PRESENT PERFECT

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

Form      : have + past participle

Meaning : The present perfect tense gives the idea that one thing happens before another time or event.

• The present perfect is used to express the idea that something happened before now, at an unspecified time in the past. In this case of present perfect, The specific time it happened is not important.

Example :

-  Bill has arrived here three days ago.

-  They have moved into the new house.

-  I have already done my assignment.

-  I have already eaten. (I finished eating sometime before now. The act time is not important in this tense)

• The present perfect is also used to express the repetition of an activity before now. The exact time of that repetition is not important.

Example :

-  I have had five tests so far this semester.

-  They have flown on the airplane many times.

-  I have met may people since I came to this school in April.

-  I have written seven articles in my blog. (I finished writing sometime before now. It is possible that I will continue my activity to write my article in my blog)

• Usually, the present perfect also, when used with for and since, expresses a situation that began in the past and continues to the present.

Example :

-  I have been here since ten o'clock.

-  I have been here for two weeks.

-  I have had this motor cycle since I was in Senior High School.

-  I have had this same pair of shoes for three years.

Can you see the differences between for and since ? Look at the following explanation.

-  since + a particular time.

     I have been here since ten o'clock. (ten o'clock is a particular time)

-  for + a duration of time

      I have been here for two weeks. (two weeks is a duration of time)