Using Present Perfect

Talk to your partner

• What do you know about … Present Perfect?

Form

Have or Has + past participle

Some past participles are regular• I have lived in Walthamstow for 8 years.• She has studied English since 2010.Some past participles are irregular• I have been to Spain.• He has written 3 books.

Sentences

• I have eaten lobster.• I’ve been to Mexico.• She has ridden a horse.• She’s travelled to many countries.• They have done the homework.• They’ve finished the book.• We have booked a cottage.• We’ve met the Prime Minister.

Can you write 2 sentences using present perfect?

Negative

• I have not eaten lobster.• I haven’t been to Mexico.• She has not ridden a horse.• She hasn’t travelled to many countries.• They have not done the homework.• They haven’t finished the book.• We have not booked a cottage.• We haven’t met the Prime Minister.

Can you write 2 negative sentences using present perfect?

Questions

• Have I eaten lobster?• Have you been to Mexico?• Have you ridden a horse?• Has she ridden a horse?• Has Amanda travelled to many countries?• Have they done the homework?• Have the students finished the book?• Have we booked a cottage?

Can you write 2 questions using present perfect?

Use of present perfect

• To describe past experiences• To describe events or actions which

started in the past and continue to the present.

• To describe events or actions with results in present or very recent events.

My life

1969 2012

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

I have ridden a horse.

• I have been to America.

• I have ridden a horse.

• We use Present Perfect when a past action is finished but we don’t say the time or it isn’t important. It was an experience that happened and the time doesn’t matter.

• Remember – if you use a specific time you have to use past simple.

I went to America in 1999.

Can you write a sentence about an experience that happened.

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

I have ridden a horse.

I have worked at WFC since 1995.

1995

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

I have ridden a horse.

I have worked at WFC since 1995.

1995

I have lived in Walthamstow for 8 years.

2004

• I have worked at WFC since 1995.

• I have lived in Walthamstow for 8 years.

• We also use Present Perfect when a past action is not finished. It is still true now – in the present.

Can you write a sentence about a past action that is not finished.

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

I have ridden a horse.

I have worked at WFC since 1995.

1995

I have lived in Walthamstow for 8 years.

2004

I’ve lost my keys.

My life

19692012

I have been to America.

I have ridden a horse.

I have worked at WFC since 1995.

1995

I have lived in Walthamstow for 8 years.

2004

I’ve lost my keys.

She’s missed her train.

• I’ve lost my keys. ( I lost them in the past but I’m telling you now – in the present)

• She’s missed her train. (She has just missed it)

• We also use Present Perfect to describe past events with results in the present or very recent events.

• Remember – if you use a specific time you have to use past simple.

I lost my keys last week.

Can you write a sentence about a past event with results in the present or a very recent

event.