The present perfect.
1. Actions which started in the past and are still continuing
Present perfect is often used to describe an action that started in the past and is still
happening now. It is common for the words ‘for’ (with a duration, i.e ‘for 10 years’) or
‘since’ (with a starting time, i.e ‘1998’) to be used.
He has lived in England for 20 years.
(He started living in England twenty years ago, and he’s still living there now)
She has driven to work since 1994.
(She started driving to work in 1994, and she still drives there now)
2. Actions which occurred some time in the past
We can use the present perfect to say if an action happened or didn’t happen, without
being specific about WHEN it happened. This is for describing some general
experience and we often use the words already, yet, ever or never with the present
perfect.
I’ve already been to Germany, I don’t want to go again.
(He has been to Germany before, it is not important when)
I have never eaten sushi, let’s try it!
(We know that at no point in her past has she tried sushi)
3. Actions which happen in the past, but effect the present
This form indicates that the action happened in the past but is still having an effect
on the present situation. For example if you lost your wallet yesterday then it would
effect you if you wanted to go shopping today.
Tense meaning
Present perfect I’ve lost my wallet…The wallet is still lost
Simple past I lost my wallet yesterday… The wallet was lost yesterday
Present perfect She has broken her leg… The leg is still injured
Simple past She broke her leg last year… The leg is ok now
Rearrange the words in each sentence to make a question using verb ‘to have’ as an auxiliary
verb in the present perfect tense.
Don’t forget to put a capital letter at the start of each sentence and a question mark at the
end:
1. where you have been
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2. what been have doing you
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3. have you why come class this to
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4. when to got have arrive I
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5. money have you any got
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6. the time got have you please
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7. have my you friend seen
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8. looked have every you in cupboard
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9. closed curtains the have you
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10. she why hasn’t the washing done up
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