Present Perfect Tense
Connect the past to now — something that has already happened.
It happened before — and it still matters now.
Mission brief
Connect the past to right now
Present perfect links a past action to this moment. The exact past time is usually not the point — the connection to now is.
By the end of this mission, you will be able to form it, choose have or has, use past participles, and tell it apart from the simple past.
Big idea
Past connected to now
Still connected to now
I have finished my homework.
The work is done, so I am free right now.
She has visited Japan.
It is part of her life experience — we are not saying when.
They have arrived.
They are here now, and it happened only a moment ago.
He has lost his phone.
He still does not have it — that is why it matters.
How it works
Basic formula
I have eaten. · She has gone home. · They have finished.
Watch out: you need both parts — the helping verb have or has, and the past participle of the main verb.
Control panel
Choose have or has
have
I have finished.
We have finished.
has
She has finished.
It has stopped.
Verb transformation
Past participle forms
For regular verbs, the past participle looks exactly like the simple past form: just add -ed.
Irregular participles change form and simply need to be learned. Many of them are different from the simple past — go became went, but the participle is gone.
- gogone
- bebeen
- eateaten
- seeseen
- dodone
- makemade
- writewritten
- taketaken
- buybought
- havehad
He has gone to Japan.
He went and he is still there, or still on the way.
He has been to Japan.
He went there at some point and has already come back.
See it in action
Finished action with a result now
I have lost my key.
I cannot open the door now.
I have broken my glasses.
I cannot see clearly with them now.
I have finished my homework.
I am free now.
Past action → result now
The action is finished, but its result still matters now.
Time words
Since and for
A starting point
since Monday · since 2020 · since morning
Answers: when did it start?
A length of time
for two hours · for three years · for a long time
Answers: how long has it lasted?
I have lived here since 2020. · I have lived here for three years.
Signal words
Already, yet, and just
already
Something happened before now, or sooner than expected.
I have already eaten.
yet
Used when something is still expected to happen.
Have you finished yet? · I haven't finished yet.
just
It happened only a moment ago.
I have just finished my homework.
Word order: already and just go between have/has and the participle. Yet goes at the end of the sentence.
See it in action
Life experiences
Use the present perfect for things someone has experienced at some point in their life, when the exact time is not important.
I have visited Penang.
Visiting Penang is part of my life experience.
I have ridden a horse.
It is something I have experienced before.
I have tried a new local dish.
I know what this kind of food tastes like now.
I have watched a movie at the cinema.
It is one of the experiences I have had.
Signal words
Ever and never
Asking about a whole life
Have you ever visited Sabah?
Have you ever ridden a horse?
Not once, at any time
I have never ridden a horse.
Never is already negative — do not add not.
The other main use
A situation that continues until now
Some states and situations began in the past and are still true now. The present perfect shows that stretch of time.
I have known Amir for five years.
We met five years ago and we are still friends.
She has lived here since 2022.
She moved in 2022 and she still lives here.
We have studied English for many years.
The studying started long ago and has not stopped.
Not every sentence continues
This use is for states and situations that carry on. I have lost my key is finished — only its result continues.
Negative structures
Add not after have or has
I have not finished.
You can also say: I haven't finished.
She has not arrived.
You can also say: She hasn't arrived.
They have not eaten.
You can also say: They haven't eaten.
Question structures
Move have or has before the subject
Have you finished?
Yes, I have. · No, I haven't.
Has she arrived?
Yes, she has. · No, she hasn't.
Have they eaten?
Yes, they have. · No, they haven't.
Compare it
Simple Past vs Present Perfect
I visited Penang last year.
last year · specific finished time
I have visited Penang.
no time stated · a life experience
Important warning
Finished past times do not fit
Remember: the present perfect normally does not go with a finished past-time expression such as yesterday, last week, last year, or in 2023.
Keeping the present perfect? Drop the finished time: I have visited Penang before.
Common mistakes
Error detector
She have finished.
I has eaten.
He has went home.
I have seen him yesterday.
She has lived here since three years.
Real-life English
Asking about an experience
Aiman Have you ever been to Penang?
Sara Yes, I have.
Aiman When did you go?
Sara I went there last year.
Asks about the experience
Have you ever been to Penang?
no time — just: has it ever happened?
Asks for the specific detail
When did you go? I went there last year.
once the time is named, switch to the simple past
Test yourself
Quick check
Revision map
Mission summary
Present perfect
past connected to now
Formula
subject + have / has + past participle
Have
I / you / we / they
Has
he / she / it
Common uses
result now · life experience · recent action · continuing situation
Common words
ever · never · just · already · yet · for · since
Exam strategy
Exam booster
Check whether an exact finished past time is stated.
If last year, yesterday, or a similar clue appears, the simple past is usually needed.
Choose have or has correctly for the subject.
Use the past participle, not the simple past form.
Learn the common irregular participles by heart.
For = duration, such as for three years.
Since = starting point, such as since 2022.
Worked example: “She ___ already ___ her homework.” The subject is she, so the helping verb is has; the past participle of finish is finished. Answer: She has already finished her homework.
Mission review point
Present Perfect complete
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