Present perfect examples

    use in present perfect
    use in present perfect simple
    use in present perfect continuous
    take in present perfect tense
  • Use in present perfect
  • Present perfect form

  • Present perfect continuous tense examples
  • Present perfect tense
  • Present perfect continuous
  • Present perfect structure
  • Present perfect tense!

    HOW TO USE THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

    For information on how to make the present perfect, click here.
    Download this explanation in PDF here.

    We use this tense for unfinished and finished actions.

    Unfinished Actions
    1: We use this tense when we want to talk about unfinished actions or states or habits that started in the past and continue to the present.

    Usually we use it to say 'how long' and we need 'since' or 'for'. We often use stative verbs.

    • I've known Karen since 1994.
    • She's lived in London for three years.
    • I've worked here for six months.
    'Since' and 'For'
    We use 'since' with a fixed time in the past (2004, April 23rd, last year).

    Present perfect exercises

    The fixed time can be another action, which is in the past simple (since I was at school, since I arrived).

    • I've known Sam since 1992.
    • I've liked chocolate since I was a child.
    • She's been here since 2pm.
    We use 'for' with a period of time (2 hours, three years, six months).

    • I've known Julie for ten years.
    • I've been hungry for hours.
    • She's had a cold for a week.
    Finished Actions
    2: Life experience. These are actions or

      take in present perfect progressive
      take in present perfect continuous tense