Lesson

Present perfect - I have done

Present perfect basics

≈ 15 min 8 block(s)

Text

What is the Present Perfect (I have done)?

The present perfect links past actions or states to the present. It's formed with have/has + past participle. Use it to talk about experiences, recent events with present relevance, actions that started in the past and continue now, and completed actions with a present result.

  • Formation: have/has + past participle (e.g., I have finished).
  • Uses: life experience, results now, unfinished time periods, recent actions.
  • Common time words: already, yet, just, ever, never, for, since.

Table

Present Perfect: structure and examples

Structure Meaning / Use Example
have/has + past participle Experience (life): something someone has or hasn't done I have visited London.
have/has + past participle Recent action with present result She has sent the invoice (so you can pay now).
have/has + past participle Actions started in past and continuing now (with for/since) We have worked here since 2019.
have/has + past participle Completed action in unfinished time period (this week, today) They have closed three deals this month.

Tip

Key rule: formation and position

Form the present perfect with have/has + past participle. Use it when a past action connects to now.

  • Use have for I/You/We/They, has for He/She/It.
  • Past participles: regular verbs add -ed (finished), irregular verbs vary (written, gone).
  • Negatives: have/has + not + past participle (They have not replied).
  • Questions: Have/Has + subject + past participle? (Have you signed?)

Check the subject to choose have or has; learn common irregular past participles.

Example

Examples in context

I have submitted the report to finance.

She has worked at the company since 2018.

They have already signed the contract.

Have you ever attended an international conference?

Tip

Common mistakes to avoid

Learners often make predictable errors with the present perfect. Watch for these.

  • Using past simple with unspecified time: 'I saw that movie' vs 'I have seen that movie.'
  • Forgetting have/has and using only the past participle: 'I finished' instead of 'I have finished' when appropriate.
  • Using finished past time expressions (yesterday, last week) with present perfect.
  • Incorrect past participle forms (e.g., 'I have went' instead of 'I have gone').
  • Placing yet/just/already incorrectly in the sentence (position differs between affirmative and negative/questions).
  • Confusing for and since: 'for' with durations, 'since' with a starting point.

Check time expressions and the verb form (have/has + past participle) before finalizing your sentence.

Quiz

Choose the correct sentence using the present perfect:

Hint: Focus on verb form and the time expression.

Quiz

Complete: She _____ with the client for ten years.

Hint: Think about a situation that began in the past and continues to the present; check subject-verb agreement.

Quiz

Choose the sentence that asks about life experience in present perfect:

Hint: Focus on question formation and the use of 'ever' for experience.

Key Points

GrammarPoint

present perfect

grammar_point CEFR B1 //ˈprɛzənt ˈpɜːrfɪkt//

A verb tense formed with have/has + past participle that links past actions to the present.

We have completed the audit this quarter.

GrammarPoint

past participle

noun CEFR B1 //pɑːst ˈpɑːrtɪsɪpl//

The verb form used after have/has in perfect tenses (regular: finished; irregular: gone, written).

The past participle of 'write' is 'written'.

Vocabulary

for

preposition CEFR A2 //fɔːr//

Used to indicate the duration of an action (e.g., for three years).

I have worked here for five years.

Vocabulary

since

preposition CEFR A2 //sɪns//

Used to indicate the starting point of an action that continues (e.g., since 2019).

She has been manager since 2019.

Vocabulary

already

adverb CEFR B1 //ɔːlˈrɛdi//

Used in affirmative sentences to say that something happened sooner than expected.

They have already approved the budget.

Vocabulary

yet

adverb CEFR B1 //jɛt//

Used in negative sentences and questions to talk about something expected that has not happened (or to check if it has happened).

Have you received the package yet?