Formation
| Subject | Auxiliary | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / You / We / They | have | eaten | I have eaten lunch. |
| He / She / It | has | gone | She has gone home. |
Negative: subject + have/has + not + past participle
He has not finished.
Question: Have/Has + subject + past participle?
Have you seen this film?
When to Use the Present Perfect
| Use | Signal words | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Life experience (ever/never) | ever, never | I have never been to Japan. |
| Recent action (news) | just | She has just called. |
| Unfinished time period | today, this week, this year | We have had three tests this year. |
| Action still relevant now | already, yet | Have you already done your homework? |
Do NOT use the present perfect with a finished past time expression.
ā I have seen him yesterday.
ā
I saw him yesterday.
Irregular Past Participles
| Infinitive | Past participle |
|---|---|
| be | been |
| go | gone |
| do | done |
| see | seen |
| eat | eaten |
| write | written |
| speak | spoken |
| take | taken |
Real world: job application / CV
I have worked in customer service for three years. I have spoken to thousands of clients and have managed a small team since 2022.
Real world: breaking news headline
"Scientists have discovered a new species of deep-sea fish. Researchers have named it after the ship that found it."
Real world: restaurant conversation
"Have you tried the new Italian place on Main Street? ā Yes! I have been there twice already. The pasta has won several awards."
Practice Problems
Write the correct form: She (never / visit) Japan.
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Make a question: He has already eaten.
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Make negative: They have finished the project.
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Which sentence is correct? (a) I have seen him yesterday. (b) I saw him yesterday.