The present perfect tenses
The present perfect simple
Definition
The present perfect simple tense is to talk about a period that started in the past and that continues up to now. (The period may still be going on.) We either talk about the whole period or about an undefined moment in that period.
Formation
In affirmative statements:
HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:
- I have worked in the garden since this morning.
- He has ('s) given a correct answer to the question.
In negative statements:
HAVE NOT + PAST PARTICIPLE
HAS NOT + PAST PARTICIPLE
Examples:
- You haven't worked in the garden since last week.
- He has not left the building.
In questions and answers:
HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE
HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE
HAD / HAS is repeated in short answers.
Examples:
- Have you worked a lot on that project? Yes, I have.
- What have you done on that project? Not much, I'm afraid.
Exercises on the present perfect simple
The present perfect continuous
Definition
The present perfect continuous tense is to talk about a period that started in the past and continues up to now. The period may still be going on.
Formation
In affirmative statements:
HAVE BEEN + ING-FORM
HAS BEEN + ING-FORM
Examples:
- I have been working on that bike for more than 12 hours.
- The police have been looking for the thieves since the day of the robbery.
In negative statements:
HAVE NOT BEEN + ING-FORM
HAS NOT BEEN + ING-FORM
Examples:
- I have not (haven't) been working for hours.
- He has not been working since 7 o'clock.
In questions and answers:
HAVE BEEN + ING-FORM
HAS BEEN + ING-FORM
HAD / HAS is repeated in short answers.
Examples:
- Have you been working? Yes, I have.
- Has she been training? No, she hasn't.