If you find yourself studying English, you have surely noticed that the present perfect is an important verb tense in this language. It can be used in many ways, so becoming familiar with this tense is very easy.

Although this verb tense can be a bit more complicated to learn, here we will teach you everything so that you learn it without problems. You may also be interested in what does wtw mean in texting

Let's start by reviewing the use of the present perfect:

 Describe actions that began in the past and have not yet ended in the present. For instance:

How long has Susan been in Munich ?. → How long has Susana been in Munich ?.

Talk about actions that occurred at different times in the past. For instance:

We have spoken several times, but we still can't reach an agreement. → We have been talking several times, but we still have not reached an agreement.

It is used to talk about actions that have not happened yet, but that we hope will happen. In this case, it is where the adverbs "yet" and "still" are used the most. For instance:

The train hasn't arrived yet. → The train has not arrived yet.

Describe an experience, which took place at a non-specific time. For instance:

I have been to Denmark. → I have been to Denmark.

 Now that you know the uses of the present perfect, let's review the conjugation of verbs in the past participle.

As in the past simple, verbs can be regular or irregular. The difference is that irregular verbs are conjugated in the past participle.

verbs

An important fact is that, as in the past simple, only “-ed”, “d”, or “ied” are added to regular verbs depending on their ending.

Work → Worked

Study → Studied

Walk → Walked

Like → Liked

Talk → Talked

Structure of the present perfect

When writing sentences in English in the present perfect, we must remember that the auxiliary verbs are "has" and "have". The first is used for she, he, or it, and the second for I, we, they, and you.

Affirmative sentences

Basic structure: subject + has / have + verb in past participle

For instance:

I have cooked something special for you. → I have cooked something special for you.

He has finished his work. → He has finished his homework.

 negative sentences

Basic structure: subject + hasn't / haven't + verb in past participle.

For instance:

She hasn't bought her new car yet. → She hasn't bought her new car yet.

We haven't played football since we were children. → We haven't played soccer since we were little.

 Interrogative sentences

Basic structure: Has / Have + subject + verb in past participle +?.

For instance:

Has Sarah finished her homework? → Has Sarah finished her homework?

Where have you been ?. → Where have you been?

How many times have you driven on Manhattan? → How many times have you driven through Manhattan?

 sentences-in-english-present-perfect

A good way to help you learn and remember the different uses of the present perfect is by learning words like ever, never, already, and yet, which are commonly combined with this tense. What do these words mean and how can you use them? Here we explain them to you.

Never (never), is used for affirmative sentences. For example, I have never been to Ireland. → I have never been to Ireland.

Ever (ever). For example: Have you ever drank a margarita ?. → Have you ever had a margarita?

Yet (yet). It is necessary to clarify that this adverb is used only for negative and question sentences. For example, They haven't gone to the theater yet. → They haven't been to the theater yet.

Already (already). This adverb is only used for statements and questions. For example, I have already cooked our dinner. → I've already cooked our dinner. / Has she already finished the lesson ?. → Has she finished the lesson?

 Knowing exactly the uses and adverbs of each verb tense is essential to understand movies, people, books, etc. It will also help you to communicate much more precisely, as you will be able to describe situations that occurred in the past, present, or future.

If you want to get a complete immersion with the language and learn the other verb tenses, then the English course offered by Wall Street English is perfect for you. With our blended method, which combines the use of technology for the development of the lessons and the interaction with our native English teachers, your learning process will be more fun and effective.

 In addition, you can attend our Social Classes and practice your conversational skills, in a totally relaxed atmosphere. These activities are carried out in our center and on special occasions, they take place in bars, in the theater, etc. By attending these Social Classes you will be able to learn to function in English in real-life situations.