THE PRESENT PERFECT

SUBJECTS POSITIVE NEGATIVE

I YOU WE

THEY

HAVE DONE HAVEN’T

DONE

HE SHE IT HAS DONE HASN’T

DONE

THE PRESENT PERFECT

• We use the present perfect for actions thatstarted in the past but influence the presentand may continue up to the future.

s. present

………….. future

s. past

present

perfect

UNFINISHED ACTIONS

• The Present Perfect is formed with the auxiliaryverb have/has + the past participle form of themain verb.

I have played for… I haven’t played for…

She has studied since… She hasn’t studied since...

They have eaten for… They haven’t eaten for…

We have written since…. We haven’t written since..

Sam has slept for… Sam hasn’t slept for….

THESE EXPRESSIONS ARE NEVER USED WITH THE PRESENT PERFECT

Yesterday, a week ago, two days ago, last year, and other similar ones if they aren’t in combination withthe words since or for.

Since yesterdayFor two weeks

I have bought my book yesterday. (wrong!!!)I have read my book since yesterday (right!!)

SIMPLE PAST VS. PRESENT PERFECT

The simple past indicatesa finished action.

I did my homework yesterday.

Karen studied for two hours.

We ate fried fish last week.

They went to the park.

The present pefectindicates an unfinishedaction.

I have done my homework.

Karen has studied for twohours.

We have eaten fish manytimes.

They’ve gone to the park threetimes this month.

CONTRACTED FORMS

AFFIRMATIVE

I have / I’ve

You have / You’ve

We have / We’ve

They have / They have

She has / She’s

He has / He’s

It has / It’s

NEGATIVE

I have not / I haven’t

You have not / You haven’t

We have not / We haven’t

They have not / They haven’t

She has not / She hasn’t

He has not / He hasn’t

It has not / It hasn’t