Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect is a common tense in English. You should understand it, and know it well.
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How do We Use the this Tense?
PERFECT here means "complete, finished".Present Perfect is a form of the verb that shows the action was complete before the present.
It does not mean the action is "perfect" (100%). It means the action is finished.
Here
are the
different usages of this tense:
-
Actions that happened at an unspecified time before the present
-
States that started in the past, and are still going on
Note: this is a broader use of this tense.
It is usually used with states, not actions.
Make sure you also read:
Examples of Typical Time ExpressionsPresent Perfect Example Sentences
Simple Past or Present Perfect – Which Tense Should You Use?
Actions
that happened at
an unspecified time before the present
(The verbs are
in bold)
He has learned
how to ride a horse.
He has fixed
the light.
They have called 5 times already.
She has grown so much.
She has become such a good secretary.
He has never done it before.
Actions
that ended recently
She has broken
the vase.
He has just seen the news.
He has already caught the ball.
She has bought
some food for us.
He has lost his cloths.
States
that started in the past,
and are still going on
It is usually used with states, not actions.
He has been sick since Saturday.
He has had
this motorbike for 5 years.
He has
always liked
him.
They have lived
here for a long time.
Examples
of
Typical Time Expressions
| Before the present | Recently | Up to now |
| ever | recently | since |
| never | lately | for |
| once | already | |
| 3 times | just | |
| so far | yet | |
| before | ||
| in the last week | ||
| in the previous year |
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