B1 Grammar • Light Theme
Present Perfect — Form & Use
Clear rules, common time expressions, been vs gone, for vs since, and how it contrasts with the Past Simple.
Form
Build it
have/has + past participle (V3) → regular -ed / irregular 3rd form
Positive
- I/You/We/They have seen it.
- He/She/It has finished.
Short forms: ’ve / ’s
Negative
- I/You/We/They haven’t seen it.
- He/She/It hasn’t finished.
Use haven’t/hasn’t + V3
Questions & short answers
| Question | Short answer |
|---|---|
| Have you finished yet? | Yes, I have. / *Yes, I’ve. |
| Has she called? | No, she hasn’t. |
Use
When do we use the Present Perfect?
- Past events with no time given (relevant now)
I have broken my arm. • She has found a job.
- Recent events with just, already, yet, recently
He has just called. • I’ve already finished. • Have you finished yet?
- Life experiences (time not stated) — with ever, never, before, superlatives + ever
Have you ever eaten insects? • I’ve never read that book. • It’s the best film I’ve ever seen.
- How many times up to now
I’ve watched it three times. • We’ve been to Paris twice.
- Unfinished time or situations from past → now — with for, since, how long, all + time, latelystill true
We’ve been married for 25 years. • I’ve lived here since 2012. • How long have you been friends?
Don’t use ago with the Present Perfect. Say “I’ve had this watch for two years,” not “since two years ago.”
Time words
Typical expressions
- just, already, yet, recently, lately
- today, this week/month/year (period not finished)
- ever, never, before
- for + period • since + point in time • all + time
Have you seen Ted today? (today isn’t finished)
Been vs. Gone
Where is the person now?
- has gone to — the person is there now.
Tom has gone to Ireland. (He’s in Ireland.) - has been to — the person visited and returned.
We have been to Ireland three times.
For vs Since
Choose the right linker
for + period
- for two hours
- for three years
- for a long time
since + point in time
- since Monday
- since 2012
- since I was a kid
Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Use the Present Perfect when…
- When it happened is not stated or not important.
I have lost my keys.
- The time period is unfinished (today / this week / this year).
I have seen her today.
- You introduce news/experience; details may follow in Past Simple.
A: I have been to the cinema. — B: What did you see?
Use the Past Simple when…
- You say or ask when it happened, or you use a finished time.
*We’ve arrived yesterday.
We arrived yesterday. - You give details about a finished past event.
I’ve broken my arm. It happened when I fell off my bike.
Exercises:
Present Perfect
1
painting the bedroom yet? ‘Not yet. I’ll finish it tomorrow.’
2
I
much last year.
3
I
a lot this year.
4
a holiday recently?
5
We
last week.
6
We
here for five days.
7
Mr Barnes
here for 30 years.
8
He loves gardening. He
a gardener all his life.
9
anything like this before?
10
My mother
in Scotland.
Present Perfect
1
Maria isn’t here. She ____ to the bank.
A.
B.
C.
2
I can’t find my keys — I ____ them. I ____ them in the kitchen ten minutes ago.
A.
B.
C.
3
____ to Paris? — Yes, I ____ there in 2019.
A.
B.
C.
4
We ____ in this city since 2015.
A.
B.
C.
5
I ____ lunch yet.
A.
B.
C.
6
He ____ the report yesterday, but he ____ it to the boss yet.
A.
B.
C.
7
Breaking news: The government ____ a new tax. They ____ details at a press conference at 11 p.m.
A.
B.
C.
8
When ____ to Japan? — I ____ there on business three years ago.
A.
B.
C.
9
She ____ her leg, so she can’t play today.
A.
B.
C.
10
I ____ him this week, but I ____ him at the party last Saturday.
A.
B.
C.
Present Perfect
1
We (know) each other since primary school.
2
I (lose) my keys. Can you help me look for them?
3
She (not/finish) her homework yet.
4
I (never/try) surfing, but I'd love to.
5
We (be) to Paris three times.
6
I (visit) Paris in 2019.
7
(you/see) the new exhibition yet?
8
I (see) Emma at the café yesterday.
9
He (just/call) you — try phoning him back.
10
When (you/finish) your report? — Last night.