I've studied the vocabulary, but I haven't finished my grammar homework yet.
Present Perfect Simple
have or has + past participle
As we studied in Unit Two and Three with the passive voice, the past participle form of regular verbs is ...ed:
- called
- looked
- talked
- played
- studied
- worked
- washed
Use this list to find the past participle of irregular verbs.
Use this list to find the past participle of irregular verbs.
Positive & Negative Sentences
| I You We They |
have / 've have not / haven't |
met restored been |
Peter. a classic car. to Thailand. |
| He She It |
has / 's has not / hasn't |
Questions & Short Answers
| Have | I You We They |
met restored been |
Peter? a classic car? to Thailand? |
| Has | He She It |
- Have you warmed up the engine?
- Yes, I have.
- No, I haven't.
- Has Chris arrived?
- Yes, he has.
- No, he hasn't.
- Has it stopped raining?
- Yes, it has.
- No, it hasn't.
Use
Past → Present
The Present Perfect Simple is used to describe a past action that has a result in the present:
Example One
Example Two
Example Three
Already & Yet
Already = before the expected time
It's only 11 o'clock, but we've already assisted three customers at the auto shop.
A: Hello, Mrs.Smith. It's Rick. Is James there?
B: Hi, Rick. Sorry but James has already gone to bed.
I can't believe you've already finished your English homework. It's so difficult!
Yet = until now
It is used mainly at the end of questions and negative sentences:
Have we found all the screws yet?
Has the movie started yet?
The sun hasn't set yet.
Class hasn't finished yet.
Until Now
We often use the Present Perfect Simple when we talk about a time from the past until now. The time is not finished.
Examples of Unfinished Past Times:
- my life
- today
- this week
- this year
- this month
I haven't talked to Jane today.
His vehicle has stalled six times.
(in his life)
I've already had my birthday this year.
Ever & Never
When we talk about life experience, it is popular to use ever in questions:
Have you ever tried racing?
Have you ever been to Singapore?
Never = I don't have the experience.
I'm nervous because I've never flown in an airplane.
I can't believe you've never driven a sports car!
Been & Gone
For the past participle of go, English speakers use both gone and been.
Gone = the person is there now
A: Do you know where Matt is?
B: I think he's gone to the bathroom.
I am taking care of Shelly's apartment. She's gone to Hawaii.
Been = the person went, but now he or she is back
A: Do you need to go to the washroom before we go?
B: No thanks. I've already been to the washroom.
Have you ever been to McGuiness Park? It's quite nice.
Exercise
Open the exercise to begin the activity. Follow the instructions in the document.