Present Perfect – Grammar & Verb Tenses

ESL Library Present Perfect What are verb tenses? Verb tenses show if an action takes place in the past, present, or future. The present perfect is a verb tense.

We use the present perfect tense for two reasons. The present perfect can show a finished past action. It doesn't show when this action took place.

For example: I have been to Australia. The present perfect can also show a continuing action. It shows an action that started in the past and continues to the present.

This action might continue into the future too. For example: I have lived in Toronto for two years. The present perfect is formed with the auxiliary verb have and the past participle form of the main verb.

Have changes forms depending on the subject. I have finished my homework. She has worked at this office for 12 years.

My friends have seen that movie. With regular verbs, we use the verb + -ed to form the past participle. For example, the past participle of the verb walk is walked.

With irregular verbs, the past participle changes into a different form. We do not use -ed. For example, the past participle of the verb eat is eaten.

Here are some examples of irregular verbs in their base form, past form, and past participle form. Listen and repeat. be, was or were, been do, did, done drink, drank, drunk eat, ate, eaten go, went, gone have, had, had run, ran, run say, said, said sleep, slept, slept write, wrote, written He has eaten breakfast.

We have had a dog for eight years. My best friend has moved to another city. Look at the picture and say or write a present perfect sentence.

For example: I have lived in Australia all my life. Now you try! Thanks for watching!