The present perfect tense
The present perfect tense is a form of the present tense that highlights the connection between the present and past. We use the present perfect tense to communicate when past actions have a connection to the present moment, or are still going on in the present, as in, “I have learned about the present perfect tense before!” That sentence uses the present perfect tense—is this making tense, sense?
My neighbor has worked at the hospital since 2010.
We have read several books by this author this year.
He has took the dog for a walk.
They has studied for the exam all week.
Use the auxiliary verb have/has + past participle form of the verb [e.g., written] to create the present perfect tense. See these sentences in the present perfect tense:
- I’ve seen that movie.
- I have finished my work.
- She’s bought a new car.
- He has broken his leg.
- We’ve had some very hot weather.
Most sentence subjects will use the auxiliary have (e.g., you have, I have) to construct the present perfect tense. For the third-person singular (i.e., he, she and it) use the auxiliary has instead of have (e.g., she has, he has).
Keep in mind that with regular verb constructions, the past participle form of the verb ends in -ed (e.g., played, worked, studied). Irregular verbs will end in something other than -ed in their past participle forms (e.g., written, frozen, bitten).
When to use the present perfect tense
- Past actions or events that continue in the present (e.g., ”The professor has taught here for two decades”.)
- Actions that occurred during a period that is still on-going (e.g., “I’ve already eaten tacos for dinner twice this week!“)
- Repeated actions between the past and present (e.g., “I’ve eaten at this restaurant many times before“.)
- Recently completed actions (often used with just or now, e.g., ”I shouldn’t eat anything because I’ve just brushed my teeth!”)
- Actions where timing (when they occurred) is irrelevant (e.g., “Have you seen the film ‘The Godfather’?”)
- To emphasize change over time (e.g., “You’ve grown so much since I last saw you!“)
1. Past actions or events that continue in the present
We use the present perfect to depict actions that began before the present time but are still related to the present, as in:
- I’ve heard some great news!
- They have played piano since the age of three.
- We’ve lived in Toronto for over a decade.
2. Actions that occurred during a period that’s on-going
To describe something that’s been going on, and is still going on, as in:
- It’s rained all week.
- He’s worked all week.
- I’ve seen this show twice this week.
3. Repeated actions between the past and present
- I’ve visited Portugal many times before.
- You’ve done this many times already.
- We’ve eaten there tons of times before.
4. Recently completed actions (often used with just or now)
- We’ve just seen them!
- Have you just finished work?
- I have just finished practice now.
5. Actions where timing (when they occurred) is irrelevant
- I’ve read “Pride and Prejudice”.
- Someone has taken my book!
- I have studied French and Italian, and am fluent in both.
6. To emphasize change over time
- You’ve grown so much since I last saw you!
- I’ve become an expert at chess after months of practice.
- We have witnessed her maturation over the past number of years.
The present perfect tense, think of it as connecting the past to the present – like a bridge, where the present perfect “walks” across the gap between past actions and their ongoing impact.
Read about nouns in grammar
- What are Common Nouns vs Proper Nouns?
- What are Collective Nouns? (Collective Nouns vs Mass Nouns)
- Plural Only Nouns (Explanation & Examples)
- Abstract Nouns vs Concrete Nouns Explained
- What are Possessive Nouns? (Formation of Possessive Nouns)
Sources
Work Sheet
According to the blog post, what does the present perfect tense primarily highlight?
What is the correct auxiliary verb to use with the subject “She” when forming the present perfect tense, as mentioned in the post?
The blog post identifies “He has took the dog for a walk” as incorrect. What is the correct past participle form of ‘take’ needed here?
Which auxiliary verb (have/has) is typically used for most sentence subjects (e.g., I, you, we, they) when constructing the present perfect tense?
According to the examples and rules in the post, which of the following sentences correctly uses the present perfect tense?
Complete the sentence from the post with the correct auxiliary verb: “They ____ studied for the exam all week.”
Complete the sentence from the post with the correct auxiliary verb: “My neighbor ____ worked at the hospital since 2010.”
Complete the sentence with the correct past participle form, based on the error shown in the post: “He has ____ the dog for a walk.”
Complete the sentence from the post with the correct form of the verb: “I have ____ my work.”
Complete the sentence from the post with the correct auxiliary verb: “We ____ read several books by this author this year.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the present perfect tense?
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How do I form the present perfect?
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When do I use has instead of have?
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When should I use this tense?
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What’s a common mistake?
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Yash, D. "What’s the Present Perfect Tense?." Grammarflex, Jun 17, 2025, https://www.grammarflex.com/whats-the-present-perfect-tense/.
