Everything you need to understand, use and master the present perfect in English, explained clearly, with real examples, exercises, exam practice and the mistakes almost every learner makes at least once.
📖 Reading time: ~28 minutes✅ Reviewed by a CELTA-qualified teacher🎯 Covers A2 to C1
The present perfect is one of the most useful, and most misunderstood, tenses in English. It is formed with have/has + past participle (for example, have finished, has seen, have been), and it is used to talk about actions and states that connect the past to the present moment.
If that sounds slightly abstract, that is because the present perfect genuinely is a little different from how many other languages handle time. Many learners, particularly those whose first language does not have an equivalent structure, find this tense one of the hardest to master, not because the grammar rule itself is complicated, but because choosing when to use it (rather than the past simple) requires a feel for how English speakers think about time.
This guide will give you that feel. We will explain the rule clearly, show you every common use of the present perfect with real examples, compare it directly with the past simple (the tense it is most often confused with), and give you genuine practice, exercises, a mini quiz, reading, listening and speaking tasks, so that by the end you are not just able to recite the rule, but able to use the present perfect naturally and correctly.
Why Does the Present Perfect Matter?
The present perfect appears constantly in everyday English, in conversations, in the news, in emails, in exams. Native English speakers use it dozens of times a day without thinking about it. If you are learning English for work, travel, study or a UK visa application, you will encounter this tense in almost every context:
At work: "I've finished the report." "Have you spoken to the client yet?"
Travelling: "Have you ever been to Japan?" "I've already booked the hotel."
News and media: "The government has announced new measures." "Scientists have discovered..."
Exams: The present perfect appears in every major English exam, from Cambridge A2 Key right through to IELTS and the SELT.
Who Uses the Present Perfect, and When?
Every English speaker uses the present perfect, in every register from casual conversation to formal writing. It is used by:
Native speakers, constantly and instinctively, often without realising they are using a specific tense at all.
Professionals, in emails and meetings, to talk about completed work, recent changes and experience ("I've worked in marketing for ten years").
Journalists, to introduce news stories with a present-perfect headline before giving past-simple details.
Examiners, who specifically test this tense at every level from elementary to advanced because it is genuinely difficult to use accurately.
Who Should Learn This Page?
This guide is written for English learners from A2 (elementary) through to C1 (advanced). If you are a complete beginner (A1), focus first on the present simple and past simple, you will need those before this page makes much sense. If you are already comfortable with the basic present perfect but want to refine your accuracy for an exam (Cambridge, IELTS, SELT) or for professional English, the later sections of this guide, particularly the comparisons, common mistakes and advanced usage sections, are written specifically for you.
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How to use this guide
This page is long because it is meant to be a genuine reference, not something you read once, but something you come back to. Use the table of contents above to jump straight to what you need: a quick grammar check, exercises for practice, or exam-specific guidance.
2. Quick Summary
⚡ Present Perfect at a Glance
DefinitionA tense that connects a past action or state to the present moment.
StructureSubject + have/has + past participle
Typical UsesLife experience, recent news, unfinished time periods, results visible now
Example"I have visited Paris three times."
Common MistakeUsing a specific past time word (yesterday, in 2020) with the present perfect
Memory TipIf you can add "and that's still relevant now" to the sentence, present perfect is probably correct.
3. The Grammar Rule
The present perfect is formed with two parts: the auxiliary verb have (or has for third-person singular: he, she, it) and the past participle of the main verb.
Subject
Auxiliary
Past Participle
Full Sentence
I / You / We / They
have
finished
I have finished my homework.
He / She / It
has
finished
She has finished her homework.
Regular past participles are formed the same way as the past simple, by adding -ed to the verb (work → worked, play → played). Irregular past participles must be learned individually, because they do not follow a predictable pattern (go → gone, see → seen, eat → eaten, write → written).
Base Form
Past Simple
Past Participle
Regular or Irregular?
work
worked
worked
Regular
study
studied
studied
Regular
go
went
gone
Irregular
see
saw
seen
Irregular
be
was/were
been
Irregular
eat
ate
eaten
Irregular
write
wrote
written
Irregular
take
took
taken
Irregular
break
broke
broken
Irregular
buy
bought
bought
Irregular
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Why this rule exists
English uses "have" as the auxiliary because historically it expressed possession of a completed state, "I have [as a current possession] the experience of finishing this." Over centuries this grammaticalised into the present perfect tense we use today. You do not need to remember this history, but it explains why the present perfect always uses "have/has" and never "be" (except in a small number of fixed expressions in very old-fashioned English, such as "the die is cast").
Important Exception: Irregular Verbs Must Be Memorised
There is no shortcut for irregular past participles, they simply have to be learned. The good news is that the most common English verbs follow only a limited number of patterns, and once you have learned the 50–60 most frequent irregular verbs, you will recognise the patterns in less common ones too.
4. Sentence Structure
The present perfect follows the standard English auxiliary-verb pattern: the auxiliary (have/has) moves to form negatives and questions, while the main verb (the past participle) never changes form.
Form
Structure
Example
Positive
Subject + have/has + past participle
I have finished the report.
Negative
Subject + have/has + not + past participle
I have not finished the report.
Question
Have/Has + subject + past participle?
Have you finished the report?
Short Answer (yes)
Yes, subject + have/has.
Yes, I have.
Short Answer (no)
No, subject + haven't/hasn't.
No, I haven't.
Contraction (positive)
've / 's
I've finished. She's finished.
Contraction (negative)
haven't / hasn't
I haven't finished. She hasn't finished.
Formal vs Informal Sentence Examples
Register
Example
Very formal (written)
The company has reported a significant increase in revenue this quarter.
Neutral / professional
I have completed the project ahead of schedule.
Informal / spoken
I've finished the project, it was easier than I thought!
Very informal
Done it! Finished early too.
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Notice the pattern
In very informal spoken English, native speakers sometimes drop "have" entirely in quick responses ("Done it!" instead of "I've done it!"). This is common in casual conversation but should be avoided in writing, exams or professional contexts.
5. Timeline, How the Present Perfect Connects Past and Present
The single most useful way to understand the present perfect is visually. Unlike the past simple, which refers to a completed, finished point in the past with no connection to now, the present perfect describes an action that began in the past but is connected to, or still relevant in, the present.
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Visualising the timeline
Past Simple: [Past] ●───── [Now], a single completed action, finished and disconnected from now.
Present Perfect: [Past] ●═══════● [Now], an action or period that started in the past and connects directly to the present moment, either because it is still happening, because it just finished, or because its result is visible now.
This is why "I have lived in London for ten years" is correct (you still live there, the period continues to now) but "I have lived in London in 2015" is wrong (2015 is a finished, specific point, use the past simple: "I lived in London in 2015").
6. Every Use of the Present Perfect
The present perfect has five main uses. Understanding which one applies in a given situation is the key to using this tense correctly, and it is the part that takes most learners time to master, because the same grammatical structure is used for genuinely different ideas.
1 Life Experience (unspecified time before now)
We use the present perfect to talk about experiences in our lives, without saying exactly when they happened. The focus is on the experience itself, not on the specific moment it occurred.
Rule: No specific past time word is used. The exact date or moment is unimportant or unknown, what matters is that the experience exists in your life history up to now.
Common situations: Talking about places you've visited, things you've tried, books you've read, skills you've developed.
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WarningIf you give a specific time, you must switch to the past simple: "I have been to Rome" (experience) vs "I went to Rome last summer" (specific time).
I have visited fifteen countries.
Have you ever tried sushi?
She has never met the CEO in person.
We have seen that film twice already.
He has worked in three different industries.
2 Recent Actions with a Present Result
We use the present perfect when a past action has a direct, visible result or consequence right now. The focus is on the present situation caused by the past action, not on when the action happened.
Rule: Often used with "just," "already," or "yet" to emphasise recency or completion. The present result is what matters.
Common situations: Reporting completed tasks, explaining a current state caused by something that just happened.
I have lost my keys. (Result: I don't have them now.)
She has broken her arm. (Result: her arm is in a cast now.)
We have just finished the meeting.
They have already left the office.
He hasn't arrived yet.
3 Unfinished Time Periods (this week, today, this year)
We use the present perfect with time expressions that include the present moment, periods that have not yet finished.
Rule: The time period itself ("today," "this week," "this year," "so far") is still ongoing when you speak, even if the specific action is complete.
Common situations: Summarising what has happened within an ongoing period, a workday, week, month or year.
I have drunk three coffees today. (Today isn't over.)
We have had a lot of rain this month.
She has sent five emails this morning.
They haven't called this week.
I have made good progress so far.
4 Actions/States Continuing from Past to Present
We use the present perfect (often with "for" or "since") to describe a situation that began in the past and is still true now.
Rule: Use "for" with a duration (for ten years, for two weeks) and "since" with a starting point (since 2015, since Monday).
Common situations: Talking about how long you have lived somewhere, worked somewhere, known someone, or owned something.
I have lived here for ten years. (I still live here.)
She has worked at the company since 2018.
We have known each other for a long time.
He has had this car since last year.
They have been married for twenty years.
5 Repeated Actions (up to now)
We use the present perfect to count how many times something has happened up to the present moment, with the possibility it could happen again.
Rule: Often used with numbers (twice, three times) or frequency words, without a specific time.
Common situations: Describing repeated personal history, recurring events, frequency of an action.
I have called him three times today.
She has won the competition twice.
We have visited that restaurant several times.
He has changed jobs four times in five years.
They have rescheduled the meeting twice already.
7. Signal Words
Certain words and phrases strongly signal that the present perfect is needed. Learning these signal words is one of the fastest ways to improve your accuracy.
Signal Word
Meaning / Use
Example
ever
at any time before now (used in questions)
Have you ever been to Spain?
never
at no time before now
I have never tried snowboarding.
just
a very short time ago
She has just left the building.
already
sooner than expected (positive sentences)
We have already eaten dinner.
yet
up to now (negatives and questions)
Have you finished yet? / I haven't finished yet.
since
from a specific starting point
I have worked here since 2019.
for
a duration of time
I have worked here for five years.
so far
up to the present moment
We have raised £2,000 so far.
up to now
until this present moment
Up to now, everything has gone smoothly.
recently
not long ago (often used with present perfect, though also past simple)
I have recently changed jobs.
lately
in the recent period up to now
Have you seen any good films lately?
this week/month/year
unfinished time period
I have read three books this month.
today
unfinished time period (if the day isn't over)
I have made two calls today.
how long...?
asking about a duration that continues
How long have you lived here?
still (in questions/negatives)
continuing up to now, often unexpectedly
Have you still not finished?
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Memory trick: "JEAN'S YET"
Remember the signal words for present perfect using the phrase "JEAN'S YET": Just, Ever, Already, Never, Since, Yet, Experience, Today (and other unfinished time periods). If you see one of these words in a sentence you're writing, the present perfect is very likely the correct tense.
8. Present Perfect vs Other Tenses
Present Perfect vs Past Simple
This is the single most important comparison in English grammar, and the source of more learner errors than any other. The rule is straightforward once you internalise it: past simple = finished time, no connection to now. Present perfect = unfinished time, or a clear connection to now.
Present Perfect
Past Simple
I have visited Paris.
I visited Paris in 2019.
She has lost her phone. (She doesn't have it now.)
She lost her phone yesterday, but found it again.
We have lived here for ten years.
We lived in Manchester for ten years (before moving here).
Have you ever eaten octopus?
Did you eat the octopus at the restaurant last night?
I have already sent the email.
I sent the email this morning at 9am.
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The simplest test
Ask yourself: "Can I add a specific time (yesterday, in 2019, last week, at 9am) to this sentence?" If yes → past simple. If the time is unspecified, unfinished, or the connection to now matters more than when it happened → present perfect.
Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous
The present perfect continuous (have/has + been + verb-ing) emphasises the durationor ongoing nature of an action, often with a focus on the process rather than the result.
Present Perfect (Simple)
Present Perfect Continuous
I have read three books this month. (Focus: result, three books completed)
I have been reading this book for two weeks. (Focus: ongoing process, not yet finished)
She has written the report. (Finished, result matters)
She has been writing the report all morning. (Emphasis on duration/effort)
I have cleaned the kitchen. (Done, it's clean now)
I have been cleaning the kitchen. (May or may not be finished, emphasis on the activity)
Present Perfect vs Past Perfect
The past perfect (had + past participle) is used for an action that happened before another past action, it moves the "present perfect" idea one step further back into the past.
Present Perfect
Past Perfect
I have finished my homework. (relevant to now)
I had finished my homework before dinner. (relevant to a point in the past)
She has already left.
She had already left when I arrived.
9. British vs American English
One of the clearest differences between British and American English grammar involves the present perfect, and it is genuinely useful to know if you are studying for a UK-based exam (like the SELT) or working in a British professional environment.
Situation
British English
American English
Recent action with "just"
I have just eaten. (present perfect preferred)
I just ate. (past simple very common)
"Already" / "yet"
Have you finished yet? / I haven't finished yet.
Did you finish yet? / I didn't finish yet. (also acceptable)
Past participle of "got"
I have got two sisters. (have got = have)
I have gotten used to it. ("gotten" used as past participle)
Formal writing
Present perfect used strictly according to the rules above.
Past simple is more commonly substituted in informal contexts.
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For UK exam preparation (SELT, Cambridge, IELTS)
If you are preparing for a UK-based test, always follow standard British English usage: use the present perfect (not past simple) with "just," "already," and "yet." Examiners trained on British English standards expect this distinction.
10. Formal vs Informal English
The present perfect itself does not change between formal and informal English, but how it is delivered does. In formal writing, full forms are used and the structure tends to be more elaborate. In informal speech, contractions dominate and shorter, more direct phrasing is common.
Context
Example
Formal email
I have reviewed the attached document and have no further comments at this stage.
Informal message
I've checked it, looks good to me!
Formal report
The committee has concluded that further investigation is required.
Informal conversation
They've decided to look into it more.
11. Spoken English & Contractions
In natural spoken English, contractions with the present perfect are the norm, using the full form ("I have finished") in casual conversation can sound stiff or overly formal.
Full Form
Spoken Contraction
I have
I've
You have
You've
He has
He's
She has
She's
It has
It's
We have
We've
They have
They've
have not
haven't
has not
hasn't
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Watch out: "he's" and "it's" are ambiguous
"He's" can mean "he is" or "he has", context tells you which. "He's finished" = "he has finished" (present perfect). "He's tired" = "he is tired" (present simple, with adjective). This ambiguity rarely causes real confusion for native speakers, but it can trip up learners reading quickly.
12. Pronunciation
In natural spoken English, "have" and "has" are usually weakened (reduced) in the middle of a sentence, they are rarely given full stress.
"have" is often pronounced /əv/ (like "uv") in fast speech: "I've /aɪv/ finished" or "We /wiː/ have /əv/ already left" becomes "We've already left."
Stress falls on the past participle, not on "have/has": "I have FINished" not "I HAVE finished" (unless you are emphasising contrast: "I HAVE done it!" to insist you really have).
Linking: "have eaten" often links smoothly as "ha-veaten" in connected speech.
13. 30 Common Mistakes
These are genuine, frequent errors made by English learners at every level, collected from years of teaching experience. Each one shows the incorrect sentence, the correction, and why it is wrong.
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
"Yesterday" is a specific finished time, requires past simple.
❌ She has went to the shop.
✅ She has gone to the shop.
"Went" is the past simple form; the present perfect needs the past participle "gone."
❌ I am living here since 2015.
✅ I have lived here since 2015.
An action continuing from past to present with "since" requires present perfect, not present continuous.
❌ Have you ever went to Italy?
✅ Have you ever been to Italy?
Mixing past simple "went" with present perfect "have", use the past participle "been."
❌ I have finished it last week.
✅ I finished it last week.
"Last week" is a specific finished time, use past simple.
❌ She has two children since 2018.
✅ She has had two children since 2018.
Missing the past participle "had", "has" alone is present simple, not present perfect.
❌ I didn't see him yet.
✅ I haven't seen him yet.
"Yet" signals present perfect in British English, not past simple.
❌ He has live in London for ten years.
✅ He has lived in London for ten years.
The verb form after "has" must be the past participle, not the base form.
❌ I have been to London last year.
✅ I went to London last year.
"Last year" is a specific finished time, switch to past simple.
❌ We have did our homework.
✅ We have done our homework.
"Did" is past simple, the past participle of "do" is "done."
❌ How long do you know him?
✅ How long have you known him?
An ongoing state from past to present requires present perfect, not present simple.
❌ I have ate breakfast already.
✅ I have eaten breakfast already.
"Ate" is past simple; the past participle is "eaten."
❌ She has been work here for five years.
✅ She has worked here for five years.
No need for "been" before a regular past participle, "has worked" is sufficient.
❌ I have never been seeing that film.
✅ I have never seen that film.
"Seeing" is incorrect here, use the past participle "seen," not the continuous form.
❌ Have you finished it already?
✅ Have you finished it yet?
"Already" is for positive statements; "yet" is for questions and negatives.
❌ I have bought a car last month.
✅ I bought a car last month.
A specific time ("last month") needs past simple.
❌ She has been to the dentist this morning at 9am.
✅ She went to the dentist this morning at 9am.
A specific clock time always requires past simple, even within "this morning."
❌ We haven't never been there.
✅ We have never been there.
English uses single negatives, not double negatives ("haven't" + "never" together is incorrect).
❌ I have lost my keys yesterday.
✅ I lost my keys yesterday.
A specific past time word like "yesterday" always requires past simple.
❌ He has been knowing her for years.
✅ He has known her for years.
"Know" is a stative verb and is not usually used in continuous forms.
❌ I have wrote three emails today.
✅ I have written three emails today.
"Wrote" is past simple; the past participle is "written."
❌ Have you been to the party last night?
✅ Did you go to the party last night?
"Last night" is a specific finished time, past simple is needed.
❌ I am here since two hours.
✅ I have been here for two hours.
Use present perfect (not present simple) with "for" + duration when describing an ongoing state.
❌ She has give me the documents.
✅ She has given me the documents.
"Give" must become the past participle "given" after "has."
❌ I have study English for three years.
✅ I have studied English for three years.
The verb after "have" needs the past participle ending in -ed: "studied," not the base form.
❌ We have meet him before.
✅ We have met him before.
"Meet" becomes "met" in both past simple and past participle.
❌ I have just to finish this.
✅ I have just finished this.
No "to" is needed between "just" and the past participle.
❌ Since how long have you worked here?
✅ How long have you worked here?
English questions use "how long" alone, not "since how long."
❌ I haven't seen anybody since three days.
✅ I haven't seen anybody for three days.
Use "for" with a duration of time ("three days") and "since" with a starting point ("Monday," "2020").
❌ He has been gone to the bank.
✅ He has gone to the bank.
No need for "been" before "gone", "has gone" is already complete and correct.
14. Advanced Usage (C1–C2)
At advanced levels, the present perfect appears in more nuanced contexts that go beyond the basic five uses. These patterns are common in sophisticated writing, news reporting and formal speech, and are tested specifically at C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency level.
The Present Perfect in News Headlines and Reports
News reports typically introduce a story with the present perfect, then switch to past simple for specific details: "A major earthquake has struck the region. The quake, which occurred at 4am local time, measured 6.2 on the Richter scale and caused widespread damage to..." Notice the shift: present perfect for the headline (connecting the event to "now, as we report this"), then past simple once specific details (time, place, measurements) are given.
Present Perfect with Superlatives and "the first/only time"
The present perfect is used after superlatives and expressions like "the first time" because the statement is being made from the perspective of "up to now":
This is the best meal I have ever eaten.
It's the first time I have been to Japan.
That is the most difficult exam I have ever taken.
Present Perfect Passive
The present perfect can be combined with the passive voice (have/has + been + past participle), common in formal and academic writing where the focus is on the action rather than who performed it.
The contract has been signed. (focus on the contract, not who signed it)
New regulations have been introduced.
The building has been renovated since we last visited.
Present Perfect with "It's the first/second/third time..."
A distinctive structure: "It's the third time he has been late this week." This pattern is frequently tested at C1 level and often causes errors because learners use past simple instead.
15. Native Speaker Tips
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What natives actually say
In genuinely natural British speech, native speakers sometimes blur the present perfect / past simple distinction in casual contexts, particularly American speakers, who are far more relaxed about using past simple with "just," "already" and "yet." However, for exam purposes (Cambridge, IELTS, SELT) and professional written English, the formal rules in this guide should always be followed.
Native speakers rarely use the full form in speech. "I have finished" sounds noticeably formal in casual conversation, "I've finished" is the natural choice.
"Have you got...?" vs "Do you have...?" Both are correct in British English, but "have you got" is more common in spoken, informal British English.
Stress and intonation carry meaning. "I HAVE done it" (with stress on "have") signals "I really did, despite what you think", a contrastive emphasis British speakers use often.
"Ever" is rarely used in positive statements. Natives say "I have been to France" not "I have ever been to France." "Ever" belongs in questions and negatives ("Have you ever...?" / "I haven't ever...").
16. 50 Useful Collocations
Collocations are word combinations that are commonly used together. Learning these as fixed phrases will make your present perfect sentences sound significantly more natural.
have always wantedhave never beenhave just arrivedhave already decidedhaven't decided yethave recently changedhave finally finishedhave completely forgottenhave totally changedhas gone wronghas just announcedhas recently launchedhave made progresshave reached an agreementhave come to a decisionhave taken stepshave raised concernshave expressed interesthave lost touchhave kept in touchhave built a relationshiphave established a connectionhave developed a habithave broken a recordhave set a new standardhave achieved a goalhave met the deadlinehave missed the deadlinehave exceeded expectationshave fallen behindhave caught uphave run out ofhave given uphave carried onhave moved onhave settled inhave adapted tohave got used tohave grown accustomed tohave come a long wayhave learned a lothave picked uphave brushed up onhave improved significantlyhave struggled withhave dealt withhave come acrosshave run intohave heard abouthave read about
17. 100 Useful Words
The following verbs are among the most frequently used with the present perfect in everyday, professional and academic English. Many have irregular past participles, these are shown in brackets.
Twenty realistic dialogues showing the present perfect used naturally in everyday situations.
A: Have you ever been to New York?
B: Yes, I've been there twice. I went in 2019 and again last summer.
A: Has the report been sent yet?
B: Yes, I sent it this morning at 9am, just before the meeting started.
A: How long have you worked here?
B: I've worked here for about three years now, I joined in early 2023.
A: Have you finished your homework?
B: Not yet, I've done the maths but I haven't started the essay.
A: I've just heard the news, have you seen it?
B: Yes! I saw it on the news at lunchtime. Incredible, isn't it?
A: Has she called you back yet?
B: No, she hasn't. I left a message yesterday but I haven't heard anything since.
A: This is the best coffee I've ever had.
B: I know, I discovered this place last month and I've been coming here every day since.
A: Have you decided where to go on holiday?
B: We've narrowed it down to Italy or Greece, but we haven't booked anything yet.
A: I can't believe how much the city has changed.
B: I know, when I last visited in 2015, none of these buildings existed.
A: Have you met the new manager yet?
B: Briefly, she introduced herself this morning, but we haven't had a proper conversation.
A: I've lost my keys again.
B: Again? Where did you have them last?
A: Has the train arrived?
B: Yes, it got in five minutes ago, it's just over there on platform two.
A: We've raised over £3,000 so far for the charity.
B: That's amazing! How long has the campaign been running?
A: Have you ever broken a bone?
B: Yes, I broke my wrist when I was a teenager, I fell off my bike.
A: The company has just announced a new product.
B: Really? When did they make the announcement?
A: I haven't slept properly for days.
B: That sounds exhausting, has something been bothering you?
A: Has she finished the project?
B: Almost, she finished the writing part yesterday but still needs to review it.
A: I've never tried Korean food before.
B: You should! We went to a great Korean restaurant last week, I'll send you the name.
A: It's the third time you've been late this week.
B: I know, I'm sorry, the trains have been delayed every morning.
A: Have prices gone up again?
B: Yes, they've increased twice already this year.
19. Reading Practice
Reading: "A Career Change"
Maria has worked in finance for the past twelve years, but she has recently decided to change direction completely. "I have always wanted to teach," she explains, "but I have never had the courage to make the change, until now." Since January, she has completed a teaching qualification, has volunteered at her local school, and has already accepted a part-time teaching position starting in September. "I have learned more in the past six months than I did in the previous five years," she says. "I haven't looked back once." Her former colleagues have been supportive, though some have admitted they have never considered making such a dramatic change themselves. Maria has not regretted her decision for a single day. "Have you ever made a big life change?" she asks. "If you have been thinking about it, my advice is simple: stop thinking and start doing."
Comprehension Questions
1. How long has Maria worked in finance?
2. What has she completed since January?
3. Has she accepted a job yet? When does it start?
4. How have her former colleagues reacted?
5. Find three present perfect verbs in the text and identify which "use" (from Section 6) each one represents.
Show Answers
1. Twelve years.
2. A teaching qualification, and she has volunteered at her local school.
3. Yes, she has accepted a part-time teaching position starting in September.
4. They have been supportive.
5. Example answers: "has worked" (continuing from past to present, with "for"); "has completed" (recent action with present result); "has never had" (life experience/never).
20. Listening Script
ESL Listening Script: "Office Update"
(Use this script to record or read aloud for listening practice.)
Manager: Good morning everyone. Quick update before we start. We've had some good news this week, the client has confirmed the new contract, and the design team has already started working on the first phase. James, have you finished the budget proposal yet?
James: Almost, I've completed the first draft, but I haven't reviewed the figures with finance yet. I should have it ready by Friday.
Manager: Perfect. And Sarah, has the new starter arrived?
Sarah: Yes, she has, she started on Monday and has already settled in really well. She's worked here for less than a week and she's already taken on two projects.
Manager: Excellent. That's everything for today, thanks all.
Listening Questions
1. What news has the manager received this week?
2. Has James finished the budget proposal?
3. When did the new starter arrive?
4. How many projects has she already taken on?
Show Answers
1. The client has confirmed the new contract.
2. No, she has completed the first draft but hasn't reviewed the figures yet.
3. On Monday.
4. Two projects.
21. Writing Tasks
Task 1, Email
Write an email to a colleague (80–100 words) updating them on a project. Use at least five present perfect verbs.
Show Model Answer
Subject: Project Update
Hi Tom,
Just a quick update, I've finished the first section of the report and have already sent it to the client for feedback. I haven't heard back yet, but I'll follow up tomorrow if needed. I've also booked the meeting room for Thursday, and Sarah has agreed to join us. Have you had a chance to review the budget figures yet? Let me know if you need anything from me before then.
Best, Anna
Task 2, Short Essay
Write a short essay (150 words): "Describe a positive change in your life and explain how it has affected you." Use the present perfect throughout.
Show Model Answer
Over the past year, I have made a significant change in my lifestyle: I have started exercising regularly. Before, I had never been particularly active, but since joining a gym in January, I have noticed a real difference. I have lost weight, I have gained more energy, and I have slept better than I have in years. I have also met new people through group classes, which has improved my social life considerably. My confidence has grown too, I have achieved goals I never thought possible, like running five kilometres without stopping. This change has affected every part of my life, from my mood to my productivity at work. I have not regretted the decision once, and I have already signed up for a half-marathon next spring.
Task 3, Story Opening
Write the opening of a short story (100 words) that begins with the line: "Everything has changed since that day."
Show Model Answer
Everything has changed since that day. The house has stayed the same, the same creaking stairs, the same faded curtains, but I have not. I have learned things I never wanted to know, and I have lost the kind of certainty I once took for granted. My sister has not spoken to me since, and my parents have never fully explained what happened that morning. I have asked, more times than I can count, but the silence has only grown heavier. Whatever happened in that room, it has followed me ever since, and I have finally decided it is time to find out the truth.
Task 4, Review
Write a short review (100 words) of a restaurant, film or book you have experienced, using the present perfect to describe your overall experience.
Show Model Answer
I have eaten at this restaurant three times now, and it has never disappointed me. The menu has changed slightly since my last visit, but the quality has remained consistently excellent. I have tried most of the main dishes, and the seafood pasta has become my absolute favourite. The staff have always been friendly and attentive, and the atmosphere has stayed warm and welcoming even when busy. I have already recommended it to several friends, and I have booked a table again for next month. If you haven't visited yet, I would strongly suggest you do.
Task 5, Article
Write a short article (150 words) for a magazine: "How Technology Has Changed Our Lives." Use the present perfect to discuss general changes.
Show Model Answer
Technology has transformed almost every aspect of modern life. Over the past two decades, smartphones have become essential tools rather than luxuries. Social media has changed how we communicate, and remote working has reshaped our relationship with the office. Many companies have adopted flexible working arrangements that simply did not exist before. Online shopping has reduced our reliance on physical stores, while streaming services have replaced traditional television for millions of people. Artificial intelligence has begun to influence everything from healthcare to education, and experts have predicted even more dramatic changes in the coming decade. Not everyone has welcomed these shifts equally, some have raised concerns about privacy and isolation, but there is no denying that technology has fundamentally altered how we live, work and connect with one another.
22. Speaking Tasks
Discussion Questions
What is the most interesting place you have ever visited?
Have you ever changed your mind about something important? What happened?
What achievements are you most proud of so far in your life?
How has your life changed in the past five years?
Have you ever had to make a difficult decision quickly? Describe it.
Role Play: Job Interview
Practise this with a partner or tutor. Candidate A is the interviewer, Candidate B is the interviewee. Use present perfect to discuss experience.
"What experience have you had in this industry?"
"Have you ever managed a team before?"
"What achievements have you made in your current role?"
"Have you completed any relevant qualifications recently?"
Picture Description Task
Look at a photo of a messy room, a finished building project, or a busy office. Describe what has happened using the present perfect: "Someone has left the door open." "The team has clearly worked hard on this." "It looks like they have just finished painting."
Cambridge Speaking-Style Questions
Have you ever learned a new skill that surprised you?
What changes have you noticed in your hometown recently?
Tell me about something you have achieved that you are proud of.
IELTS Speaking-Style Questions
Describe a time you have helped someone. What did you do, and how has it affected your relationship?
Have attitudes towards work changed in your country in recent years? How?
What is the most significant change you have experienced in your life?
23. Exercises
Genuine practice is the fastest way to master the present perfect. Work through each section, then check your answers using the dropdown below each set.
A. Gap Fill, Complete with the correct present perfect form (30 questions)
Use the present perfect of the verb in brackets.
1. I ___ (finish) my homework already.
2. She ___ (never/be) to Australia.
3. We ___ (live) here since 2018.
4. ___ you ___ (see) the new film yet?
5. He ___ (just/leave) the office.
6. They ___ (not/decide) where to go yet.
7. I ___ (lose) my phone, I can't find it anywhere.
8. ___ she ever ___ (try) sushi?
9. We ___ (already/eat) dinner.
10. How long ___ you ___ (know) each other?
11. The company ___ (announce) a new product.
12. I ___ (read) three books this month.
13. She ___ (not/finish) her report yet.
14. ___ you ___ (be) to this restaurant before?
15. They ___ (move) to a new house recently.
16. He ___ (break) his arm, he's at the hospital now.
17. We ___ (not/see) each other for years.
18. I ___ (write) two emails this morning.
19. ___ the train ___ (arrive) yet?
20. She ___ (work) here for six years.
21. They ___ (just/get) married.
22. I ___ (never/eat) octopus before.
23. ___ you ___ (finish) the project yet?
24. We ___ (make) good progress so far.
25. He ___ (already/leave) for the airport.
26. I ___ (not/hear) from her since Monday.
27. She ___ (win) the competition twice.
28. ___ they ___ (decide) on a date yet?
29. We ___ (live) abroad for most of our lives.
30. I ___ (just/finish) reading this book.
Show Answers (A)
1. have finished 2. has never been 3. have lived 4. Have...seen 5. has just left 6. haven't decided 7. have lost 8. Has...tried 9. have already eaten 10. have...known 11. has announced 12. have read 13. hasn't finished 14. Have...been 15. have moved 16. has broken 17. haven't seen 18. have written 19. Has...arrived 20. has worked 21. have just got 22. have never eaten 23. Have...finished 24. have made 25. has already left 26. haven't heard 27. has won 28. Have...decided 29. have lived 30. have just finished
B. Multiple Choice, Choose the correct option (30 questions)
1. I ___ him yesterday. (a) have seen (b) saw (c) see
2. ___ you ever ___ to China? (a) Did / go (b) Have / been (c) Have / gone
3. She ___ here since 2020. (a) lives (b) lived (c) has lived
4. We ___ the report last week. (a) have finished (b) finished (c) finish
5. He ___ his keys, he can't find them. (a) lost (b) has lost (c) loses
6. I ___ breakfast already. (a) ate (b) eat (c) have eaten
7. They ___ to the cinema last night. (a) went (b) have gone (c) go
8. ___ you finished yet? (a) Did (b) Have (c) Do
9. She ___ three times this week. (a) called (b) has called (c) calls
10. I ___ him at 9am this morning. (a) saw (b) have seen (c) see
11. We ___ never ___ that film. (a) did / saw (b) have / seen (c) have / see
12. How long ___ you lived here? (a) did (b) have (c) do
13. The meeting ___ already started. (a) was (b) has (c) is
14. I ___ this book last year. (a) read (b) have read (c) reads
15. She ___ just ___ the office. (a) did / leave (b) has / left (c) has / leave
16. They ___ married for ten years. (a) were (b) have been (c) are
17. ___ this morning at 8am. (a) I have woken up (b) I woke up (c) I wake up
18. We ___ a lot of progress so far. (a) made (b) have made (c) make
19. He ___ the company in 2015. (a) joined (b) has joined (c) joins
20. I ___ never ___ so tired. (a) was / felt (b) have / felt (c) have / feel
21. ___ you ever tried Thai food? (a) Did (b) Have (c) Do
22. She ___ her degree last June. (a) has completed (b) completed (c) completes
23. We ___ here for two hours already. (a) were (b) have been (c) are
24. They ___ the contract yesterday. (a) signed (b) have signed (c) sign
25. I ___ that email yet. (a) didn't send (b) haven't sent (c) don't send
26. ___ she finished the project? (a) Did (b) Has (c) Does
27. We ___ to Spain last summer. (a) went (b) have gone (c) go
28. He ___ for this company for five years. (a) worked (b) has worked (c) works
29. I ___ my umbrella at home this morning. (a) left (b) have left (c) leave
30. ___ already finished. (a) She has (b) She did (c) She does
Rewrite each sentence using the present perfect, keeping the same meaning.
1. I started this job five years ago and I still work here. → I ___
2. This is my first visit to Paris. → I ___ Paris before.
3. She began studying English in 2020 and continues now. → She ___
4. The last time I saw him was three years ago. → I ___ him for three years.
5. It is not finished. → It ___
6. He started his business in 2019; it's still running. → He ___
7. This is the first time I am eating Thai food. → I ___ Thai food before.
8. We arrived this morning and we are still here. → We ___
9. I don't know the answer yet. → I ___ the answer yet.
10. She is still writing the report; she's not done. → She ___ the report yet.
Show Answers (C)
1. I have worked here for five years.
2. I haven't been to Paris before.
3. She has studied English since 2020.
4. I haven't seen him for three years.
5. It hasn't finished / It hasn't been finished.
6. He has run his business since 2019.
7. I haven't eaten Thai food before.
8. We have been here since this morning.
9. I haven't found out the answer yet.
10. She hasn't finished the report yet.
Questions 11–30 follow the same pattern using a variety of verbs and contexts, available in our downloadable worksheet (see Section 21 PDF link below).
D. Error Correction (20 questions)
Find and correct the error in each sentence.
1. I have seen him yesterday.
2. She has went to the shops.
3. We are living here since 2019.
4. Have you ever went to Brazil?
5. I didn't finish it yet.
6. He has live there for ten years.
7. I have bought this car last year.
8. How long do you know her?
9. We haven't never been there.
10. She has gave me the file.
Show Answers (D)
1. I saw him yesterday.
2. She has gone to the shops.
3. We have lived here since 2019.
4. Have you ever been to Brazil?
5. I haven't finished it yet.
6. He has lived there for ten years.
7. I bought this car last year.
8. How long have you known her?
9. We haven't ever been there. / We have never been there.
10. She has given me the file.
E. Rewrite Using Present Perfect (20 questions)
Rewrite each past simple sentence as present perfect where the context makes it appropriate.
1. I worked here for three years (and I still do). → ___
2. She finished the report (it's done now). → ___
3. We didn't see that film (up to now). → ___
4. He visited ten countries (in his life so far). → ___
5. They didn't decide yet. → ___
Show Answers (E)
1. I have worked here for three years.
2. She has finished the report.
3. We haven't seen that film.
4. He has visited ten countries.
5. They haven't decided yet.
F. Mixed Review (20 questions)
Choose present perfect or past simple, and complete each sentence correctly.
1. I ___ (visit) London three times. (present perfect or past simple?)
2. We ___ (go) to the cinema last Friday.
3. She ___ (not/finish) her thesis yet.
4. They ___ (move) to London in 2021.
5. I ___ (lose) my wallet, I can't find it.
Show Answers (F)
1. have visited (life experience, no specific time)
2. went (specific past time: "last Friday")
3. hasn't finished (unfinished, relevant to now)
4. moved (specific past time: "in 2021")
5. have lost (recent action with present result)
24. Mini Quiz
25. Exam Focus, Cambridge, IELTS, Trinity, SELT
Exam
How Present Perfect Is Tested
Sample Question
Cambridge A2 Key
Basic present perfect with "ever/never," simple gap fills in Use of English.
"___ you ever been to London?" (Have)
Cambridge B1 Preliminary
Present perfect vs past simple in Reading and Writing; basic key word transformations.
Rewrite: "It is the first time I am here." → "I ___ here before." (haven't been)
Cambridge B2 First
Key word transformation tests present perfect extensively, including with "for/since."
"She started this job in 2019." → "She ___ this job since 2019." (has had)
Cambridge C1 Advanced
Present perfect passive, advanced collocations, and present perfect in formal register Writing tasks.
Use of English Part 4: complex transformations involving present perfect passive.
Cambridge C2 Proficiency
Subtle uses including journalistic present perfect, advanced collocation accuracy.
Open cloze and word formation tasks within news-style texts.
IELTS
Present perfect tested implicitly in Speaking Part 1 (life experience) and Writing Task 2 (discussing trends "have increased").
Speaking: "Have you ever lived in another city?"
Trinity GESE/ISE (SELT)
Present perfect tested in Speaking topics about personal history and experience, core to A2/B1 GESE conversation.
"How long have you lived in your current home?"
Oxford Test of English
Present perfect appears across Reading, Listening and Speaking, particularly in workplace-context tasks.
Listening gap-fill: "The company ___ (announce) record profits."
🎯
Exam tip
Examiners across every major exam board specifically test the present perfect vs past simple distinction because it is the single most reliable way to assess whether a candidate truly understands English time concepts, not just vocabulary. Mastering this distinction will measurably improve your scores across Reading, Writing and Speaking papers.
26. Frequently Asked Questions
It is a verb tense (have/has + past participle) used to connect a past action or state to the present moment, for example, talking about life experience, recent results, or situations that started in the past and continue now.
Past simple is used for finished actions at a specific past time ("I visited Paris in 2019"). Present perfect is used when the time is unspecified, unfinished, or the connection to now matters more than when it happened ("I have visited Paris").
Subject + have/has + past participle. For example: "I have finished," "She has eaten."
Use "for" with a duration of time (for ten years, for two weeks). Use "since" with a starting point (since 2015, since Monday).
No, this is the most common error. Specific finished time words (yesterday, last week, in 2020, at 9am) always require the past simple, not the present perfect.
"Have been" means you went somewhere and returned ("I have been to Paris", I went and came back). "Have gone" means you went and are still there ("She has gone to the shop", she is currently at the shop).
No, "ate" is the past simple form. The correct present perfect form is "I have eaten."
Common signal words include: ever, never, just, already, yet, since, for, so far, recently, lately, this week/month/year, and "how long...?"
Yes, British English strictly uses present perfect with "just," "already" and "yet," while American English often uses past simple in these contexts ("I just ate" is acceptable American usage).
A related tense (have/has + been + verb-ing) that emphasises the duration or ongoing nature of an action, e.g. "I have been studying for three hours," compared to "I have studied for three hours" which emphasises the completed result.
Irregular past participles must be memorised individually, as they do not follow a predictable pattern. See the irregular verbs table in Section 3 and the 100-word vocabulary list in Section 17 of this guide.
No, the present perfect always refers to the past in relation to now. For future completed actions, use the future perfect ("I will have finished by 5pm").
Many languages do not have an equivalent grammatical structure connecting past actions to the present moment in the same way English does, so speakers of those languages often default to past simple where present perfect is needed, or vice versa.
In British English, "have got" is a common informal way of expressing possession ("I've got two sisters" = "I have two sisters"), it is not the present perfect of "get" in this usage.
A structure combining present perfect with the passive voice: have/has + been + past participle. Example: "The contract has been signed."
Invert have/has and the subject: "Have you finished?" "Has she arrived?"
Subject + have/has + not + past participle. Example: "I have not finished" or the contraction "I haven't finished."
Yes, "since" can be followed by a time point ("since 2020") or a clause ("since I moved here," "since we last spoke"), both used with the present perfect.
"Ever" means "at any time" and naturally fits questions about general experience. "Already" implies an expectation has been met sooner than anticipated and is more natural in positive statements than in open questions.
Yes, present perfect is a core structure in both the GESE and ISE Speaking components, particularly when discussing personal history, residence and experience ("How long have you lived here?").
"Gone", for example, "She has gone to work" (she is currently there). Compare with "been," used when someone has returned from a place.
News headlines typically use present perfect to introduce a story ("A volcano has erupted"), then switch to past simple for specific details ("The eruption occurred at 6am").
No, this mixes past simple "went" with present perfect "have." The correct form is "I have never been" (using the past participle of "go," which is "gone" for a single direction or "been" for a visited-and-returned experience).
With focused study and practice, most learners can understand and apply the basic rules within a few weeks. Achieving full accuracy, particularly with the present perfect vs past simple distinction, typically takes several months of consistent use and correction.
Yes, stative verbs (know, believe, own, understand) are commonly used in the present perfect simple ("I have known her for years") but are not typically used in the present perfect continuous.
"Have been / has been." Example: "I have been busy this week."
No, "for" and "since" are only needed when describing duration or a starting point. Many present perfect sentences (life experience, recent results) do not use either: "I have visited Japan," "She has lost her keys."
They are very similar and often interchangeable, though "lately" is slightly more associated with present perfect ("Have you seen any good films lately?"), while "recently" can be used with both present perfect and past simple.
Use the exercises in Section 23 of this guide, take the mini quiz in Section 24, and, most effectively, practise in real conversation with a tutor who can correct you immediately. Book a free consultation with Elite Language Solutions for personalised practice.
📅 Ready to Master the Present Perfect, and Every Other Tense?
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