The Present Perfect Simple is formed with have/has and the past

participle of the main verb.

EXAMPLES OF REGULAR PAST PARTICIPLE VERB FORMS

The past simple tense and past participle of all regular verbs end in -ed.

Example:

BASE VERB PAST SIMPLE PAST PARTICIPLE

WantStudyWork

WantedStudiedWorked

WantedStudiedWorked

PRONUNCIATION OF REGULAR SIMPLE PAST AND PAST PARTICIPLE VERB FORMS

EXAMPLES OF IRREGULAR PAST PARTICIPLE VERB FORMS

BASE VERB PAST PARTICIPLEAriseBeatCatchRise

ArisenBeatenCaughtRisen

Function 1: Unspecified time:

We use the Present Perfect Simple for an action which has happened in the past but we do not know exactly when, or when it happened is not important.

  Example: He has visited Spain. (We do not know when he

visited Spain).

Function 2: Repetition

The Present Perfect Simple is used to describe something that has happened many (or a couple of) times in the past.

Examples: I’ve traveled to Brazil

many times. I've eaten at that

restaurant twice. John Grisham has written

a few books."

Function 3: an action or situation that started in the past, continues until now, and may or may not continue into the future

Example: The house has been empty for ages. 

 

Examples: I've done my

homework. You’ve fixed the car He’s built the building. She’s prepared the

food. It’s eaten the food. We’ve visited the

museum. They’ve listened to

the song.

When speaking Present Perfect Simple, people usually contract the subject and the auxiliary verb. (It is not recommended to do that in formal writing).

TIME ADVERBS USED WITH THE PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

THE USE OF EVER

We use ever in questions. (Do not use ever in affirmative statements.)

Example: Have you ever visited Brazil?

Use ever in questions to ask about someone’s life experiences:

E.g.: Has she ever been to Paris?

E.g.: Have you ever tried ajiaco?

THE USE OF BEFORE

Use before in questions to ask about someone’s life experiences:

E. g: Have you tried ajiaco before?

Use before in present perfect simple in affirmative sentences. Use it at the end of the sentences.

E. g: I’ve been to Asia before.

THE USE OF NEVER

We use never in statements:

E.g.: I’ve never visited Cyprus.

Use never in negative sentences:

E. g: Have you tried tamal? No, I’ve never tried tamal.

THE USE OF YET

Use yet at the end of questions in the present perfect simple to ask about recent experiences. (Do not use yet in perfect affirmative statements.)

E. g: Have you tried ajiaco yet?

Use yet in negative statements:

E. g: No, I haven’t tried ajiaco yet.

THE USE OF ALREADY

Use already in affirmative sentences and questions. Put already before the main verb or at the end of the sentence. (Do not use already in negative statements.)

Examples: I’ve already visited

London. OR I’ve visited London already.

Have you already visited London? OR have you visited London already?

THE USE OF FOR

When talking about the length of time (duration), we use the present perfect with for + a period of time. For example: a few days, half an hour, two years.

E. g: I’ve lived here for five years.

THE USE OF SINCE

Use since with a stated start time (a starting point) in the past. So use the present perfect with since + a point in time.

E. g: I’ve lived here since 2002.

http://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/elc/studyzone/410/grammar/pperf1.htm

http://www.englishpage.com/verbpage/verbs6.htm

http://www.ego4u.com/en/read-on/countries/uk/tour/loch-ness

http://www.ego4u.com/en/cram-up/tests/present-perfect-simple-1

http://www.eclecticenglish.com/grammar/PresentPerfect1D.html

BIBLIOGRAPHY

SASLOW, Joan; ASCHER, Allen. Top Notch 2. Pearson Longman. United States of America, 2006.

Present Perfect Simple. Document taken from: http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present-perfect_s.htm

Present Perfect Simple. Document taken from: http://www.learn4good.com/languages/evrd_grammar/presentp.htm