Q6. When do we use “have” in the Present Perfect Tense?

a) With he, she, it
b) With I, you, they
c) With was/were
d) With will

Answer: b) With I, you, they

Q7. What is a main verb in the Present Perfect Tense example: “They have finished the work”?

a) have
b) finished
c) they
d) the work

Answer: b) finished

Q8. What does the Present Perfect Tense link together?

a) Future to present
b) Past to future
c) Past to present
d) Present to future

Answer: c) Past to present

Q9. What is the subject in this Present Perfect Tense sentence: “She has written a letter”?

a) a letter
b) has written
c) written
d) She

Answer: d) She

Q10. Which sentence is a negative example of the Present Perfect Tense?

a) They have read the book
b) I have not seen this movie
c) He will have arrived
d) She is playing

Answer: b) I have not seen this movie

Fill in the blanks

1. The Present Perfect Tense represents an action that _________ in the recent past and still has its effect in the present.

2. The general formula for Present Perfect Tense is: Subject + _______ + past participle + the rest of the sentence.

3. In the sentence “They have moved to a new city”, “have” is the _________ verb.

4. The Present Perfect Tense can also indicate an action that happened in the past and _________ to occur in the present.

5. In the sentence “She has not gone to the market”, “not” makes the sentence _________.

6. For a question in the Present Perfect Tense, it usually starts with _______.

7. If you want to make a negative question in Present Perfect Tense, you can start the sentence with _________.

8. “I have read this book.” In this sentence, “read” is in the _________ form.

9. The sentence “They have been friends for years” shows an action that started in the past and is still ________ now.

10. If the sentence is “He has finished his homework”, the word “his homework” is the _________ of the sentence.

Answers: 1. happened, 2. have/has, 3. helping, 4. continues, 5. negative, 6. Have/Has, 7. Haven’t/Hasn’t, 8. past participle, 9. true/relevant, 10. rest