The present perfect tense is an important tense in English.

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Hello Students,

The present perfect tense is an important tense for you to understand because it allows you to talk about a span of time that begins in the past and continues in the present. This emailed lesson provides examples of the present perfect tense, links to lessons, and an exercise below. I hope it helps you!

How long have you lived in the place where you live?

I have lived in Minnesota for almost 24 years. I moved here (Minnesota) in 1991 and I'm still here now.

Let's look just at the verbs in the above sentences:

moved = past tense -- This action is past. 

am = present tense -- This is the situation now.

have lived = present perfect tense -- This shows the passage of time.

Something happened in the past and it is still true now.

There are two things that you have to think about when forming the present perfect tense:

1. Choose has or have depending on the subject in the sentence or question.

2. Choose the correct past participle for the main verb. Remember, the past participle is not the same thing as the past tense.

Let's look at the verb "see" as an example.

simple form: see

past tense: saw

past participle: seen

Have you seen a doctor recently? (present perfect tense, question)

My friend, Bob, hasn't seen a doctor in the last ten years. (present perfect tense, negative)

The last time he saw a doctor was in 2004. (past tense)

I see a doctor regularly. (present tense)

Do you need more help?

This lesson explains how to use the present perfect tense.

This lesson explains how to use the negative form of the present perfect tense.

This lesson shows how to make questions with the present perfect tense.

Here's a quick exercise.

Directions: Using the verb in parentheses, write the correct form of the present perfect tense:

1. She ______ ________ her homework. (do)

2. The kids ________ not __________ anything yet. (eat)

3. ________ I __________ your question? (answer)

4. This ______ ________ an interesting experience. (be)

5. Who _______ she _________? (call)

6. ______ he _________ any coffee yet? (have)

7. We _______ not _________ about that. (hear)

8. Our teacher _______ _________ sick all week. (feel)

9. His bad attitude _______ _________ his chances of getting the job. (hurt)

10. How _______ you _________? (be)

The word of the day is "dark."

I'm taking photo submissions for the month of August 2015 if you would like to send in a picture of yourself. Please include your first name and the name of the country that you are from. It's always interesting to see what part of the world my students are from.

That's all for now.

 

Have a nice day!

 

 

Your teacher,

Paul

PEACE!

Answers:

1. has done

2. have...eaten

3. Have...answered

4. has been

5. has...called

6. Has...had

7. have...heard

8. has felt

9. has hurt

10. have...been