The present perfect is a complete rule. Formation and use of Present Perfect in English

One of the most common difficulties of the English language for a Russian speaker is the difference Present Perfect and . Is it really that important? Is there any difference between the following sentences?

Ivan Taraskin was born in 1970.
Ivan Taraskin went to school in 1976.
Ivan Taraskin was in London 3 times.

Born, went, was All three verbs are in the past tense. Therefore, I will use Past Simple for all 3 sentences and at first I will be outraged when they tell me that in English they will sound like this.

Ivan Taraskin was born in 1970. (Past Simple)
Ivan Taraskin went to school in 1976. (Past Simple)
Ivan Taraskin has been to London 3 times.

Imagine if you said:

Ivan Taraskin went to London 3 times

This mistake would have cost him his life! Why? Yes, because in English language The past tense is used when an action can no longer be repeated in a specified period of time. And in our case, it cannot be repeated only if the person is no longer in the world.

Ivan Taraskin has been to London 3 times (so far he has been to London 3 times and may go there again)
Ivan Taraskin went to London 3 times (can't go there anymore)

When you want to say that you have watched (at the time of speaking) 4000 films, ate 50 kg of chocolate or met 100 people, you need to use the Present Perfect, that is, have / has (for he / she / it) + 3 form of the verb.

The present completed tense is a stumbling block for many English learners. Firstly, because it is not as transparent and understandable as or . Indeed: simple time -, single, regular simple actions; extended time - extended, long actions. But the completed time is by no means always a finished action. Therefore, this is the not uncommon case when you just need to memorize cases of using time.

Secondly, time itself is called PRESENT completed, and it denotes actions in the PAST.

And third, between present perfect and there is a very thin line, and it must also be observed.

So, let's analyze each of these three contradictions separately.

1. What activities do we call completed? These actions must be in the past, completed recently, just now, etc. That is, those actions that are relatively close to the present time. That is why it is called so - PRESENT completed, because it has a connection with the present and must be completed by now.

2. As we have just agreed, the present completed tense is called so because it denotes actions in the past, in one way or another connected with the PRESENT tense:

These actions can have a tangible result or proof in the present tense: Anna has graduated from university. (Anna graduated from the university. The result - now Anna has a diploma, you can touch it, for example).

This action is news new information that you tell someone: The police have caught the thief. (The police caught the thief. This is news).

I have prepared for the seminar in biology. (I prepared for a seminar on biology. The result is that now I have some information on biology in my head, you can hear it).
The grandfather has painted the roof. (Grandfather painted the roof. The result is the roof is now a different color, you can see it).
Jack has finally got his driver's license! (Jack finally got the rights! This is new information that you tell a friend, colleague, etc.)

3. What's the difference between Past simple and present perfect if both these tenses convey actions in the past? Schematically Past simple can be depicted like this:

Now let's see how the action is located in time space in present perfect.

See the difference? Actions in the present completed - only those that are sooooo close to the present moment in time, have a connection with it and ARE NOT SIGNED WITH A CERTAIN TIME.

What is the structure present perfect ? In this tense we have an auxiliary verb - have . This means that after the pronouns he/she/it it changes to has . The main the verb goes with the end -ed (if it is correct), or in the third form / participle form (if it is). So it’s not in vain that our impressive list is still learning. regular verbs! Consider the examples first with the correct verb:

Grandpa painted the roof. - The grandfather has painted the roof.
Grandpa didn't paint the roof. - The grandfather has not painted the roof. - The grandfather hasn't painted the roof.
Grandpa painted the roof? Has the grandfather painted the roof? - Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.

And now with the wrong one:

We bought a car (this is news). - We have bought a car.
We didn't buy a car. - We have not bought a car. - We haven't bought a car.
Have you bought a car? - Have you bought a car? - Yes, we have. / No, we haven't.

Complete the exercise to reinforce the material.

Present perfect (Present Perfect)- time English verbs, which connects the past with the present - the present complete tense. This is where some confusion begins for a Russian person. There is no such tense in our language.

How to use Present Perfect

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

A clear link between the past and the present. Place Present Perfect

Rules for constructing a present perfect (Present Perfect)

Auxiliary have/has + Past Participle. Instead of the full form have/has very often the British use the abbreviated (contracted) option ‘ve /’s - I’ve been there, She’s been there.

Pay special attention to abbreviations she has=she's, he has = he's - here it is important not to confuse with another form - she is, he is, which in the abbreviated version looks and sounds exactly the same. Can be distinguished by application Past Participle after she has,he has, as well as out of context.

Table of Education Present Perfect (Present Perfect)

Present Perfect means: before present moment, no matter when specifically. If there were a specific time, 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 usually took place recently:

We 've lost our key. (We haven't got it now) - We lost our key (now we don't have it) 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 has a baby! I 've ruined the meal. It's burnt. — I ruined the food. She burned out. 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 indefinite adverbs that help remember the acronym JEANY

Here it is necessary to pay attention to the fact that these adverbs are placed before Past Participle Besides YET, which is placed 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 doctor 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 started in the past and is still going on.

Often used in this 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 a teacher since 2010 How long has she known him? How long has she known him?

3. To express the experience that we once gained in life.

The action was committed in the past and has already been completed, but the effect of it remains. Again, it does not matter when this action was performed, the time is not specified, otherwise you need to apply paste simpl(Past Simple).

He ‘s written a book - He wrote a book Have you ever had an operation? - Have you ever had an operation? 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

The concept of the present tense in English does not always coincide with ours. One of the most clear examples such a difference is just the Present Perfect.

In this article, we will understand what the Present Perfect is, how it is formed, in what cases it is used, what rules it obeys, and we will consolidate knowledge on real examples of sentences with translation.

What is Present Perfect Tense?

present Perfect Tense(Present Perfect) is the present perfect tense in English. It denotes an action that has completed at the present time.

This is the main difficulty of Present Perfect time for students. In Russian, there is no time similar to Present Perfect. For us, if something is happening now, this is the present, and if it has happened, this is already the past.

But not for the British. They perceive time a little differently. According to the logic of native speakers, the action may well end in the present or close to the present moment. To express such a connection between the past and the present, the Present Perfect exists.

Because of these features in the understanding of actions and time - in Russian present language Perfect is usually translated as a verb in the past tense.

I have already done my homework - I have already done my homework

This example uses present time Perfect (have done), because we are talking about the fact that the action (work on homework) ended quite recently.

But we translate the sentence into Russian using the past tense (already done).

How is the Present Perfect formed?

The Present Perfect tense is formed using the auxiliary verb have / has and Past Participle (the third form of the semantic verb: V3).

The auxiliary verb changes depending on the subject:

I / You / We / They → have (for 1st, 2nd person and plural forms)
She / He / It → has (for 3rd person singular)

The construction of the Present Perfect tense is completed by a semantic verb in the third form (V3).

If the semantic verb is of the correct form, then its third form (V3) is formed using the ending -ed.

If the semantic verb is irregular, then we take its third form (V3) from the table of irregular verbs.

For example:

to try → tried (try) to cook → cooked (cook) to finish → finished (finish)
to get → got (to receive) to keep → kept (to store) to see → seen (to see)

Statement:

An affirmative sentence in the Present Perfect is formed using the auxiliary verb have / has and the semantic verb with ending -ed for regular verbs or third form irregular verb(V3) according to the formula:

I / You / We / They + have + Ved (V3)
She / He / It + has + Ved (V3)

I have decided - I decided

You have played - You played

He has done - He did

It has turned on - It turned on

In offers and everyday speech you can often find the abbreviated form of the auxiliary verbs have / has. It is formed by adding ‘ve (for have) or ‘s (for has) to the subject:

I have = I've
You have = You've
We have = We've
They have = They've

She has = She's
He has = He's
It has = It's

I've done my tasks - I completed my tasks

He's washed the dishes - He washed the dishes

Negation:

Negative sentences in the Present Perfect are formed by adding the particle not after the auxiliary verb have / has, but before the main one semantic verb. The formula looks like this:

I / You / We / They + have not + Ved (V3)
She / He / It + has not + Ved (V3)

I have not done my homework - I didn't do my homework

They have not come - They did not come

She has not finished her tasks - She did not complete her tasks

It has not turned on - It has not turned on

In negation, the particle not can be shortened by attaching it to the auxiliary verb have / has:

Have not = haven't
Has not = hasn't

I haven't washed my hair - I haven't washed my hair

She hasn't been to London yet - She hasn't been to London yet

Question:

An interrogative sentence in the Present Perfect is formed by placing the auxiliary verb have / has at the beginning of the sentence. The formula will be:

Have + I / You / We / They + Ved (V3)
Has + She / He / It + Ved (V3)

Have I bought all the presents? - I bought all the gifts?

Have you finished the classes? - Have you finished your classes?

Has she just arrived home? - Did she just come home?

Has it turned on? - Did it turn on?

Special questions are formed using question words ( question words). Such as when (when), how (how), what (what), where (where) and others. The following is the same word order as in the question.

QW + have + I / You / We / They + Ved (V3)
QW + has + She / He / It + Ved (V3)

What has he just said? - What did he just say?

How long have you been knocked on the door? How long have you been knocking on the door?

When is the Present Perfect used?

And now let's look at the most common cases of using and using the Present Perfect tense in speech:

Completed action in the present

In this case, the focus is on the result of the completed action. In other words, when the result of an action is visible in the present.

I have cooked a good dinner - I cooked a good dinner (the action is completed, the result is a good dinner)

I know Nina. We have already met - I know Nina. We have already met (the meeting took place in the past, but we are interested in the result in the present)

Incomplete action in the present

The Present Perfect tense is used when we describe an action that started in the past, has not yet ended in the present, but the result is obvious.

I’ve written five pages of the new book this morning - I wrote five pages of a new book this morning (the morning is not over yet, he can write a few more pages)

She has finished watching “Harry Potter” this week - She has finished watching “Harry Potter” this week

Fact of action / personal experience

If it is important for the speaker to emphasize the fact of some accomplished event without an exact indication of the time, the Present Perfect also comes to the rescue. Often this tense is used when we talk about our past experience or when we ask our interlocutor about it.

I have been to Bratislava - I have been (been) to Bratislava

In a question, when we are interested in a fact from someone's life, we also use the Present Perfect:

Have you ever been to France? - Have you ever been to France?

Time Markers Present Perfect

Present Perfect is used with imprecise expressions and words that indicate a period of time that has not yet ended.

never (never)
ever (ever)
already (already)
yet (yet) / not yet (not yet)
often (often)
lately (at recent times)
just (just now)
once (once)
recently (recently)
before (before)
today (today)
this week (this week)
this year (this year)
for an hour (within an hour)
for a long time ( for a long time)
since two o'clock - from two o'clock
ince December - from December

Examples of Present Perfect sentences with translation

Affirmative:

I’ve studied English since my childhood - I have studied English since childhood

She has visited this beauty shop recently

People have walked on the Moon - People have walked on the moon.

We've just eaten, so we don't want to go to the cafe - We just ate, so we don't want to go to the cafe

I have just cut my finger - I just cut my finger

Negative:

He has not returned from school yet - He has not returned from school yet

I haven't bought the new car. This is my old one - I didn't buy a new car. It's old

Jane hasn't been to Asia yet - Jane hasn't been to Asia yet

I have not been at university this week because of the flu

I haven't replaced the batteries in the doorbell - I haven't replaced the batteries in the doorbell

Interrogative:

Have you seen this film about space? - Have you seen this film about space?

Has Jimmy bought the tickets yet? - Has Jimmy bought the tickets yet?

How many deals has she made at the moment? How many deals has she made so far?

How much coffee have you drunk today? - How much coffee did you drink today?

How long have you known Mary? How long have you known Mary?

The present completed tense in English is called Present Perfect. This form of the verb denotes an action that happened in the past, but is relevant to the present. This is one of the most complex shapes verb, since on the one hand the action has already ended and is translated into Russian in the past tense. But, on the other hand, it is associated with the present and in English it refers to the present tense. There is some duality. Let's first look at how this form of the verb is formed.

FormationpresentPerfect

AT Education Present Perfect takes part the auxiliary verb to have in the present tense and the third form of the main verb (infinitive + ending - ed - for regular verbs). Let's look at examples of the formation of this time.

affirmative proposals.

AT interrogative sentence The auxiliary verb have is placed before the subject.

Interrogative sentences.

In negative sentences particle not placed after the verb have.

negative suggestions.

The verbs have and has are usually abbreviated:

I have = I've	We have = we've
You have = you've	You have = you've
He has = he's She has = she's It has = it's	They have = they've

The negative form is also reduced:

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

ApplicationpresentPerfect

1. To express an action that has already ended by the time of speaking. At the same time, adverbs of indefinite time are often used in the sentence: just - just now, ever - ever, already - already, yet - still, never – never, lately - recently, etc.

He hasn't listened to the latest news yet.
He hasn't heard the latest news yet.

He's already finished his work.
He has already finished his work.

2. If the action has already ended, but the period of time to which it refers is still ongoing, for example: today - today, this month - this month, this summer - this summer (if it is still summer).

She's written two letters today.
She wrote two letters today.

I've seen him this week.
I saw him this week.

3. If the action took place in the past, but its result is felt at the moment of speech in the form of acquired experience or knowledge:

He's read this book.
He has read this book. (He knows its contents).

My sister has translated four English books into Russian.
My sister translated four English books into Russian. (Now they can be read in Russian).

4. If an action that started in the past is still going on. At the same time, the preposition for is often found in the sentence - during, denoting an unfinished period of time. Or the preposition since - since.

I've known this man for years.
I have known this man for many years. (I knew before the conversation and I know now).

I haven't met him since 2000.
I haven't met him since 2000. (I have not met since 2000, and now too).

5. The Present Perfect is often used to start a conversation. Or at the beginning of a news review. If the conversation continues on the topic already mentioned, then it goes with the use of Past Simple.

"You look brown, have you been away?"- You're on fire. Have you traveled anywhere?
"Yes, I've been to the South." Yes, I've been to the south.
"Did you have a good time?" – Did you have a good time there?
"Yes, I had a very good time." Yes, I had a wonderful time.

It should be emphasized that the Present Perfect is not used if there is an exact indication of the time in the past, or it is clear from the context, and this period of time has already ended. Because the connection with the present moment is broken. In this case, the Past Simple tense is used.

At first glance, everything seems very confusing and complicated. But experience and conversational practice will help you understand these tenses and forms of verbs. Over time, you will automatically apply the correct tense without thinking about grammar rules. So it's time to start speaking practice on the Zello channel "English - speak freely!" We are waiting for you on the air.

English grammar is often confusing. But a dead end does not mean hopelessness: you can always return to starting point and start again. A clear explanation of the rules for the formation and use of time Present Perfect Simple- one of the most difficult grammar sections in English for children in grade 5 - they will help you choose the right direction and avoid deadlocks.

General information

Before proceeding to an explanation of the basic rules and nuances of using Present Perfect, it is necessary to understand how this temporary form is translated into Russian and what it means: its basic differences from other times. Present Perfect Tense is the Present Perfect tense used to describe completed, completed actions that are directly related to the present, the result of these actions affects the present. The main impulse to use the considered temporary form is marker words indicating the uncertainty of time. This is in short. Now more on each item: how to understand what time and how to use it.

Education

Basic rules for the formation of affirmative, interrogative forms, as well as negations are presented in the following table. With its help, you can understand how the Present Perfect formula is formed and how it “works” in practice.

Present perfect tense

Present Perfect tense

Subjects + have/has + main verb + -ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

I have visited - I visited

You have visited - you visited

He (she, it) has visited - he (she, it) visited

We have visited - we visited

You have visited - you visited

They have visited - they visited

Subjects + have/has + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

I have done - I did

You have done - you did

He (she, it) has done - he (she, it) did

We have done - we did

You have done - you did

They have done - they did

Subjects + have/has + not + main verb + ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

I have not visited - I have not visited

You have not visited - you have not visited

He (she, it) has not visited - he (she, it) did not visit

We have not visited - we have not visited

You have not visited - you have not visited

They have not visited - they did not visit

Subjects + have/has + not + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

I have not done - I did not

You have not done - you didn't do

He (she, it) has not done - he (she, it) did not

We have not done - we did not

You have not done - you didn't

They have not done - they did not

Have/has + subject + main verb + ed (3rd form of regular verbs)

Have I visited? - I was visiting?

Have you visited? - did you visit?

Has he (she, it) visited? - did he (she, it) attend?

Have we visited? - We visited?

Have you visited? - have you visited?

Have they visited? – did they visit?

Have/has + subject + main verb in 3rd form (irregular verbs)

Have I done? - I was doing?

Have you done? - you did?

Has he (she, it) done - did he (she, it) do?

Have we done? - we did?

Have you done? - you did?

Have they done? - they did?

Use

Time Present Perfect Simple takes in English grammar special place.

There are no analogues of Present Perfect Simple in Russian.

Therefore, it is necessary to understand and remember in which cases this time is used:

Companion words

Present Perfect time usually does not do without the help of its satellites - temporary indicators that indicate that the action began in the past and ended not so long ago:

Never- never (I have never been to England - I have never been to England);
Ever- ever (Have you ever read a detective story? - Have you ever read a detective story?);
Already- already (She has already finished her work - She has already completed the work);
Just- exactly, just, only (He has just called him up - He just called him);
Before- before, before (We have heard this strange story before - We heard this strange story before);
Not…yet- not yet, still not (My mother has not heard news yet - My mother has not heard the news yet);
Lately- recently, long ago, recently (She has lately read many books - She has recently read many books);
so far- at this hour, by now, up to this point, already (Her temper has so far been good - Her mood has still been good);
Of late- recently, lately, recently (This wonderful trip has been my dream of late - This wonderful trip has been my dream lately);
By now- by now (He has confessed by now - He confessed at the moment);
Recently- recently, recently (She has not had any difficulties recently - She has not had any difficulties lately);
Up to now- until now, until now (She has not believed people up to now - She did not believe people until now);
By now- by now (It always takes 5 minutes to get home after By now I have always been at home at 5 o’clock - It always takes 5 minutes to get home after work. By now I have always been at home at 5 o’clock).

In English, double negation in a sentence is excluded. Therefore, the adverb never (never) is used in affirmative proposal. The adverb yet (still) is placed at the end of interrogative or negative sentences. It is not used in affirmative.

What have we learned?

We got acquainted with the Present Perfect tense - Present Perfect. We considered the basic rules of education, signs and cases of using this time. This abstract on the topic "Present Perfect Tense" gives a clear explanation, and is an excellent guide for dummies, that is, for beginners to learn English, and for advanced learners.

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