Introduction
The present perfect tense connects the past with the present. Use this tense to emphasise the result of a past action, especially when the exact time of this action is not important. The present perfect is formed using a present form of the verb have and the past participle of the main verb. Be aware that many languages have a tense that is similar to the present perfect, however, the usage is probably different.
Task
- Yusuf has worked in that company for 12 years. (work)
- Have you heard the news? (hear)
- The boys have never eaten sushi. (eat)
- Daniel ____ that video clip at least twenty times. (see)
- The workers _______ a break in 4 hours. (not have)
- We ___________ them regularly over the last few years. (visit)
- _______ Ella _______ her driving test yet? (pass)
- Roger _______ to Mexico several times since 2002.(be)
- They______ to each other in ages, _______ they? (not speak)
Process
Structure:
Subject + have/has + main verb (past participle form)
Subject + have/has + main verb (past participle form)
“I have asked my parents to loan me some money.”
“You have been really helpful today.”
“They have flown to the capital to meet with the officials.”
“He has saved enough money to buy a car.”
“She has forgotten where her hotel is.”
Now, in this structure often “have” and “has” are contracted to ‘ve and ‘s
“I've asked”
“You've been”
“They've flown”
“He's saved”
“She's forgotten”
Conclusion
The time frame of the present perfect is more open ended than with the simple past. Use the simple present when you need to be more specific about the timing of the action.
That’s why you cannot use the present perfect with certain adverbs of time (e.g., yesterday):
Incorrect: I have skipped school yesterday.
Correct: I skipped school yesterday.
On the other hand, you can use the present perfect with adverbs that are less specific (e.g., already, ever, never, etc.):
I have already finished my assignment.