Present Perfect Tense

Present Perfect

When using present perfect, you will bring together the present tense of an auxiliary verb and the past participle of the verb. We use present perfect as a way to describe an action that has taken place at a time that is not specified. When the exact time is unimportant, the present perfect tense is the best tense to use because it can refer to it still continuing as well. Be careful though because you do not want to use it with expressions that make the time frame clear like, yesterday, tomorrow, last week, when I was a child. These all indicate a particular and specific time period.

You can use present perfect when you refer to times that are unclear such as: many, several times, never, before, or already. Any expression that leaves the exact time up for debate and describes an action that takes place sometime in the past is just fine.

Looking at examples will help you visualize exactly how to recognize the present perfect tense.

• I have eaten in that restaurant many times.
• Many students have traveled to Washington, D.C. while in middle school.
• Have I walked on this path before?
• She has visited the Museum of Fine Arts several times.

Present Perfect Functions

In order to really understand how to use present perfect, you can break the use down into topics based on the way it can be used. Let's look at those so it will make it easier for you to understand how to use present perfect.

Life Experience

Keep in mind that present perfect is not used to describe a specific event. In the case of experience, the present perfect will allow you to indicate that you have had or have not had an experience. Using present perfect tense will help you describe your experience more fully and completely. Check out these examples.

I have been to New York City.

In this example, we know that you have traveled to NYC, but we don't know if you have been there once or twenty times.

I have never traveled to New York City.

In this example, we know that you have never experienced NYC.

The goal here is to show the reader what you have experienced but to make it clear that you are talking in general terms when it comes to the time frame. All you are saying is that you have experienced something.

Change over Time

Another way we use present perfect tense is to show the reader change over time.

• My Spanish has improved since my teacher stopped speaking in English.
• The baby has become more interested in his feet than he was before.
• My hometown has changed in the years I have been gone.

Accomplishments

We use present perfect tense to describe the accomplishments people have had. Don't forget you can't mention a time.

• Mary has learned how to ride a horse.
• Thomas has walked hundreds of miles for charity.
• Jackie was voted top student in her class.

Time Period Has Not Finished

We can use present perfect to demonstrate an uncompleted action that we expected to take place. We use present perfect to show that we are still waiting for the action to take place; we have not given up on the idea that it will happen.

• She has not finished her degree yet.
• Samantha still wasn't ready to take the test even though she had studied.
• So far, Pearl hasn't perfected her volleyball serve.

Actions Started and Continuing

We can use present perfect to show that there is an action that started in the past, but is continuing on into the present. Once again, it is important to remember that the time period is not specific.

• She has worked as a waitress since she was in college.
• We have lived in the same house for twenty-five years.
• Have you played hockey since you were small?

The present perfect tense indicates that action has taken place sometime in the past, but we don't know exactly when. It can be used to describe a number of functions, but all show us some action from the past.