Present Perfect Tense: Definition, Structure and Uses

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 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

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.

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

Here are some common mistakes that students make while framing their sentences with the Present Perfect Tense Structure.

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)

In the first sentence, the incident happened recently but in the second sentence, the incident happened last week. According to the Present Perfect Rules, we can’t use “Yesterday”, “Last week” or the previous year.

Also Read:

Present Perfect Tense Example for Practice

Now that you are familiar with the definition, structure, and examples of present perfect tense. It is time to clear your concept through practice. There are multiple tools and resources available online where you can assess your knowledge. An effective practice plan is to make sentences using your own life experiences. This approach will help you prepare for your upcoming proficiency exams. Below, we have mentioned some sentences for you to practice.

Beginner Level

1. We haven't seen that movie yet. (unfinished action)
2. They have bought a new car. (completed action)
3. Have you ever climbed a mountain? (question - lifetime experience)
4. They have written five essays this semester. (achievement)
5. We haven't received any mail this week. (unfinished action)
6. She has visited all seven continents. (achievement)
7. I have eaten too much chocolate! (recent completion)
8. They have climbed Mount Everest. (achievement)
9. I have lost my phone! (completed action)
10. Have you ever seen a shooting star? (question - lifetime experience)

Fill in the Blanks: Beginner-Level

In these 10 Sentences of Present Perfect Tense, you have to fill in Has/Have in one place and the verb in the second place.

1. I ___________ _________lunch in the new restaurant in our city (third form of “EAT”).
2. Rohan_____ ____ the stadium yet but we are going today. (third form of “VISIT”).
3. ________ you ever_______ Shushi? (third form of “EAT”).
4. _______ she _____ football in ground? (third form of “PLAY”).
5. Kamal _____ ______ his keys. (third form of “LOSE”).
6. _______ Rohit ______ the world cup yet? (third form of “WIN”)
7. I _______, _____ my work. (third form of “FINISH”)
8. ______ she _____ football? (third form of “PLAY”)
9. We _____, ______ that movie yet. (third form of "WATCH").
10. He ____, ______ three novels so far. (third form of "WRITE") 

Answers

Present Perfect Tense Examples: Intermediate Level

1. I have woken up early every day this week. (Habit)
2. We have already made breakfast. (Recent Completion)
3. I have just finished reading that book. (Very Recent Action)
4. You have just started learning the Japanese language. (Very Recent Action)
5. She has lived in this city for ten years. (Duration)
6. We have already applied for a Canadian study visa. (Recently Completed)
7. Sonia has felt ill since yesterday. (Continuous Action)
8. I have watched that film before. (Unspecified time/experience)
9. I have known him for years. 

Fill in the Blanks: Intermediate Level

1. We _______ not _______ where to go on vacation yet. (Third form of "Decide")
2. My parents ______ _______ each other. (Third Form of "Know").
3. ____ you ever ______ a bone? (Third Form of "Break")
4. They _____ _____ the lottery! (Third Form of "Win")
5. I ______ just _____ home from work (Third Form of "Arrive")

Answers

Advance Level

1. I have travelled extensively throughout Asia. (Experiences)
2. She has graduated from medical school with top honours. (Achievement)

Fill in the Blanks: Advanced Level

1. I _____ just ______ watching that documentary. (Third Form of "Finish")
2. She _____ never even ______ skydiving. (Third Form of "Try")
3. She ______ not ______ to her family in over a year. (Third Form of "Speak")
4. She _______ ______ you earlier, and I'm sure. (Third Form of "See")
5. We _____ both _________ extensively but to different regions. (Third Form of "Travel")

Answers