When we use the present perfect. Is Perfect group tense necessary in colloquial speech?

Any tenses of the Perfect category indicate the perfection of the action, that the situation is complete, and not long-term or permanent. As for The Present Perfect Tense - ‘this is a tense that is certainly associated with the present action, as evidenced by its name.

General information

The main feature of this type of tense form is that in sentences with the Present Perfect we are talking about a completed action, the result of which has a direct connection with the current time. Very often there is a time where there is no emphasis on connections with the present, and it is based solely on the fact of the event that occurred.

Here are examples of sentences that show how the present perfect tense looks and is used in English:

· You have done more than stay young; you have stayed a child - You did more than just stay young - you remained a child
· I have made you a bed upstairs, make yourself at home - I made you a bed upstairs, make yourself at home

As can be seen from these examples, the present perfect tense, as it is called in Russian transcription, is used to express not just an event that took place in the past, but reflects the result of a completed action that is relevant now.

Education Present Perfect

The present completed tense often causes difficulties for those who are still at the stage of learning English, because here several nuances come into force at once, which are extremely important to take into account. Firstly, the Present Perfect is necessarily formed using auxiliary verbs. These are auxiliary verbs such as have and has (the latter is used only for third person pronouns used in the singular - he, she, it). Secondly, this verb in the present perfect tense is followed by a main verb, which is in the form Past Participle, or Participle II (popularly the third form of the verb). Here it is important to navigate the list of irregular verbs, but for regular verbs everything is simpler, because the ending –ed is simply added to the word.

Therefore, the classic Present Perfect formula looks like this:

Have
Has + V(3) (–ed)

· I have never had a chance to meet anyone here – I have never had the opportunity to meet anyone here
· She has worked in this company for 3 years already – She has worked in this company for 3 years already

Questions and denials

Interrogative sentences

here they are formed with the same auxiliary verbs have and has, which in general issue, i.e. in the one to which the answer can be “yes” or “no”, are in the original position:

· Have you already finished your course work? -Have you already finished your course work?
· Has he just returned from his trip? – Has he just returned from his trip?

Special questions

at the beginning of which there is a question word like when, why, how, etc., are formed according to a similar principle, with the only difference being that these interrogative words occupy the initial position:

· How long has she been here? – How long has she been here?
· Why has he written so many articles today? – Why did he write so many articles today?

Present Perfect formula in a negative sentence

practically no different from the affirmative form. Here the grammar provides for the simple use of the particle not after the auxiliary verb, where have not = haven’t, hasn’t = has not. Negation looks like this:

· I haven’t completed my daily report yet – I have not yet completed my daily report
· He still hasn’t brought us money - He still hasn’t brought us money

Note: the rule provides for the use of this tense in special interrogative and negative constructions with the inclusion of the phrase “ever”, where the Present Perfect time markers used are the adverbs ever or never:

· Have you ever been to Bangkok? – Have you ever been to Bangkok?
· I have never seen such a beautiful landscape! – I have never seen such a beautiful landscape!

Using the Present Perfect

The use of the Present Perfect is typical for the following situations:

1. Completed action

In order to display a completed action, which has a clear echo in the present tense and, unlike the simple tense, is used to express completeness. Companions of the Present Perfect in such situations are specific adverbs already, ever, never, yet (typical for interrogative and negative sentences, where its frequent position is at the end of the phrase), just, for (shows the duration of the action), as well as those time frames which show that the action is not yet completed (this year, today, etc.).

· He hasn’t called me for ages – He hasn’t called me for ages
· We have already found out the latest news – We have already found out latest news
· I have done much this year - This year I have done a lot (in the sense that the year is not over yet)

Note: in the Present Perfect just, this is one of the markers that translates as “just now.” But if the construction just now is used, then the Past Simple is typical, despite the fact that the translation will be identical:

· I have just cooked breakfast - I just cooked breakfast
· I cooked breakfast just now - I just cooked breakfast

Note: the so-called American English, which has become an integral part of modern life, very often does not provide for the use of the Present Perfect, even in such obvious situations when there are special helpers in the form of adverbs or there are other factors regulating the use of the Perfect. In this version, the perfect is ignored, although classical grammar does not approve of this:

I have lost my key – I lost my key (I lost the key)

2. With the preposition “since” + Past Simple

The situation deserves special attention when with the Present Perfect since, the preposition, which is translated as “from”, “from the moment”, is used in the same sentence together with. With this sense, the construction of the sentence is constructed as follows:

I haven’t seen her since I left for Sydney - I haven’t seen her since I left for Sydney

In this example, the first part of the sentence uses the Present Perfect, and the second uses the Past Simple. Very often in such sentences it is recommended to look for the so-called starting point, i.e. the action from which it all began. In this example, this is the part “since I left for Moscow.” The use of Perfect is relevant here for the reason that the action is performed (or not performed from then to now, which shows the result to today). In the Present Perfect, examples of such situations are not uncommon, and the English language in this case provides a well-founded reason for such use.

3. In subordinate tenses

The use of this tense is also typical for those cases when the perfect is part of the subordinate parts of time. Marker words Present The perfect in this case is the same as in (Conditional I): these are conjunctions unless, when, as soon as, before, after, etc. The main feature here is that the emphasis is on the completeness of the event, and not on its fact. Present Perfect sentences here could be as follows:

· I will not call him until you have told me everything - I won’t call him until you tell me everything
· They will come as soon as I have finished my work - They will come as soon as I finish work

Note: There is an exception to this rule. Provided that if the verbs in the Present Perfect here belong either to the category of movement (arrive, come, return, etc.) or sensory perception, then using the present perfect tense with them is undesirable; it would be correct to put the usual Present Simple, more often used in a conditional sentence first type:

· I will be glad when he comes - I will be glad when he comes
· She will get in a fury when she hears my words – She will get furious when she hears my words

But even here the Present Perfect is possible when there are indicators that the speaker is deliberately emphasizing completeness and not expressively emphasizing it; the translation in this case will prove the relevance of the use of the perfect:

I will learn the poem by heart when I have heard it a few times - I will learn the poem by heart when I listen to it several times(completeness, performed several times, is expressively emphasized)

Let's sum it up

As it becomes clear from all of the above, phrases in the perfect are formed and used when there is an intention to demonstrate the completeness of an action or to display the period of time that it occupies up to the present moment. The formation scheme for Present Perfect is quite simple, although it requires memorization. Like any other type of tense form, Present Perfect Tense has very clear rules for use, so the main thing is to strictly follow all the instructions, and then this time will not cause any inconvenience.

A perfect presentation is not difficult to understand, but it is difficult to start using it in your communication.
This material was prepared by native English speakers themselves in a very accessible and understandable form.

What is Present Perfect

1. Present Perfect is a mix of the present tense and the past.
2. Present Perfect - makes your English richer.
3. In American English, the Present Perfect is often replaced by the Past Simple.

When is the Present Perfect used?

1. The action happened and we see the result now.
2. When it comes to our life experiences.
3. When various kinds of changes have occurred in life, in the world, in oneself, etc.
4. When general achievements are mentioned.
5. When you need to emphasize the duration of accomplished facts.

Let's look at the above points in more detail.

1. The action happened and we see the result now

The main marker is the word “just”, which is not translated into Russian, but it is implied. Or when it is important for us to focus on what has been done or happened.

I (just) had breakfast. I have breakfast.
I (just) did my homework. I have done my homework.

I (just) washed my car. I have washed my car.
We (just) arrived. We have arrived.

She (just) forgot her car keys. She has lost her car keys.
The plane (just) landed. The plane has landed.

2. When it comes to our experience

For example: he never ate frogs, she never went to America, they flew on a plane, we never got chicken pox, etc.

The main marker is the word “once, before” or “never”, which are also not translated, but are implied by the context.

I've seen this movie (before). I have seen this movie.
Have you ever been in love? Have you ever fallen in love?

She had never seen snow. She has never seen snow.
Have you ever driven a Ferrari? Have you ever driven on a Ferrari?

I was (once, before) in Paris. I have visited Paris.
I've never been sick (before). I've never been sick before.
I've seen this world. I've seen the world.

3. When various kinds of changes occurred in life

What could it be: gasoline prices have risen, a new house has been built nearby, a child has grown up, you have learned more words in English, a new president has been elected, etc.

She has lost weight. She has lost some weight.
Our son learned to read. Our son has learned how to read.

Gasoline prices have increased significantly. Gas prices have increased a lot.

My dream has come true. My dream has come true.

Since I moved to Canada, my English has really improved.
My English has really improved since I moved to Canada.

Vanechka has grown since the last time I saw him.
Ivan has grown since the last time I saw him.

4. When talking about overall achievements

Apple released a new iPhone, a man flew to Mars, a new cure for cancer was invented, and the ideal car was finally created in Russia.

Doctors have discovered drugs for many diseases.
Doctors have discovered cures for many diseases.

Man has been to the moon. Man has been to the moon.

The computer made it possible to study online.
The computer has made it possible to learn online.

5. When to emphasize the duration of accomplished facts

Everything is simple here: we have been in a relationship for 5 years, I have lived in Australia since 1990, I have not seen him for 2 years, she has been working in this company for 10 years, etc..

I haven't been on vacation this year. I haven’t had a holiday this year.
I have known Anya for 5 years. I have known Anna for 5 years.

Sam has been working here for 7 years. Sam has worked here for 7 years.
I haven't seen my brother since last year. I haven’t seen my brother since last year.
We've been dating for 3 months. We have been in a relationship for 3 months.

Important nuance!
If you are taking an exam or focusing on American English, remember:
In American English, present perfect is often replaced by past simple.

I have just seen him. Bre
I saw him.

I just saw him. Amer
I saw him.

She has never seen snow. Bre
She had never seen snow.

She never saw snow. Amer
She had never seen snow.

Formation of the Present Perfect

have/has + verb ending - ed - or irregular verb from the third column -V3-

Simple sentence

I You We They have cooked dinner
He She It has cooked dinner

Negation in Present Perfect

I You We They have not - haven't lived in Moscow
He She It has not - hasn't lived in Moscow

Questions in the Present Perfect

Have I You We They seen that?
Has He She It known about..?

Present Perfect Simple

1. Time name

Present Perfect Simple

2. Method of education

3. Changefinal letters
Tat (short vowel syllable) + ed = tatted
Silent e + ed = ed
Ty + ed = tied

4. Formation approval
Subject + have\has + V3 + minor members of the sentence

5. Formation of the question
Have\has + subject + V3 + minor members of the sentence?

6. Formation of denial
Subject + have\has + not + V3 + minor members of the sentence

7. Words are indicators of time
Ever, never, yet (the word yet in interrogative sentences comes last), already, just, since, for (non-continuous verbs) not only lately, recently, the first (second) time, superlative degree of comparison.

8. Time value

    An action that just happened.

    The action took place in the past, but we see the result now.

    The action that started in famous moment in the past and is still ongoing or has just ended (non-continuous verbs) or state verbs.

    An action that began at a certain moment in the past and is repeated to this day.

    Something that never happened.

    WITH superlative comparisons.

    An action that happened 1, 2, 3... times.

9. Modal verbs and designs
Modal verbs:
- Can - have\has\had to

No constructions are used.

Present Perfect - Present Complete

We have already gone through 2 present tenses, which we called “simple” and"long". Now we'll look at present complete - Present Perfect. It sounds paradoxical, but in English some types of completed actions can refer to the present tense rather than the past tense. Such actions are referred to in the context of a period of time that has not yet ended. For Russian-speaking students, this phenomenon may present some difficulties, because... we convey it using the past tense. However, the situation will become clearer after you understand the difference. Look at the following pair of sentences in Russian that used the past tense:

In English, these two sentences will be used in 2 different tenses.
  1. I traveled to the USA last spring.-- refers to the Simple Past, which we have already gone through. the key phrase is " last spring ", i.e. a period of time that has already been completed. -I went to the USA last spring
  2. I have traveled to the USA three times in my life.-- refers to the Present Complete, because period of time" for my life " has not yet been completed, despite the fact that the action has already been completed. - I have gone to the USA three times in my life
Those. the key point will be the period of time referred to in the sentence.
  • For education Present Perfect You need to put after the subject the verb “Have” in the form corresponding to the subject (Have / Has), and after that the verb, to which the ending “ed” is added. It should be noted that the verb have in the Present Perfect is auxiliary and does not mean “to have”. It simply helps form the Present Perfect Tense.
We know that there are also irregular verbs for which the ending “ed” cannot be substituted, and they simply had to be learned to be used in the past tense. So in the Present Perfect such verbs will have new uniform. This form is called "Past Participle", and it will be used in many other tenses and phrases, which we will consider further. Look at the following irregular verbs whose past tense forms you already know. Now remember the Past Participle forms that will be used in the Present Perfect.

List of Irregular Verbs in English
Present Past Past Participle
be was, were been
become became become
begin began begun
blow blew blown
break broke broken
bring brought brought
build built built
burst burst burst
buy bought bought
burst burst burst
catch caught caught
choose chose chosen
come came come
cut cut cut
deal dealt dealt
do did done
drink drank drunk
drive drove driven
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feed fed fed
feel felt felt
fight fought fought
find found found
fly flew flown
forbid forbade forbidden
forget forgot forgotten
forgive forgave forgiven
freeze froze frozen
get got gotten
give gave given
go went gone
grow grew grown
have had had
hear heard heard
hide hid hidden
hold held held
hurt hurt hurt
keep kept kept
know knew known
lay laid laid
lead led led
leave left left
let let let
lie lay lain
lose lost lost
make made made
meet met met
pay paid paid
quit quit quit
read read read
ride rode ridden
run ran run
say said said
see saw seen
seek sought sought
sell sold sold
send sent sent
shake shook shaken
shine shone shone
sing sang sung
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
speak spoke spoken
spend spent spent
spring sprang sprung
stand stood stood
steal stole stolen
swim swam swum
swing swung swung
take took taken
teach taught taught
tear tore torn
tell told told
think thought thought
throw threw thrown
understand understood understood
wake woke (waked) woken
wear wore worn
win won won
write wrote written
Now look at examples of Present Perfect formation:

Subject have/has (not) Past Participle Abbreviations
I have (not) written I"ve (not) (I haven"t)
you have (not) worked you"ve (not) (you haven"t)
he has (not) understood he"s (not) (he hasn't)
she has (not) played she"s (not) (she hasn't)
it has (not) broken it"s (not) (it hasn't)
we have (not) cooked we"ve (not) (we haven"t)
they have (not) met they"ve (not) (they haven"t)





Questions:
Where have
has
I/you/we/they
he/she/it
been?
Have you been to Ukraine? Yes, I have
Has she written a letter? No, she hasn't
Have they visited their parents? Yes, they have.

Present Perfect- time English verbs, which connects the past with the present - the present completed tense. This is where some confusion begins for Russian people. There is no such tense in our language.

Rules for using Present Perfect

Let's watch a video in which Irina Shipilova, as always, very cheerfully and dynamically, explains in detail this rather complex design for us - the perfect present.

A visual diagram of the connection between the past and the present. Place Present Perfect

Rules for constructing Present Perfect

Auxiliary verb have/has + Past Participle. Instead of full form have/has very often the English use the contracted version ‘ve/’s - I’ve been there, She’s been there.

Pay special attention to abbreviations she has=she's, he has = he's - It’s important here not to confuse it with another form - she is, he is, which in its abbreviated version looks and is pronounced exactly the same. Can be distinguished by application Past Participle after she has,he has, and also from the context.

Education table Present Perfect


Present Perfect means: to of the moment, no matter When specifically. If a specific time were specified, we would have to use

Use Present perfect. Examples and text.

1. To express a past action that has a result in the present.

The action was usually completed recently:

We 've lost our key. (We haven’t got it now) - We lost our key (we don’t have it now) What have you done to your dress? (It looks strange) - What did you do with your dress? (It looks weird) Jane 's had her baby! - Jane gave birth to a baby! I 've been ruined the meal. It's burnt. - I ruined the food. She burned down. The train hasn't arrived. (We are still waiting for it) - The train has not arrived (We are still waiting for it)

The present perfect is often used with adverbs of indefinite tense, which the acronym will help you remember JEANY

Here you need to pay attention to the fact that these adverbs are placed before Past Participle except YET, which comes after Past Participle:

I haven't done my work yet(Negative) - I haven't done my job yet She hasn't been to Harrods yet(Negative) - She hasn't been to Harrods yet Has the doctor has been yet? (Question) - Was there already a doctor? I 've already done my homework— I have already done my homework
2. To express an action that began in the past and is still ongoing.

Often used for, since and how long

We 've lived in the same flat for twenty years - We have been living in the same apartment for twenty years He has worked as a teacher since 2010 - He has been working as a teacher since 2010 How long has she known him? - How long has she known him?
3. To express the experience that we once acquired in life.

The action was committed in the past and has already been completed, but its effect remains. Again, it doesn’t matter when this action was performed, the time is not specified, otherwise you need to use Past Simple.

He 's written a book - He wrote a book Have you ever had an operation? —Have you ever had surgery? Irina has lived in China. — Irina lives in China How many times have you been married?- How many times have you been married?


Text


Exercises, tests.

1. Present Perfect

Elementary level

Start Quiz

Affirmative form The Present Perfect is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the corresponding person and number (has - for the 3rd person singular, have - for all other persons in the singular and all persons in plural) and past participle (Participle II - participle II) of the semantic verb.

to have + Participle II

I have translated the text. I translated the text.
He has written two letters. He wrote two letters.

Question form is formed by moving the auxiliary verb, which is placed before the subject. If there is a question word, it is placed before the auxiliary verb.

Have did you translate this text? Have you translated this text?
What have did you translate? What did you translate?

Have I cooked? Have we cooked?
Have you cooked? Have you cooked?
Has he / she / it cooked? Have they cooked?

Abbreviations:

Along with full form are also used, especially in colloquial speech, abbreviated versions of the affirmative, negative and interrogative-negative forms.

  • 1. In the affirmative form, the spelling and pronunciation of the auxiliary verb have/has changes:

I've = I have
He's =He has
We've = We have

  • 2. In negative form - two options for abbreviation:

a) negative particle not remains unchanged, only the auxiliary verb is reduced:

I've not = I have not
He's not = He has not
We've not = We have not

b) negative particle not loses the letter o and merges with the auxiliary verb:

I haven't= I have not
He hasn't= He has not

The same change occurs in the interrogative-negative form:

Haven't did you work?
Hasn't he written?

Using the Present Perfect

Present Perfect is used:

  • 1. To express an action that has already taken place in the previous period before the moment of speech, but has a direct connection with the present moment. This connection to the present moment manifests itself:

a) as a result of an action that is available at the moment of speech:

I've read this article. I have read this article. (I know its contents, I can tell you.)
Doesn't have a letter written. He wrote a letter. (The result is a letter that can be read and sent.)

b) in sentences with words denoting an unfinished period of time: today - Today, this morning - this morning, this week - this week, this month - this month etc., as well as with adverbs of indefinite time: ever - ever, never - never, often - often, already - already, yet - Bye, more, just - just now, lately - recently(for last days, weeks), recently - recently(for recent months or years) lately, up to now - still, rarely - rarely, once - one day, once upon a time etc. (most of them are more often used in interrogative and negative sentences).

I haven’t seen her this week. I haven't seen her this week.
I've never seen her before. I've never seen her before.
Has she come back yet? Is she already back?
She has published a new book recently. She recently published a new book.
Have you ever been to London? Have you ever been to London?

Please note:
In the above cases, the verb in the Present Perfect is translated into Russian by a verb in the past tense.

  • 2. To express an action that began in the past, but has not yet ended (continuing), often with verbs that are not used in the Continuous form. At the same time, an unfinished period of time is often indicated by circumstances of time with the preposition for - for(for years - for many years, for ages - forever, for three weeks - within three weeks etc.), with the preposition since - With(since Sunday - from Sunday, since 10 o'clock - from 10 o'clock, since 1990 - since 1990 etc.), as well as a subordinate clause with the conjunction since - since then.

I haven’t seen you for ages. We haven't seen each other for ages.
Has not been here for three weeks already. He's been here for three weeks now.
I haven’t heard from him since August. I haven't heard from him since August.
We have known her since 1990. We have known her since 1990.

Please note:
In this case, verbs in the Present Perfect can be translated into Russian by verbs in the past or present tense - depending on the context.

Note also the following:

The difference in the use of Present Perfect and Simple Past/Past Indefinite is that Simple Past/Past Indefinite is always associated with a past period of time (which may be indicated or clear from the context) and expresses an action-fact, while Present Perfect is always associated with present and expresses the action-result or experience acquired as a result of the action.

Compare:

The Present Perfect is not used if there is an exact indication of time in the past (yesterday, last night, etc.), since in this case the connection with the present moment is broken. The presence of this connection is a prerequisite for using the Present Perfect. If there is no such connection, then Simple Past/Past Indefinite is used.

Compare:

a) I have heard his speech and I liked it. I heard his performance and I liked it.
b) I heard his speech last night. I heard him speak last night.

In the first case (a), the time of the action is not indicated, but it happened in the past and the connection with the present is expressed by the fact that you like it (the performance) even now - the Present Perfect is used. In the second case (b) the duration of action is indicated, and therefore Simple Past/Past Indefinite is used.

Compare also:

a) I have seen her this morning. I saw her this morning.
b) I saw her this morning. I saw her this morning.

In the first case (a), this can be said if the conversation takes place in the morning, the morning time has not yet expired. In the second case (b), this can be said if the conversation takes place during the day or evening, the morning time has already expired. With the expression this morning, the Present Perfect can only be used if the action took place before one o'clock in the afternoon. If it happened later, for example, at one thirty (13.30), then Simple Past/Past Indefinite is used, since, according to the British, “morning” lasts only until one o’clock in the afternoon.

  • 3. The Present Perfect is also used in sentences in which the action, although it happened in the past, can be repeated.

I have seen wolves in this forest. I saw wolves in this forest. (It is implied that they can be found there and now.)
I saw wolves in this forest. I saw wolves in this forest. (The use of the Simple Past expresses a statement of fact.)

Compare also:

a) Pushkin wrote many wonderful poems. Pushkin wrote many beautiful poems.
b) Yevtushenko has written many wonderful poems. Yevtushenko wrote many beautiful poems.

In the first sentence (a) we used Simple Past/Past Indefinite - wrote, since Pushkin is no longer alive and the possibility of repeating the action, i.e., writing more poetry, is excluded. In the second sentence (b) the verb in the Present Perfect is used - has written, since the author is alive and, perhaps, will write many more beautiful poems.

  • 4. The Present Perfect is used in answers to a question asked in the Present Perfect (unless the tense is specified in the answer). If the time of action in the answer is specified, then it is given in Simple Past/Past Indefinite.

Have you seen the new English film? Have you seen the new English film?
Yes, I have (seen the new English film). Yes, I saw (the new English film).
But: Yes, I saw it yesterday. Yes, I saw him yesterday.

Please note:

If the dialogue is not limited to one question and answer, but continues, then the first one or two questions and answers are used in the Present Perfect, and the conversation continues in the Simple Past / Past Indefinite, because The main thing is not actions, but circumstances.

Husband: Where have you been? Husband: Where have you been?
Wife: I’ve been at the sales. Wife: I was in the store (at a discount sale).
Husband: What have you bought? (What did you buy?) Husband: What did you buy?
Wife: I’ve bought (I bought) yellow pajamas. Wife: I bought yellow pajamas.
Husband: Why did you buy yellow? I told you never to buy yellow for me. Husband: Why yellow? I told you to never buy yellow for me.
Wife: I couldn't resist it. They were very much reduced. Wife: I couldn't resist. They were so cheap. (They were greatly discounted).

Place of adverbs in sentences when used with the Present Perfect form

  • 1. Adverbs ever, never, often, rarely, just, as a rule, are placed before the semantic verb.

I have never read that book. I've never read this book.
Doesn't have often been there. He visited there often.
They have just left the house. They just left.

  • 2. Adverb already also placed before the semantic verb in affirmative sentences, and in interrogative sentences, as a rule, at the end of the sentence and is usually expressed in the latter case surprise (already with a hint of the meaning “so soon”).

Have you translated the article already?
Have you really (so soon) translated the article?

  • 3. Adverbs lately, recently, once and combinations up to now, many times, as a rule, are placed at the end of the sentence.

I haven’t received any letters from him lately. I haven't received any letters from him lately.
We have seen him recently. We saw him recently.

  • 4. Adverb yet is used in negative sentences in the sense of “still” and is usually placed at the end of the sentence. In interrogative sentences it means “already” and is also placed at the end of the sentence.

Hasn’t finished his work yet. He hasn't finished his work yet.
Have they come back yet? Have they returned yet?

Present Perfect is the present perfect tense, which denotes an action that has already taken place in the previous period before the moment of speech, but has a direct connection with the present moment.