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The present perfect simple expresses an action that is still going on or that stopped recently, but has an influence on the present. It puts emphasis on the result.

Form of Present Perfect

For irregular verbs, use the participle form (see list of irregular verbs, 3rd column). For regular verbs, just add "ed".

Exceptions in Spelling when Adding 'ed'

Exceptions in spelling when adding ed

Example

final consonant after a short, stressed vowel
or l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled

admit - admitted
travel - travelled

final y after a consonant becomes i

hurry - hurried

Use of Present Perfect

puts emphasis on the result
Example: She has written five letters.

action that is still going on
Example: School has not started yet.

action that stopped recently
Example: She has cooked dinner.

finished action that has an influence on the present
Example: I have lost my key.

action that has taken place once, never or several times before the moment of speaking
Example: I have never been to Australia.

Signal Words of Present Perfect

already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now

Exercises on Present Perfect

Tests on Present Perfect

Grammar in Texts

Comparison with other Tenses

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Present Perfect Simple, short explanation and exercises

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Clear explanations about how to make the Present Perfect Tense in English, with lots of practice exercises.

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The Present Perfect Simple is used, if an action happened in the past and there is a connection to the present. This action has just stopped or is still going on. There's no exact time expressed when the action happened.

How to form the Present Perfect Simple

I, you, we, they - have + 3rd form
he, she, it - has + 3rd form

They have visited her uncle recently. - She has just baked an apple pie.

Short forms

I've never been there before. - We've studied a lot so far.

He's worked in this shop lately. - He's found his wallet.

Negation

I, you, we, they - have not (haven't) + 3rd form

he, she, it - has not (hasn't) + 3rd form

They haven't tidied up their room so far. - He hasn't finished his homework yet.

Questions

Have you already done your homework?

Question word - have/has - subject -verb

Use of the Present Perfect Simple
Examples:
Nick has gone on holidays. - result - He is not in the office.

He has already met Sue. - connection to the present - He likes her.

He has just eaten something bad. - connection to the present - He feels sick now.

He has lived in Spain for ten days. - connection to the present - He is still there.

He has been in Spain since Friday. - connection to the present - He is still there.

Have you ever been to Italy? - connection to the present - Do you know Italy? No, I've never been there.

EXERCISES
Present perfect simple - Exercise 1 Present perfect simple - Exercise 2 Present perfect simple - Exercise 3 Present perfect simple - Grammar Test Present perfect questions - Exercise 1 Present perfect questions - Exercise 2 Present perfect questions - Exercise 3 For or since - Exercise 1 For or since - Exercise 2 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 1 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 2 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 3 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 4 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 5 Past simple or present perfect - Exercise 6 Past simple or present perfect - Multiple Choice Exercise
Past simple, past progressive or present perfect - Multiple Choice Exercise

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The Present Perfect Simple, how to form and use, short forms, question and negation, with online exercises

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Present perfect- explanation video + exercises

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Present perfect- explanation video + exercises

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Present perfect exercises. Present perfect simple in English - exercises lower intermediate level esl online.

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 1

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 1

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The Present Perfect Continuous (or Present Perfect Progressive) Tense

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Practise making the present perfect continuous tense, with easy explanations and lots of exercises and quizzes

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 2

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 2

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Present Perfect Continuous

The present perfect progressive expresses an action that recently stopped or is still going on. It puts emphasis on the duration or course of the action.

Form of Present Perfect Progressive

Exceptions in Spelling

Exceptions in spelling when adding ing

Example

final e is dropped
(but: ee is not changed)

come - coming
(but: agree - agreeing)

after a short, stressed vowel, the final consonant is doubled

sit - si tt ing

l as final consonant after a vowel is doubled (in British English)

travel - trave ll ing

Use of Present Perfect Progressive

puts emphasis on the duration or course of an action (not the result)
Example: She has been writing for two hours.

action that recently stopped or is still going on
Example: I have been living here since 2001.

finished action that influenced the present
Example: I have been working all afternoon.

Signal Words of Present Perfect Progressive

all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week

Exercises on Present Perfect Progressive

Tests on Present Perfect Progressive

Comparison with other Tenses

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Present Perfect Progressive (Present Perfect Continuous)

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Present Perfect Progressive (Present Perfect Continuous), short explanation and exercises

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 3

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Present perfect continuous- explanation 3

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Rules for forming the Present Perfect Progressive

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Present perfect continuous- video + exercises

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Present perfect continuous- video + exercises

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Present perfect continuous exercises. Present perfect and present perfect progressive exercises.

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English Grammar Rules

The Present Perfect Tense is formed using the following structure:

Affirmative: Subject + Have / Has + Past Participle

Negative: Subject + Haven't / Hasn't + Past Participle

Question: Have / Has + Subject + Past Participle

Affirmative Sentences

Contractions

The contracted form of the perfect tense is quite common:

We use contractions a lot when we are speaking.

Negative Sentences

The contraction of the perfect tense in negative form is:
Have not = Haven't
Has not = Hasn't

Questions

When do we use the Present Perfect Tense?
1. Unspecified point in the past
I have been to Spain three times.
(At some unspecified time in the past, I went to Spain).

Compare with the simple past:

I went to Spain three times in 2005.
(specified time in the past - the year 2005)
2. An action that occurred in the past, but has a result in the present (now)
We can't find our luggage. Have you seen it?
(The luggage was lost in the past, do you know where it is now?)
3. Talking about general experiences (ever, never)
It usually refers to an event happening at some moment in your life.

Has she ever tried Chilean wine before? (in her life)

I've never eaten monkey brains before. (in my life)

4. Events that recently occurred (just)
Do you want to go to a restaurant with me?
No, thanks. I've justeaten lunch. (I recently ate lunch.)
5. Events that have not occurred up to now (yet)
Are Carlos and Rodrigo here? No, they haven't arrived yet. (they're still not here now)
6. Events that occurred before you expected (already)
I've already graduated from University. (I expected to graduate at a later date.)
7. Events that began in the past and haven't changed (for, since)

Mike has worked at Woodward for 3 years.
(Mike started working at Woodward 3 years ago and he still works there now.)

Julie has worked at Woodward since September last year.
(Julie began working at Woodward in September of last year, and that hasn't changed - she still works here now.)

Here are more details and and examples of when to use the Present Perfect Tense in English

Present Perfect Tense Summary Chart

Next activity

See our new notes about the Present Perfect Tense in English with more summary charts.

Check out our lessons about Past Participles and the Pronunciation of ED.

If you found this grammar guide about the Present Perfect Tense in English useful, let others know about it:

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English Grammar lesson about the Present Perfect Tense and its uses - includes example sentences

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Look at these examples to see how the present perfect simple and continuous are used.

We've painted the bathroom.
She's been training for a half-marathon.
I've had three coffees already today!
They've been waiting for hours.

Try this exercise to test your grammar.

Grammar test 1

Grammar B1-B2: Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous: 1

Read the explanation to learn more.

Grammar explanation

We use both the present perfect simple ( have or has + past participle) and the present perfect continuous ( have or has + been + -ing form) to talk about past actions or states which are still connected to the present.

Focusing on result or activity

The present perfect simple usually focuses on the result of the activity in some way, and the present perfect continuous usually focuses on the activity itself in some way.

Ongoing states and actions

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect simple to talk about ongoing states.

How long have you known each other?
We've known each other since we were at school.

We often use for, since and how long with the present perfect continuous to talk about ongoing single or repeated actions.

How long have they been playing tennis?
They've been playing tennis for an hour.
They've been playing tennis every Sunday for years.

Sometimes the present perfect continuous can emphasise that a situation is temporary.

I usually go to the gym on the High Street, but it's closed for repairs at the moment so I've been going to the one in the shopping centre.

Do this exercise to test your grammar again.

Grammar test 2

Grammar B1-B2: Present perfect simple and present perfect continuous: 2

Language level

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Do you know the difference between We've painted the room and We've been painting the room? Test what you know with interactive exercises and read the explanation to help you.

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Present Perfect Simple vs. Present Perfect Continuous

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Present Perfect Simple y Present Perfect Continuous tienen en común que ambos describen acciones pasadas recientes que guardan cierta relación con el presente. Lingolia te ofrece una explicación comparada para que aprendas a diferenciarlos fácilmente.

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Present Perfect Simple and Continuous - OS Connect

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Table of Contents INTRODUCCIÓNUSOSESTRUCTURAORACIONES AFIRMATIVASORACIONES NEGATIVASORACIONES INTERROGATIVASDIFERENCIAS ENTRE EL PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE AND CONTINUOUS INTRODUCCIÓN En la unidad anterior vimos cómo utilizar el Present Perfect Simple y en ésta vamos a ver el Present Perfect Continuous. Además, podrás ver las diferencias entre los dos tiempos y conocer cuándo puedes usar uno u otro, o los …