Present Perfect

1
Present Perfect

• Have you ever studied this before?

2
Conjugation

• Have/Has Past Participle
• I have (go, went, GONE) to Nicaragua many times.
• She has known Marc for 8 months.
• They havent spoken in a long time.
• Has he finished his project yet?

3
Why use the PP if Im talking about the past?

• Rule 1 We use the PP to talk about actions that
  occurred in the past at an unspecified time.
• I havent talked to him yet.
• She has already eaten.
• We have never taken a vacation.

4
Key words

• Already
• Yet
• Never, ever
• Before
• Recently
• Lately
• Many times, etc (with no specific time reference)

5
Is it the same as the present?

• Rule 2 Use the present perfect to describe
  actions that began in the past but that are still
  continuing in the present (often with since and
  for)
• I have played piano for 10 years. (I still play)
• She has lived in Paris since last October. (she
  moved there in October and still lives there)

6
Since or For?

• Since tells when the action began
• since last Saturday
• since November
• For tells the length of time
• for five days
• for 18 months

7
Confused?

• Simple Past
• I worked at the bookstore for two years (from
  2005-2007)
• He travelled to China last year.
• She taught French in 2003.

• Present Perfect
• I have worked at the bookstore for two years (I
  started two years ago and still work there now)
• He has gone to China. (before)
• She has never taught French.

8
More confusion

• Simple Present
• They know each other.
• He studies Chemistry and Physics.
• We dont have a car anymore.

• Present Perfect
• They have known each other since last July (They
  met in July)
• He has studied Chemistry for 6 months.
• We havent had a car since the accident.

9
Typical errors

• Many native English speakers dont use the PP
  properly. You might hear
• I seen her yesterday. (YIKES!!!)
• I have seen her (before)
• Did you eat yet?
• Have you eaten yet?
• He already left.
• He has already left.

10
Can I make those errors?

• NO! Please dont.

11
Tell us

• How long have you lived in?
• How often have you gone skiing?
• What is one food that you have never eaten that
  you would like to try?
• Have you ever cheated on an exam?
• Have you ever gone to a surprise party?
• Have you ever been in a fist fight?
• Have you ever tripped over your feet?

12
Wrap it up!

• Stop translating from your native language into
  English. It is now time to start thinking in
  English and applying the rules.
• Using the Present Perfect correctly will make you
  sound like a more fluent speaker.
• Good Luck!
• Have you learned anything from this presentation?