PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
A/ STRUCTURE:
Subject + have/ has + Ved/pp
B/ USE:
1. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which
started in the past and continuous up to now.
Examples
I have been a teacher for more than ten years.
We haven't seen Janine since Friday.
How long have you been at this school?
2. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences.
Examples
I have been abroad two times.
Anna has never broken a leg.
Have you ever eaten sushi?
Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk
about experience.
3. We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that
has the result in the present.
Examples
I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now.
Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now.
Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready?
4. The Present Perfect Tense is used for giving the news of recent
events or we talk about past event and do not mention exactly when
it happened.
Examples
My brother has bought a new laptop.
There has been a plane crash near London.
5. We often use Present Perfect to say that something has happened
several times up to the present.


He’s still a
teacher.
- He was a teacher for more than ten years

He is not a teacher
anymore.
Signal words: just, for, since, already, not…yet, ever, never, before, so far,
until now=up to now, lately=recently,…
Examples
- We've already had our breakfast.
- Haven't you got ready yet? Look at the time!
Present Perfect Continuous
A/ STRUCTURE:
Subject + have/ has + been + V-ing
B/USE:
6. Talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now, it
will probably continue into the future.
Examples:
We have been waiting here for 20 minutes. (We are waiting now.)
Listen, that burglar alarm has been ringing since 8am this morning.
7. We use the present perfect continuous tense to talk about an action that
started in the past and stopped recently. There is usually a result now.
Examples:
I'm tired because I've been running.
Why is the grass wet? Has it been raining?
You don't understand because you haven't been listening.
For and Since
We use for with a period of time, for example: a few days, half an hour, two years.
We use since with the time when the action started, for example: last year, June 8,