Present Perfect Tense

What's next?

1. Read and understand the following explanations and examples

2. Read and understand the Rules

3. Practice, practice, practice with the Exercises

Click Here for Step-by-Step Rules, Stories and Exercises to Practice All English Tenses

How do we use this tense?

Here are the different usages of this tense:

• Actions that happened at an unspecified time before the present

• Actions that ended recently

• 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:

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 clothes.

States that started in the past,
and are still going on

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

What's Next?

1. If you want, you can REREAD the previous explanations and examples.

2. Read and understand the rules.

3. Practice, practice, practice with the exercises.

4. Read and practice with these stories and exercises.

Present Perfect Story 1

Who are they? What have they done? What has happened?

Linda has just walked outside with Grandmother. She wears an apron. So far, she has finished cleaning and washing. She has also gathered seeds and crumbs.

Now Linda and Grandmother are outside. Linda has just dropped some seeds on the ground to feed the birds. The birds have not come yet.

Recently, Grandmother has moved in with Linda's family. She now enjoys living with them.

Grandmother has already sat down on the bench. She also wears an apron. She has just finished cooking.

Grandmother and Linda wait for the birds. They have seen birds in the yard before. Grandmother has always liked to watch the birds. Linda has always liked to feed them.

Click here to download the worksheet: Present Perfect Story 1.

Present Perfect Story 2

Who is she? What has she done? What has happened?

Recently, it has snowed in Maria's town. In the last week, it has snowed three times. Maria has always loved the snow. She has played in the snow many times before.

Maria's dog, Sparky, has never played in the snow. This is Sparky's first snow. He has not felt the cold yet.

Maria has just received a new sled for Christmas. She puts on her warm clothes and snow boots. She pulls the sled up the hill. Sparky has run outside with Maria. Sparky has followed Maria up the hill. He feels good!

Maria has finally reached the top. She sits on her sled. She rides down the hill. Sparky runs beside the sled. They have finally reached the bottom. Sparky has followed Maria all the way down the hill. Sparky has decided that he likes the snow too!

Click here to download the worksheet: Present Perfect Story 2.

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