ESL Grammar: Present Perfect

Forming the Present Perfect


Affirmative

Subject    +   auxiliary verb   + past participle

Example: She has gone to the movies.


Negative

Subject    +    auxiliary verb    +    not   +    past participle

Example: They have not eaten yet.


Question

Auxiliary verb   +   subject    +    past participle

Example: Have you finished your homework?


Uses of Present Perfect

1. We use the present perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now. I have seen that movie 10 times. I have met her once before. 

2. We often use the present perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time. They have grown since the last time I saw them. The government has spent more money on the military over the past 50 years than any other department. 

3. We often use the present perfect to list the accomplishments of individual people and humanity. Kobe Bryant has won 5 NBA championship rings. Man has walked on the moon. 

4. We often use the present perfect for an uncompleted action that we expect to happen, but has't been completed yet. The present perfect suggests we are waiting for the action to be completed. Maria has not returned from her job yet. I still have not mastered Spanish yet. 

5. The present perfect can talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Possible suggestion that more actions can continue to happen. I have had three tests so far this semester. Khole Kardashian has dated 4 famous people in her life so far. 

Present Perfect Exercises 

Instructions: Fill in the blank with the verb given in the present perfect tense. 

1. I ___ ____(to travel) to many countries in Latin America.
2. They ___ ____(to be) outside all day.
3. We ___ ____ (to walk ) to that movie theater several times.
4. He ___ ____ (to read) the book already.
5. You ____ ____ (to talk) to Megan a lot lately. 

Instructions: Make the sentence negative 

1. I have cheated on Sara before.
2. She has gone to the movies with Rodrigo.
3. We have cried in our apartment several times.

Instructions: Ask your teacher a question with the verbs given in the present perfect tense

1. to travel
2. to drive
3. to drink

Present Perfect Conversation Questions

1. What new English word(s) have you learned so far this month?

2. Who have you travelled with the most?

3. How many times have you seen your favorite film?

4. So far this month , have you talked with anyone from a different nationality than your own? 

5. What is the most exciting thing you have done so far this week?

6. Where have you eaten an American breakfast?