Present perfect in translation is the present completed tense. Used in English to describe actions that began in the past, without a precise start time, and whose completion is closely related to the present. They ended by the current moment or in a period that can be called the present. Problems often arise with understanding this tense, at least due to the fact that sentences in the Present perfect are translated into Russian in the past tense, and in English it is Present - present tense. And you also don’t immediately understand how a completed action can be in the present tense.
2. Education Present perfect
2.1. Affirmative form
Verb conjugation table in an affirmative sentence
More examples can be found in the article.
Rules for forming statements
The affirmative form of the present completed tense is formed as follows: after the subject there is an auxiliary verb have(has), plus the main verb in the 3rd form (past participle).
Both pronouns (I, you, he, she, it, we, they) and nouns (boy, cars, snow) can be used as subjects.
The auxiliary verb have is almost always used, but in the 3rd person singular, that is, for pronouns he, she, it and singular nouns (boy, snow), has is used (see the conjugation table above).
Shortened forms of the auxiliary verbs have and has: ‘ve and ‘s respectively. For example, I have worked = I’ve worked, He has worked = He’s worked. Please note that 's is also used to shorten the verb is. Which word is abbreviated in such a record will have to be understood from the context.
The third form of the verb is a verb ending in -ed if the verb is regular. If the verb is irregular, then its third form must be remembered.
List irregular verbs You can view . You are now only interested in column 3, but we recommend learning all three forms at once. The second part of that article provides a life hack for more convenient memorization of irregular verbs.
The ending -ed is also not as simple as it seems at first glance; the rules for writing it are described in the article.
General scheme
S + have (has) + V3
Where S (subject) is the subject (pronoun or noun)
V3 (verb) – verb in 3rd form
2.2. Interrogative sentences
2.2.1. General issues
Example of verb conjugation in interrogative form
Rules for constructing a question
To form an interrogative sentence, it is enough to move the auxiliary verb have (has) to the beginning of the sentence, before the subject.
The main verb remains in the 3rd form.
Has is used in the same cases as in an affirmative sentence, that is, it depends on the subject.
Question formula in the present completed tense
Have (Has) + S + V3?
Where Have (Has) is an auxiliary verb
S – subject
V3 – verb in 3rd form
2.2.2. Answer to a common question
2.2.3. Special questions
Construction rules
A special question is formed from general issue by adding a question word (who, what, when, where) before the auxiliary verb have (has).
Formula for creating a special question
Wh + have (has) + S + V3?
Where Wh is a question word
have (has) – auxiliary verb
S – subject
V3 – verb in 3rd form
Table with examples of special questions
Rules for writing negatives
To form a negation from an affirmative sentence, you must write the negation particle not after the auxiliary verb. The auxiliary verb remains the same, the main verb remains in 3rd form.
The abbreviations for have not and has not are haven’t and hasn’t, respectively.
Reinforce the mastered rules for forming questions and negatives by completing.
General scheme of negation in the Present perfect
S + have (has) + not + V3
Where S is the subject
have (has) – auxiliary verb
not – particle of negation
V3 – verb in 3rd form
3. Use of the Present perfect and examples with translation
The present completed tense is used in the following cases:
3.1. When the fact that the action completed with a certain result is important, but the exact time when it happened is not important
I have bought a new skirt - I bought a new skirt. Now I have it, no matter when I bought it.
If you want to focus on the fact that you bought it at a sale on the weekend, that is, indicate the time, then you should use: I bought a new skirt last weekend.
3.2. If the action has recently completed and now its result affects the present
I'm not hungry. I have just eaten. I'm not hungry, I just ate.
Note that just is used in these cases.
3.3. When we talk about personal experience
I have been to London, but I haven’t been to Moscow - I was in London, but I wasn’t in Moscow. Some time in the past, it doesn’t matter exactly when, I was in London, this is a complete fact, but I was not in Moscow, although I can visit there.
Again, as soon as you want to indicate the exact time of your visit, you will need to use Past simple: I was in London 2 years ago.
When you talk about your experience, you can also focus on the fact that this happened more than once.
Greetings, my dear readers.
How different do you think our Russian and English perceptions of time are? I'll tell you this: it's like two opposites. Just look at Present Perfect Tense. There is no analogue to such a phenomenon in our speech. But the British cope with this easier. So today I will teach you this magic trick.
Today we will look at all the rules of the Present Perfect. We will discuss the rules of formation and rules of use. We've got plenty of example sentences and tips ahead to help you tackle this topic more easily.
How is it formed
Let's look at the sentence structure:
Subject + auxiliary verb have\has + predicate in 3rd form + objects and circumstances.
I have finished the presentation already. - I have already finished the presentation.
She doesn’t go to school because she has fallen from the horse. - She doesn't go to school because she fell off her horse.
Just by looking at the examples you can already see important aspect this tense - the use of an auxiliary verb have.
- For the first and second person (I, we, you, you, they) - we use an auxiliary verb have .
- For the third person (he, it, it) - comes into play has .
And to understand how forms are formed in all types English sentences, we have a wonderful table below.
The negative form is formed due to the particle not.
|
Negative form |
|
| I have not participated. | We have not participated. |
| You have not participated | You have not participated. |
| He\She\It has not participated. | They have not participated. |
And to form a question, you need to send the auxiliary verb have to the beginning of the sentence.
Understanding the rules of education is only half the battle. Now we need to understand when to use it.
When to use: beginner level
- When we want to show the result of an action that has already happened.
They have sold their house. - They sold their house.
I don’t want to see him in person. I have talked to him on the phone recently. That's enough. - I don't want to see him in person. I talked to him on the phone recently. It's enough.
- Often this tense is used with the indicators already - already, recently - recently, just - just now, yet - yet, already.
I haven’t seen her recently. - I haven't seen her lately.
- The action took place during a period that has not yet ended. This is usually expressed as today\this week\month\year.
We have lived in 8 countries this year. - We lived in 8 countries this year.
I have spent four hours drawing princesses with my little sister today. - Today I spent four hours drawing princesses with my little sister.
- When talking about personal experience. The verbs commonly used are to go, to be, to read, to try, to visit, etc.
Have you ever been to Sweden? -Have you ever been to Sweden?
I have never tried Thai cuisine. - I have never tried Thai cuisine.
She has been to London twice this month. - She was in London twice this month.
- Situations and events that started earlier and are still relevant.
He has been a member of the team for 3 years already. - He has been a member of the team for 3 years.
- Actions that have just completed.
I have just received my exam results. - I just received the results of my exam.
When to use: Professional level
The English language can be difficult at times. We will now find out what difficulties the Present Perfect has in store for us.
- We cannot use some verbs in the present continuous tense. For example, know, want. But in the Present Perfect they can be used without problems.
We have known each other for 15 years. - We have known each other for 15 years.
He has dreamed of becoming a biker since he was 5. - He dreamed of becoming a biker since he was 5.
- When we say we are doing something for the first, second or third time. To do this, we use the construction it is the first\second\third time I have done something.
It is the sixth time Jane has called her parents for the evening. - Jane called her parents six times this evening.
It is the first time I have read the book so fast. That's because it is amazing. - This is the first time I read a book so quickly. It's because she's gorgeous.
Peculiarities
Very often, a terrible confusion between Present Perfect and Past Simple matures in the minds of students. This is understandable, because for us everything that happens in the past should be shaped by the past. And here is some kind of past in the present. Go figure it out.
But in order to avoid such confusion, I have for you, where exercises and theory will help you sort out the answers to your questions and then consolidate them.
In short, the most important difference is the meaning and time indicators. If you see the words ago, yesterday, last week...- this will be Past Simple. If you catch your eye already, never, just, yet, since - feel free to use the Present Perfect.
You didn’t text me yesterday. - You didn't write to me yesterday.
They haven't been texted recently. - They haven't written lately.
That's all for me, my dears. Remember that without practice you will not master the lesson 100%. So hurry up and go. Interesting tasks and tests with answers await you.
And I say goodbye to you for today.
P.S. Ask your questions in the comments, and I will be happy to answer them and help you understand the topic. And if you don’t want to miss the latest materials that I share with my subscribers first of all, subscribe to the blog newsletter. I promise you won't regret it.
It is necessary to learn to recognize and use another tense of the group Perfect - The Present Perfect Tense - present perfect tense. The very name “perfect” speaks for itself - the action has taken place, has ended.
For example: He has passed his exam. He passed the exam. That is WhatWith did you do? - passed, completed ( but not what did you do? - handed over).
Present Perfect Tense is used:
- in order to show that an action began in the past and lasted until the present moment e.g. 1) I have had a cold for a week. I've had a cold for a week now. 2) She has been at home for 10 minutes. She's home for 10 minutes. 3) Ann has loved apples since she was a little girl. Anya has loved apples since childhood.
to express an action that has taken place to date and the result of which is known. e.g. I have just talked to my wife. I just talked to my wife.
to describe experience e.g. He has been to Spain. He visited Spain.
in order to show changes that have occurred over a period of time e.g. The government has become more interested in higher education. The government has become more interested in higher education.
to describe achievements (without specifying a specific time in the past) e.g. Our daughter has learned how to write. Our daughter learned to write. Doctors have cured many deadly diseases. Doctors have found cures for many deadly diseases.
Marker words For Present Perfect Tense:
ever- ever, in any situation, in any case e.g. Have you ever heard about it?-Have you ever heard of this?
never - never e.g. She's never been to Mexico.— She has never been to Mexico.
recently- recently; the other day, recently. e.g. He’s been ill quite often recently.— He has been getting sick often lately.
lately- recently, recently e.g. I haven’t received any letters from him lately.
just- just now. more recently e.g. The taxi has just arrived.— The taxi has just arrived. IMPORTANT!!! With an adverb just now just now used e.g. I saw them just now. I just saw them.
alread y - already e.g. We've already told you what happened.- We already told you what happened.
yet- not yet, still (in interrogatives and negative sentences) e.g. He hasn’t seen the film yet.— He hasn’t watched this film yet.
for— during, in continuation e.g. We've known each other for half a year.- We've known each other for six months.
since- since then e.g. I have held two jobs since I graduated.- I have changed two jobs since I graduated.
this week- this week, this month- this month, this year- this year, provided that they indicate more unexpired periods of time. e.g. I haven’t seen her today. I haven't seen her today.
To make sentences in Present Perfect Tense, you need to know, namely, their third form (Past Participle)
THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
Present perfect tense
Affirmative form Present Perfect Tense
+
Question form Present Perfect Tense
| Structure | ||
|---|---|---|
|
you(you you) we(We) they(They) |
V3/Ved? |
|
|
he(He) she(she) it(it) |
||
| Examples | Translation | |
|
– Has your mother come? |
- Has your mother come? (the speaker is interested in the result) |
|
|
– Have you ever been to China? |
– Have you ever been to China? |
|
|
– Has he done his homework? |
– Did he do his homework? |
|
Wh-?
Special questions in Present Perfect Tense
(start with special words)
| Structure | |||
|---|---|---|---|
|
you(you you) we(We) they(They) |
|||
|
he(He) she(she) it(it) |
|||
| Examples | Translation | ||
|
What have you learned? |
What have you learned? |
||
|
Where has she been? |
|||
|
How has he found us? |
How did he find us? |
||
Important!!! Questions that begin with the adverb When? - when, require the use of the Past Simple rather than the Present Perfect, since such questions imply a past moment or period of time. e.g. When did you leave your country? When did you leave your country? |
|||
in Present Perfect Tense
— Who has finished this task? Who completed this task? - We have. We.
— Who has sent you this e-mail? - Who sent you this letter?
Negative form
Present Perfect Tense
—
Interrogative-negative form
Present Perfect Tense
(Speaking)
?-
Schematically the structure of the sentence in Present Perfect Tense looks like that:
+
S + have/has + V3/Ved.
?
Have/has + S + V3/Ved?
Wh - ?
Wh + have/has + S + V3/Ved?
–
S + haven’t/hasn’t + V3/Ved.
? –
Haven’t/hasn’t + S + V3/Ved?
Exercise. Watch the video and write down all the example sentences in Present Perfect Tense. Make up your own sentences in Present Perfect Tense using the written perfect forms.
Here you can find the Present Perfect Tense/English/Present Perfect Tense/English.
PRESENT PERFECT TENSE (THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE)
1. The present perfect tense indicates the connection of an action in the past with the present time, and also expresses an action that has ended by now.
Verbs in the present perfect tense are usually translated into Russian by verbs in the past perfect tense.
2. The affirmative form of the present perfect tense is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the present indefinite tense (has, have) and the past participle (Participle II) of the semantic verb.
3. The past participle of regular verbs is formed by adding the suffix -ed to the infinitive of the verb without the particle to. The suffix -ed is read according to the same rules as the past indefinite tense suffix.
to correct -corrected
to translate -translated translated
4. The past participle of irregular verbs is formed by changing the root vowel or the entire stem of the verb:
to come - come coming
to go go, go - gone gone
This article has not already been translated.
He has already translated this article.
They have done all the exercises.
They did all the exercises.
5. To form an interrogative form, the auxiliary verb to have is placed before the subject, and the past participle is placed after the subject:
Has he already translated this article?
Has he already translated this article?
Have they done all the exercises?
Have they done all the exercises?
6. To form a negative form, a negative particle not is placed after the auxiliary verb to have:
This article has not been translated.
He did not translate this article.
They have not done all the exercises.
7. B colloquial speech The shortened affirmative form and the shortened negative form are used (see chapter to have):
He's already translated this article.
He has already translated this article.
They"ve done all the exercises.
They did all the exercises.
This article hasn't been translated.
He did not translate this article.
They haven't done all the exercises.
They didn't do all the exercises.
THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE
Affirmative form
I have answered
He has answered
She has answered
It has answered
We have answered
You have answered
They have answered
Interrogative form
Have I answered?
Has he answered?
Has she answered?
Has it answered?
Have we answered?
Have you answered?
Have they answered?
Negative form
I have not answered
He has not answered
She has not answered
It has not answered
We have not answered
You have not answered
They have not answered
Using the present perfect tense
8. The present perfect tense is used:
a. To express a completed action, the time of which is not indicated at all:
The course of peace has won millions of friends and supporters.
The peace movement has won millions of friends and supporters.
b. To express a completed action, the time of completion of which is indicated by such adverbs or adverbial words as never never, ever, often often, just now, already already, yet yet, not yet yet, etc.:
I have never seen this launcher in action.
I've never seen this launcher in action.
c. To express a completed action, the time of completion of which is expressed by adverbs or adverbial words denoting a period of time that has not yet ended: today,
this week this week, this month this month, etc.:
She has passed her last exam today.
Today she passed her last exam.
d. To denote an action, the time of completion of which is expressed by adverbs or adverbial words indicating a whole period, the beginning or end of the period during which the action took place: for centuries, for five days, till seven to seven, since then since ten o'clock, etc.:
Since the establishment of this university some 25,000 specialists have graduated from it.
Since the founding of this university, about 25,000 specialists have graduated from it.
e. IN subordinate clauses conditions and tenses, the present perfect tense is used instead of the future perfect tense:
I shall not be able to make up my mind until I have studied this item.
I won't be able to make a decision until I study this issue.
Differences in the meaning and use of the present perfect and past indefinite tense
9. Verbs both in the present perfect and in the past indefinite tense are translated into Russian by past tense verbs.
A verb in the present perfect tense expresses an action that has completed at the time of speech, and what is of interest is the result of this action, and not the time of its commission.
If the time of action is of interest, then the past indefinite tense is used:
Compare:
I have been to the Crimea.
I was in Crimea.
I was in the Crimea last summer.
I was in Crimea last summer.
Today in our article we will look at how to use the verb tense in the present perfect, the rules for forming this grammatical form, examples of use and much more. It must be said that this is one of the most difficult tenses used in the English language. denotes someone’s action that took place (began) in the past, but at the same time is related to the present moment in time. That is, you can observe the result of this action in the present.
Present perfect: formation rules
The present perfect is formed as follows:
I/we/you/she/he/it + have or has + past participle
Means in the past tense). For so-called “regular” verbs (as we remember, the majority of them) can be obtained by adding the ending “-ed” at the very end of the word. This method is not suitable for “irregular” verbs; their past form must be learned by heart. Note that the helping verbs have and has are usually shortened to 've and 's, see:
In case of negation, you should use have not or has not, briefly we get haven’t/hasn’t.
Present Perfect: used correctly
It is often difficult for beginning students to understand when to use the Present Perfect tense, since it is often confused, for example, with the Past Simple. Read this section carefully, here we will look in great detail at the Present Perfect tense and the rules for its use:
- Present Perfect is used when we're talking about about actions that began in the past, but, nevertheless, they continue to this day. The words “for” and “since” are often found in such sentences:
This old beautiful building has stood on this square for three hundred fifty years - This old beautiful building has stood (and, in fact, continues to stand) on this square for 350 years.
I'm starving. I haven’t eaten since lunch - I’m incredibly hungry. I haven't eaten anything since lunch.
Maria has been to London once, but she would like to travel there again - Maria has already been to London once, but she would like to visit there again.
- The present past tense is used with these phrases: this year/day/week/month, recently, ever, yet. It can be seen that the time period is not defined, but it is closely related to the present. Eg:
Have they heard from John recently? -Have they heard anything about Mark lately?
I’ve been in a lot of places last few weeks - Over the past few weeks, I’ve been to a lot of places.
I’ve had five cups of green tea today - I’ve already drunk 5 cups of green tea today
- As for the Present Perfect tense: the rules for its use also apply to those situations when we can already see the result of some action. For example:
The earthquake has destroyed the industry in the whole region - The earthquake destroyed the industry of the whole region (as a result, the region still has problems with industrial production).
Present Perfect is the short and most common name for the tense, the rules of use of which we have just examined. We hope that our article helped you understand this difficult grammatical topic. And remember - everything is learned in practice, that is, the more exercises you do to consolidate the use of the present perfect tense, the fewer mistakes you will make in the future. Note also that the Present Perfect is a rather simple tense to use compared, for example, with the rules of which imply both the formation of a complex construction (have or has been + Verb-ing) and use in cases when the action began in the past, but at the same time it has not ended yet and, moreover, continues to this day. One way or another, only practice will help you master the English language at a sufficient level to speak and write clearly and competently.