Present Perfect
Present Perfect
Present Perfect
The present perfect tense is a verb tense used to express actions that occurred at a non-specific time. The
present perfect tense is also used to express actions that started in the past but continue to the present.
We use the present perfect for actions which started in the past and are still happening now or for finished
actions which have a connection to the present.
The present perfect tense expresses actions that happened at a time that is not specific.
Actions of duration that occurred in the past (before now) of unspecified time.
Actions that started in the past but continue to the present.
Actions that started in the past but stopped recently.
Ex. They have known each other since they were children.
PAST PRESENT
This started in the past and continue to the present
Affirmative Sentence
Negative Sentence
Interrogative Sentence
has drawn is a Present Perfect Tense. In the second picture, Snoopy has finished drawing and is sitting
near the board. The sentence numbered 2 means, Snoopy drew picture. As a result of Snoopy’s past action,
his picture is now on the board. The present perfect Tense has drawn joins the past to the present.
When the time between the past action and now is very short, we often put just in the sentence and say:
Snoopy has just drawn picture on the board. Notice that we put just between has and drawn.
has drunk is a Present Perfect Tense. In the second picture, Snoopy has finished drinking and is holding
the empty glass in his hand. Snoopy drank a glass of milk, and the glass is now empty.
For actions of duration that occurred in the past (before now) but are of unspecified time.
These examples indicate that the action is completed. Furthermore, all of these actions occurred before the
present. Each of these statements also expresses that the actions occurred over a period of time rather than
a single moment in time.
For actions that started in the past but continue to the present.
These examples indicate that the action began at a time before now. Additionally, these actions continue
on into the present and will likely extend to the future.
What is important to note is that the completion of these actions actually puts a focus on the present or on
the result of the action. The “I have lost” example, especially, puts emphasis on the “now.”
JAPANESE
The present perfect tense is commonly used with the indefinite time adverbs (time expressions)
Just
Already
An action that has happened at an unspecified time before now. It suggests that there is no need for
repetition. It can be placed before the main verb (past participle) or at the end of the sentence.
Ex: What time does the film start? It has already started.
Yet
For
Talk about a period or duration of time. It doesn’t have to be an exact number, but it needs to refer to a
period of time.
Since
Ever/Never
We do not use the present perfect tense when we say when something happens. In such cases, we use
the simple past tense.
Right Wrong
She died three years ago. She has died three years ago.