This introductory lesson on the Present Perfect tense provides learners with a clear and structured understanding of how to form and use the Present Perfect in English.
Through engaging explanations, examples, and interactive exercises, students will explore key aspects such as verb structure, past participles (regular and irregular),
and usage contexts. Special focus is given to common expressions with “ever” and “never,” helping learners to apply the tense accurately in both spoken and written English.
Learning Outcomes
Identify the structure of the Present Perfect tense using the verb "have" + past participle.
Differentiate between positive, negative, and question forms of the Present Perfect.
Recognize and use regular and irregular past participles.
Apply the Present Perfect to describe recent actions and life experiences.
Use "ever" and "never" correctly in questions and negative statements within the Present Perfect tense.
Demonstrate understanding through practice exercises that reinforce correct usage and form.
1- Form
We form the Present Perfect using the present tense of have + a past participle:
Positive
I/you have arrived → I've arrived
he/she/it has arrived → he's arrived
we/you/they have arrived → we've arrived
Negative
I/you have not arrived → haven't
he/she/it has not arrived → hasn't
we/you/they have not arrived → haven't
Questions
Have I/you arrived?
Has he/she/it arrived?
Have we/you/they arrived?
2- Regular and Irregular Past Participles
Regular past participles end in -ed or -d:
Examples: played, travelled, arrived, washed
Many past participles are irregular:
Examples: buy → bought, go → gone, make → made
3- Usage
We use the Present Perfect:
To talk about recent actions:
At 18.00, Anne arrived home. At 18.01: Anne has arrived home. From 18.30 to 19.00, Anne ate dinner. At 19.01: She's eaten her dinner.
To talk about our lives:
I've sailed across the Atlantic. I've seen gorillas in Africa. I haven't danced the Flamenco.
4- Ever and Never
We often use ever (at any time) in questions:
Have you ever been to Australia?
We use never (at no time) in negative statements:
I've never learnt French.
Note: Ever and never come before the past participle.
Practice
Practice what you learned with interactive exercises.