Present-Perfect Tense

Ashley E. WhiteESL 502

What Is The Same?

• I have ridden a pony.

• I have not ridden an elephant.

• I have run a marathon.

• I have not run a marathon.

• All of the sentences use the phrase “I have” to describe an event that did or did not happen in the past.

What’s The Same?

• I rode a pony yesterday.

• I did not ride an elephant last weekend.

• I ran a marathon on Thursday.

• I did not run in a marathon this year.

• These sentences all describe a past event and provide a specified time (yesterday, last weekend, Thursday, this year).

Compare Each Group!

Group 1• I have ridden a pony.

• I have not ridden a elephant.

• I have run a marathon.

• I have not run a marathon.

Group 2• I rode a pony

yesterday.

• I did not ride an elephant last weekend.

• I ran a marathon on Thursday.

• I did not run in a marathon this year.

Interesting Differences!

Group 1 Present Perfect

• The sentences in group 1 all use the phrase “I have.”

• The sentences all discuss experiences or memories from the past.

• Specific dates and times of events are not given.

Group 2 Simple Past

• The sentences in group 2 do not include the phrase “I have.”

• The sentences discuss past experiences and memories that are over & will NOT continue in the future.

• Specific dates and times are given.

When To Use The Present-Perfect Tense• To tell about an event or memory that

does not include a specific time or date.• I have been stung by a bee.

• To tell about an event that repeats.• I have been to Africa three times.

• To tell about an event or activity that started in the past but may continue.• I have a headache.

Think-Pair-Share!

• Read the sentences below. Discuss each sentence with a partner. Is the word “have” used correctly? Is the sentence present-perfect tense or past tense?

1. I have a dog when I was 2.

2. I have seen the Eiffel tower four times.

3. I have not broken a bone before.

Asking Questions

• You can use the present-perfect tense to ask a question such as: Have you ever seen an alien?

• Notice that the above question does not include a specified date/time.

• How might you respond to this question? (Think-Pair-Share)

• Appropriate answer: No, I have not seen an alien.

More Questions!

• When you make statements, ask, and answer questions in the present-perfect tense, the word order in a sentence changes. For example:

• Statement: I have seen a shooting star.

• Question: Have you seen a shooting star?

• What words have been rearranged in the sentences?

Playful Practice

• On your whiteboard, turn the following statement into a question: I have eaten crab.

• Answer this question in the present-perfect tense: Have you ever flown on an airplane?

• For independent practice, please visit: Present Perfect Game