Present Perfect Verb Tense in English
Present Perfect Verb Tense
English Grammar Lesson
Introduction
English has several ways to talk about the past. Most commonly, we use two verb tenses. The:
simple past verb tense
present perfect verb tense
…
Simple Past Verb Tense
We use the simple past verb tense when we talk about:
• a past action that
• started and ended.
These simple past verbs typically (though not always) have an -ed ending.
Example
“I walked to school today.”
Here, I used the simple past verb “walked” because the action of “walking to school” had a distinct beginning and end.
However, what if I had said…
“I have walked to school before.”
Here, the listener doesn’t know exactly when I walked to school. It was just some time in the general past. It could have been last week or it could have been two years ago!
Rule: Present Perfect Verb Tense
We use the present perfect verb tense instead of the simple past when:
• we talk about something that happened in a non-specific, general time in the past; and
• this action may have some connection, continuation or significance to the present.
Form
To form the present perfect verb tense, use the present tense of “have”:
[have/has] + [negative] + [past participle of verb]
Example
“He has developed several mobile apps already.”
Note that when speaking, Native English speakers will often de-stress (delete the “h” in) or contract the verb “have” or “has” and attach it to the subject before it to speak with greater efficiency and music.
How to Contract and De-stress the Verb “Have” or “Has”
“I have” → “I’ve” or [ɑiyəv]
“You have” → “you’ve” or [yuwəv]
“He has” → “he’s” or [hiyəz]
“She has” → “she’s” or [ʃiyəz]
“It has” → “it’s” or [ɪtəz]
“We have” → “we’ve” or [wiyəv]
“They have” → “they’ve” or [ðeyəv]
Got it?
Let’s practice.
Notice that the present perfect verb tense is often used with the time words, “already”, “yet”, “still”.
Listen and Repeat
“I have never been to New York, but I’ve always wanted to go!”
“She has always been a good student.”
“We have wanted to buy a new house for a long time.”
“He has already studied two foreign languages.”
“They still haven’t interviewed my mother about the new position.”
“I have worked at this company for 17 years.”
“Haven’t you done your homework yet?”
(Notice how the [t] + [y] → “ch” [tʃ]).
Remember, you do NOT need to use all of these pronunciation rules when you speak. And there’s no need to try to sound exactly like a native English speaker. Your individual accent gives you special character and carries your heritage in your speaking. Those are beautiful things to hold on to. What’s important is that you speak clearly, so that you can speak confidently, and that you learn pronunciation rules to improve your listening skills.
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