The present perfect tense describes recent actions. These actions still impact now. It can be tricky for students. Many make grammar mistakes. Practice the structure regularly. This will help you succeed in exams.
Have plans to appear in the upcoming English Proficiency exams? It is great to have good knowledge of English grammar and tense rules, as it is an advantage to score high in IELTS Exam.
In this blog, we focus on the Present Perfect Tense. We explain this topic completely. We also include many clear examples. These examples show you exactly how to build sentences. The Present Perfect Tense is a key part of B1-level grammar. Mastering it is crucial for your exams.
Present perfect tense describes actions that started in the past. And it is relevant to the present situation. For sentence formation, you can use have/has + past participle of the verb. To discuss experiences, completed actions with present results, and ongoing situations, use the Present Perfect Tense. For example, I have lost my keys (Keys are still missing).
Another example is, "They have lived here for ten years." Their move happened long ago. Yet, their residence continues today. This tense links the past to the now.
- What is Present Perfect Tense?
- Present Perfect Tense Structure
- Use of Present Perfect Tense
- Common Mistakes Students Make in the Present Perfect Tense Sentences
What is Present Perfect Tense?
Present perfect tense is a form of Present tense which is used to represent an action that just happened in the recent past and is still directly related to the present. We have mentioned a definition that will help you to understand more easily.
Present Perfect Tense Definition
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of Present perfect tense is “The tense you use to talk about actions or events that happen in both the past and the present”.
Examples of Present Perfect Tense
- Positive- I have come a long way.
- Negative- I have not come a long way.
- Interrogative- Have I come a long way?
- Interrogative Negative- Haven’t I come a long way?
Present Perfect Tense Structure
Here is sentence structure or formula of Present Perfect Tense.
- S + have or has + past participle + obj
- S + have or has + not + past participle + obj
- Have or has + s + past participle + obj
- Have or has + s + not + past participle + obj
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Use of Present Perfect Tense
Uses of Present Perfect Tense in different situations to inform about an incident that happened in past but still affecting your life in present. We have also mentioned sentences that will help you to learn formation and rules.
| Situations |
Present Perfect Tense Sentences |
|---|---|
| Action Begins in Past but Affects You in Present |
I have completed graduation from Mumbai University. (Studied in Past and Educated today) |
| Action Completed With Undefined Timing |
I have eaten pizza this week. |
| Timing Based |
I have just finished reading that book. |
Importance of Present Perfect Tense in Standardized Exams?
Duolingo English Test, PTE Exam, and TOEFL Exam are some of the well known English proficiency tests. Tests assess your Listening, writing, and speaking skills. Knowledge of Present Perfect Tense structure will help you in sentence formation. In these tests, you may need to explain a life experience that happened in the past. Also, how has it changed your life? There, you need to use the Present perfect tense.
Present Perfect Tense Examples:
- Beginner Level- I have eaten.
- Intermediate Level- I have eaten too much cake.
- Advanced Level- I have eaten too much cake and now I am facing issues.
Common Mistakes Students Make in the Present Perfect Tense Sentences
No Knowledge About Past Participle- Students should avoid this common mistake. They do not use proper verb form and make the sentences incorrect.
- I have gone (Correct).
- I have went there. (Incorrect).
Subject-verb agreement errors- Mostly, students do not know the correct “use of Has and Have”. They use “has” with “I, We, and You.
- Ram has played football in the morning, so he is resting now. (Correct)
- We has played football in the morning, so we are resting now. (Incorrect)
Not Knowing the Difference between Different Forms of Tenses- It looks like a very common mistake but this can lead you to blunders and you can lose your score in the IELTS exam.
- I have just met Rohit Sharma. (Correct)
- I have met Rohit Sharma last week. (Incorrect)
Also Read:
In the IELTS Speaking test there is a face-to-face interview between the test taker and the examiner. The Speaking test includes 3 parts which are mentioned above. Here, candidates are assessed on the following parameters:
- Grammar
- Pronunciation
- Lexical resource
- Fluency
The Speaking test is recorded and marked based on the applicant's performance. Applicants should be careful how they attempt this section.
The IELTS exam is a test to prove your English level for study abroad or work. Countries like UK, Canada, and Australia need this proof for your student visa. Without this score, the embassy thinks you cannot manage there.
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
The total test time for IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes.