PresentPerfect signal words. Explanations along with many examples of how to use Present Perfect Tense in English. before (now), it's the first time , so far, so far this morning, up till now, up to the present, ever, not ever, never, this morning, this week, this month etc. X7leamX. Introduction The present perfect progressive tense, also present perfect continuous, expresses an action that begins in the past and lasts until a present or almost present moment. The timing of this action is not specified, instead, the result or process of the action is emphasised. The present perfect progressive is conjugated with the present form of have, the past participle of be and the present participle or -ing form of the main verb. Learn how to use and conjugate the present perfect progressive tense in English grammar. In the exercises, you can practise what you have learnt. Example Aaron has been repairing cars since he was sixteen years old. He has always wanted to be a mechanic. He has been working in this garage for ten years. As Aaron has been changing tyres all morning, his clothes are dirty now. When to use the present perfect progressive The present perfect progressive is similar to the present perfect, but we use it to express a continuing or unfinished action, or emphasise an action rather than a result. Here are the three main uses of the present perfect continuous to express an action in the recent past with emphasis on the action itself and not the result Example Aaron has been changing tyres all morning. to express a single continuing action that started in the past and is incomplete at the present moment Example He has been working in this garage for ten years. He still works in the garage, therefore the action is incomplete. to express repeated actions that started in the past and continue now. Example Aaron has been repairing cars since he was sixteen years old. Take a closer look at the difference between the present perfect and the present perfect progressive in English grammar in the tense comparison section of the website. Signal Words English Present Perfect Progressive Signal words can help us to recognise the tense in a sentence. The signal words for the present perfect progressive are all day, the whole week for 4 years, since 1993, how long? lately Conjugation of English Present Perfect Progressive Tense To conjugate the present perfect progressive we follow the rule have/has + been + verb in the -ing form. The table below provides an overview of conjugations of the present perfect progressive in positive, negative and interrogative sentences. Present Participle – Spelling Rules The present participle is generally formed by adding -ing to the base form of a verb. However, there are a few exceptions to this rule An -e at the end of the word is removed, but -ee, -oe and -ye remain unchanged. Example come – coming but agree - agreeing The final consonant is doubled in words that have a short stressed vowel before the final consonant. However, -w, -x and -y are not doubled. Example sit – sitting but mix – mixing An -l as a final consonant after a vowel is always doubled in British English but not in American English. Example travel – travelling British traveling American An -ie at the end of the word is replaced with a -y Example lie – lying Contractions Contractions are a combination of certain pronouns, verbs and the word not. They are mostly used in spoken and informal written English. The table below provides an overview of contractions in the present perfect progressive tense using the verb have. To Note The contracted form of have is generally only used after pronouns. Example They’ve been repairing cars in the morning. but not The men’ve been repairing cars in the morning. But the contraction of has is possible after nouns as well as pronouns unless the noun already ends with -s. Example He’s/Aaron’s not been repairing cars in the morning. Online exercises to improve your English Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips. Present Perfect Progressive – Free Exercise Present Perfect Progressive – mixed exercise Lingolia Plus English Unlock all grammar exercises for English with a Lingolia Plus account 983 interactive grammar exercises for English sorted by topic and level A1–C1 with a built-in progress tracker and awards system Get started with Lingolia Plus Present Perfect Progressive – Lingolia Plus Exercises Present Perfect Progressive – have or has A2 Present Perfect Progressive – spelling test B1 Present Perfect Progressive – affirmative 1 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – affirmative 2 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – negative 1 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – negative 2 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – questions 1 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – questions 2 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – questions 3 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – short answers B1 Present Perfect Progressive – mixed 2 B1 Present Perfect Progressive – for/since B1 Present Perfect Progressive – How long? B2 Present Perfect Progressive – recently completed actions B2 Present Perfect Progressive – single continuing action 1 B2 Present Perfect Progressive – single continuing action 2 B2 Present Perfect Progressive – repeated actions B2 A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced Introduction The present perfect tense connects the past with the present; it expresses completed past actions and experiences that have an influence on or connection to the present. We use the present perfect when the exact time of the action is not important. The present perfect is formed using a present form of the verb have and the past participle of the main verb. Be aware that many languages have a tense that is similar to the present perfect, however, the usage is probably different. Learn about the conjugation of regular and irregular verbs in the present perfect and master the usage of this tricky English tense. In the exercises, you can test your grammar skills. Example Adam You have been on your phone all day, you should take a break from party planning! James I know, but I want everything to be perfect. Lisa has never had a surprise party before. Adam She’s going to be delighted. James Hopefully! I’ve invited all of her friends and family and now I’m waiting for their replies. Adam Has Tony replied yet? I haven’t seen him for ages! James Not yet, but Ella has just sent a message. She doesn’t know if she can come. Adam That’s annoying, you have reminded her at least seven times! James I know, I’m getting worried. I have already ordered food and drinks for thirty people, but so far only ten have said yes! When to use the present perfect simple We use the present perfect simple to express completed actions that have an influence on the present, usually without a specific time marker Example I’ve invited all her friends and family, now I’m waiting for their replies. we don’t know when the invites were sent past experiences with the signal words ever and never Examples She has never had a surprise party before. Have you ever had a surprise party? recently completed actions usually with the signal word just Example Ella has just sent a message. actions that did or did not happen up to the moment of speaking with already and yet Examples Has Tony replied yet? I have already ordered food and drinks for thirty people. how often or how many times up to now Example You have reminded her at least seven times. states and situations that began in the past and continue up to the present with the signal words for and since Example I haven’t seen him for ages. She has wanted a surprise party for years. Signal Words for the Present Perfect Simple Signal words can help us recognise which tense to use. The typical signal words for the present perfect simple are ever, never already, just, not … yet so far, until now, up to now … for, since often with stative verbs Info The signal words just, already, ever and never follow the auxiliary Examples —i’ve just finished this great book. —I’ve never read it. Can I borrow it? Other signal words like yet, so far, for, since … come at the end of the phrase Examples I haven’t read that book yet. Remember already is used in positive sentences whereas yet is used in negative sentences and questions. Examples Have you started this book yet? Yes, I’ve already finished it. / No, I haven’t started it yet. Some of the signal words for the present perfect simple are the same as those for the past perfect simple. The difference is whether they refer to a time in the present or the past. Conjugation of English Present Perfect Tense To conjugate the present perfect tense in English we use the present form of the auxiliary verb have and the past participle of the main verb. The table below provides and overview of the conjugation in positive, negative and interrogative sentences. Past participle – Spelling Rules The past participle for regular verbs is formed by adding -ed to the base form of the verb. The past participle of irregular verbs is different and should be memorised. However, here are a few exceptions to take note of when conjugating the past participle of regular verbs When a verb ends with -e, we simply add a -d. Example love – loved not loveed The final consonant is doubled after short stressed vowels. Example admit – admitted The final consonant -l is always doubled after a vowel in British English but not in American English. Example travel – travelled British, traveled American A -y at the end of the word is replaced by an -i. Example hurry – hurried Learn the difference between the irregular past participles of the verb go with our page on been to/gone to. been vs. gone The verb go has two past participle forms been and gone. The difference depends on where the subject is currently located. Use gone for incomplete visits Example —Where’s Sarah? I haven’t seen her yet. —She’s just gone to the supermarket, she’ll be back soon. Sarah is still at the supermarket or on her way there at the time of speaking Use been for completed visits Example —Oh no! Callum has just been to the supermarket, the fridge is already full! Callum is no longer at the supermarket at the time of speaking, this visit is complete Read more about the difference between been and gone in English grammar. Contractions Contractions are a combination of certain pronouns, verbs and the word not. They are mostly used in spoken and informal written English. The table below provides an overview of contractions in the present perfect tense using the verb have. Note In written English, we usually form contractions with a pronoun and an auxiliary help verb, but not with a noun and an auxiliary. Example They’ve never played football. but not The girls’ve never played football However, the contraction of has can be used after nouns as well as pronouns. Example He’s/The boy’s never played football. ’s = has Words that end in -s are an exception to this Example James’s never played football. → James has never played football. Online exercises to improve your English Improve your English with Lingolia. Each grammar topic comes with one free exercise where you can review the basics, as well as many more Lingolia Plus exercises where you can practise according to your level. Check your understanding by hovering over the info bubbles for simple explanations and handy tips. Present Perfect Simple – Free Exercise Present Perfect Simple – mixed exercise Lingolia Plus English Unlock all grammar exercises for English with a Lingolia Plus account 983 interactive grammar exercises for English sorted by topic and level A1–C1 with a built-in progress tracker and awards system Get started with Lingolia Plus Present Perfect Simple – Lingolia Plus Exercises Present Perfect Simple – regular verbs A2 Present Perfect Simple – irregular verbs 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – irregular verbs 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – contractions have A2 Present Perfect Simple – contractions 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – positive sentences 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – positive sentences 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – negatives 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – negatives 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – questions 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – questions 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – questions and short answers B1 Present Perfect Simple – mixed sentences 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – mixed sentences 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – mixed sentences 3 B1 Present Perfect Simple – ever/never 1 A2 Present Perfect Simple – ever/never 2 A2 Present Perfect Simple – ever/never 3 A2 Present Perfect Simple – ever/never 4 A2 Present Perfect Simple – experiences B1 Present Perfect Simple – recently completed actions B1 Present Perfect Simple – influence on the present B1 Present Perfect Simple – actions without time markers B1 Present Perfect Simple – just/already/yet 1 B1 Present Perfect Simple – just/already/yet 2 B1 Present Perfect Simple – just/already/yet 3 B1 Present Perfect Simple – just/already/yet 4 B1 Present Perfect Simple – been/gone 1 B1 Present Perfect Simple – been/gone 2 B1 Present Perfect Simple – mixed 2 B1 Present Perfect Simple – dialogue 1 B1 Present Perfect Simple – dialogue 2 B1 Present Perfect Simple – Technical Difficulties B2 A1Beginner A2Elementary B1Intermediate B2Upper intermediate C1Advanced – Learning English Online © 1999-2023 CHAPTER II THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE The Definition of the Present Perfect Tense Present Perfect can be divided into two words, they are present and perfect. So, the writer would like to explain the meaning word by word. The Present is the time which shows an action or state in the present. Perfect is a tense formed with have and past participle. The Present Perfect Tense is the time which shows an action that is formed with have and a past participle. Wittenberg seventh edition 64 notes that The Present Perfect Tense shows that the action or state occuring in the past or was recently completed and continuous in the present. It consists of the helping verb has or have plus a past participle. The house has been vacant for a month or more. Both organizations have received several federal grants. According to Patricia K. Werner and Lou Spaventa 200779 the present perfect tense can also describe actions or situations that developed in the past and that have continued up to the moment of speaking. Akh. Kardimin, M. Hum 2007 313 explains that Present Perfect Tense is an action or state occurring today and have completed in the same day. Universitas Sumatera Utara Formula = Suject + HaveHas + Verb III + Object Where, Have is used for I, we, they, you Has is used for he, she, it Examples  I have studied.  We have sung together.  She has seen this movie three times. The Usage of Present Perfect Tense There are some usages of the Present Perfect Tense. These are complete list of Present Perfect Forms Unspecified Time Before Now We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. The exact time is not important. You cannot use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was child, when I lived in China, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We can use the Present Perfect Tense with unspecific expression such as ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc. Universitas Sumatera Utara Examples  I have seen that movie twenty times.  Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.  Have you read the book yet?  There have been many earthquakes in Indonesia.  A Has there ever been a war in the United States? B Yes, there has been a war in the United States. The concept of “unspecified time” can be very confusing for us, English learners. It is best to associate Present Perfect with the following explanation a Experience You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, “I have the experience of…” You can also use it to say that you have never had a certain experience. The Present Perfect is not used to describe a specific event. Examples  I have been to France. This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France. Maybe you have been there once or several times.  I have been to France three times. You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.  I have never been to France. This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France. Universitas Sumatera Utara b Change over time We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time. Examples  You have grown since the last time I saw you.  The government has become more interested in arts education.  My English has really improved since I moved to Australia. c Accomplishments We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishment of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time. Examples  Man has walked on the moon.  Our son has learnt how to read.  Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.  Scientists have split the atom d An uncompleted action you are expecting We often use the Present Perfect to say an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen. Examples  James has not finished his homework yet. Universitas Sumatera Utara  Bill has still not arrived.  The rain hasn’t stopped.  Susan hasn’t mastered English, but she can communicate. e Multiple actions at different times We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. The Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible. Examples  I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.  We have had many major problems while working on this project.  The army has attacked that city five times.  She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick. Duration From the Past Until Now Non-Continuous Verbs With Non-Continuous Verbs and non-continuous uses of Mixed Verbs, we use the Present Perfect Tense to show that something is started in the past and has Universitas Sumatera Utara been continued up until now. All durations which can be used with the Present Perfect Tense are “for five minutes”, “for two weeks”, and “since Tuesday”, etc. Examples  She has walked for two hours.  They have stayed in the same house for a week.  Ririn has had a cold for two weeks.  Reni has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.  The woman has taught in the school for twenty years. The Way of Forming Present Perfect Tense Verbal Sentences Verbal sentence is a sentence which is used for explaining an action of being occurred. The action which is happen is most important than its timeline. 1. Positive Sentence In this sentence, the verb is using V-III past partciple and helping verb HasHave. Structure S + HaveHas + V-III + O Examples  I have written a letter to you.  She has seen that film twice.  Rusdi has moved into a new house.  We have read the “Twilight” novel.  The family has eaten lunch. Universitas Sumatera Utara 2. Negative Sentence Structure S + HaveHas + Not + V-III + O Examples  Rinal has not eaten.  They have not done their homework.  Dian has not lived in the same house.  I have not mastered English, but I can communicate.  The rain has not stopped. 3. Interrogative Sentence Structure HaveHas + S + V-III + O Examples  Have we ever gone to Jakarta?  Has she worked hard?  Have you finished your work?  Has Rusdy got my picture?  Have you read the news? 4. Negative Question Structure HaveHas + Not + S + V-III + O Examples  Haven’t the teachers gone to Bali? Universitas Sumatera Utara  Haven’t you taken a pray?  Hasn’t the team given all the best?  Haven’t the students received their reports? 5. Interrogative sentence which is used for asking news. Asking news in positive types Structure WhoWhatWhenWhereHowWhy + HaveHas + S + V-III + O Examples  Where have you put your pen?  How long has she worked hard?  Why has he studied hard?  Who has spoken English well?  What have they eaten?  How much money have you spent? Asking news in negative types Structure WhoWhatWhenWhereHowWhy+ HaveHas +Not +S+V-III+O Examples  When haven’t they spoken Arabic?  What hasn’t he done?  How long hasn’t she studied hard?  Who hasn’t read the novel?  Why haven’t they worked in the office?  Why haven’t you brought a map? Universitas Sumatera Utara 6. Interrogative sentence which the subject is unknown The interrogative sentence which has unknown subject is intended to use WHO for asking person and use WHAT except person. Then, we use Has in positive sentence and Hasn’t in negative sentence although the answer is in plural type. Positive Structure WhoWhat + Has + V-III + O Examples  Who has worked hard?  What has eaten rice? Negative Structure WhoWhat + Has + Not + V-III + O Examples  Who hasn’t played Pingpong well?  What hasn’t worked hard? Nominal Sentences Nominal sentence is used to explain a condition which has happened in the past. 1. Positive Sentence Structure S + HasHave + Been + Non Verb Examples  I have been here for three years. Universitas Sumatera Utara  He has been present on time.  They have been happy. 2. Negative Sentence Structure S + Has Have + Not + Been + Non Verb Example  You have not been there.  She has not been sick.  The woman has not been lazy. 3. Interrogative Sentence Structure Has Have + S + Been + Non Verb Examples  Have they been a pilot last year?  Has Renny been happy with her darling?  Have we been successful people? 4. Negative Question Structure HasHave + Not + S + Been + Non Verb Examples  Hasn’t she been a nurse?  Haven’t you been sick last week? Universitas Sumatera Utara 5. Asking subject which is unknown Structure WhoWhat + Has + Been + Non Verb Example  Who hasn’t been in the class?  What has been at the garden?  Who has been here last night? 6. Interrogative sentence which used for asking news Positive question Structure WhoWhatWhenWhereWhyHow+ HaveHas + S + Been+ Non Verb Examples  Who has she been at present time?  What has it been at the garden?  When have they been with their parents?  Where has she been scholarship?  Why have they been here?  How have you been sick? Negative question Structure Who What When Where Why How + Have Has + Not + S + Been + Non Verb Universitas Sumatera Utara Examples  Who hasn’t she been at present time?  What hasn’t it been at garden?  When haven’t they been with their parents?  Where hasn’t she been persent?  Why haven’t we been here?  How haven’t you been sick? Time Signal The time signals involve the past time and the day now on which can be used in Present Perfect Tense. When we use the Present perfect, it means that something has happened at some point in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time when the action happened is not important. Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do this with expressions such as in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so far, up to now, etc. Examples  Have you been to Mexico in the last year? Universitas Sumatera Utara  I have seen that movie six times in the last month.  They have had three tests in the last week.  She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far.  My car has broken down four times this week. Notice “Last year” and “in the last year” are very different in meaning. “Last year” means the year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. “In the last year” means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it requires Present Perfect. Examples  I went to Mexico last year. I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.  I have been to Mexico in the last year. I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and now. The adverbs already, not ever, just, never, recently, still, and not yet, since are frequently used with the perfect those adverb of time can be used by Present Perfect Tense with some rules, they are 1. Just Just refers to the very recent past. Just comes before the past participle. Universitas Sumatera Utara Example  Anne has just gone out.  I’ve just visited that museum. 2. Recently It is usually come before the past participle or at the end of the sentence. It can be used in all types of sentences. Examples  Recently, they have been on vacation.  They have recently been on vacation.  They have been on vacation recently. 3. Already It can be placed in front or end of past participle V-III and usually used in affirmative sentence positive and question sentence positive, and not with both of negative sentences. Examples  Have you already eaten?  Have you eaten already? To explain which time is faster than it is being expected. Examples  The class always begins at It is only but the lesson has already begun.  The plane has already left the airport. 4. Yet Universitas Sumatera Utara To explain which time is slower than what it is being expected. It is always placed in the end of sentences. It is used in negative and interrogative sentence. Examples  The class begins at It is but the teacher hasn’t come yet.  Has he ported the letter yet?  She hasn’t come yet. 5. For For explains the duration of an occuring action. Examples  They have lived in London for ten years.  My mother has been sick for three days. 6. Since It shows when an action is started. Examples  We have lived in this house since 1990.  I haven’t seen him since last February. 7. Ever Ever must come before the past participle and be used in interrogative sentence. Example  Have you ever read that book? Universitas Sumatera Utara Other examples by focusing on the conversation to state that form, the Present Perfect Tense more clearly 1. A Are you going to finish your work before you go to bed? B I have already finished it. I finished my work two hours ago. 2. A Is Jim going to eat lunch with us today? B No, He has already eaten. He ate lunch an hour ago. 3. A Do you and Erica want to go to the movie at the Bijou with us tonight? B No thanks. We have seen it. We saw it last week. 4. A When are you going to write your paper for Dr. Roth? B I have already written it. I wrote it two days ago. 5. A When is Jane going to call her parents and tell them about her engagement? B She has called them. She called them last night. 6. A This is a good book. Would you like to read it when I’m finished? B Thanks, but I have already read it. Universitas Sumatera Utara Universitas Sumatera Utara CHAPTER III THE PRESENT PERFECT PROGRESSIVE The perfect aspect most often describes events or states taking place during a preceding period time. The progressive aspect describes an event or state of affairs in progress or continuing. Perfect and progressive aspect can be combined with either present or past tense.  Perfect aspect, present tense We have written to Mr. Steven, but he has ignored our letters.  Progressive aspect, present tense Jack is growing his beard out. The Definition of the Present Perfect Progressive The progressive or continuous form of present perfect tense is a construction made up of havehas + been + the-ing present participle form of the main verb. It emphasizes or exaggerates the progressive nature of the action of the verb or the duration of the action throughout the period time. Examples  Ever since I read the book, I have been waiting to meet the author.  She has been living in the same house since she was born.  The speaker has been talking for over two hours. Universitas Sumatera Utara

present perfect tense time signal