English — Grammar: Present Perfect Tense — Formation and Uses — 2nd Year Middle School — Algerian Curriculum

Present Perfect Tense: Formation and Uses

The Present Perfect tense connects the past with the present. It is used to talk about past actions that have relevance to the present moment.

Formation

Affirmative: Subject + have/has + past participle (V3)
Negative: Subject + have/has + not + past participle (V3)
Question: Have/Has + subject + past participle (V3)?

Examples:
– I have visited Paris. ✓
– She has not finished her homework. ✗
– Have you ever seen the ocean ? ?

Uses of the Present Perfect

1. Life experiences: “I have travelled to London.”
2. Recent actions: “She has just arrived.”
3. Past actions with present results: “He has broken his leg (so he can”t walk).”
4. Unfinished actions (with for/since): “I have lived here for five years.”

Signal Words

ever, never, just, already, yet, for, since, recently, so far, up to now.

Note: “Since” is used with a specific point in time (since 2020, since Monday). “For” is used with a duration (for two hours, for a week).

Exercises

1. Complete with the present perfect: She ___ (visit) France three times. I ___ (not eat) anything today.
2. Make questions: (you / ever / see) a whale ?
3. Write 3 sentences about your experiences using the present perfect.
4. Choose for/since: I haven”t seen him ___ 2019. / We have lived here ___ six years.

Check also Past Simple Tense and Present Continuous Tense.