Present Perfect Tense: Definition, Structure and Uses
International English Language Testing System ( IELTS )
We use the present perfect tense to talk about actions that happened in the near past and still affect the present. The Present Perfect Tense is considered the toughest form of tense to understand and students make grammatical. Regularly practising present perfect tense structure will help you to ace the exams.
Have plans to appear in the upcoming English Proficiency exams? Want to assess your English proficiency? Having good knowledge of English grammar and tense rules is an advantage to score well in IELTS Exam. In this blog, we have covered the Present Perfect Tense in detail. We have also added relevant examples that will help you to understand sentence formation.
We use the present perfect tense to talk about actions that happened in the near past and still have an effect on the present. It is slightly complicated to understand. According to the Present Perfect Tense Structure, It uses the auxiliary verb or helping verb and V3 (third form of verb). For example- I have lost my keys (Keys are still missing).
Learn about the tenses in English grammar with examples here.
Table of Contents
- What is Present Perfect Tense?
- Present Perfect Tense Structure
- Use of Present Perfect Tense?
- Common Mistakes Students Make in the Present Perfect Tense Sentences
- Present Perfect Tense Example for Practice
What is Present Perfect Tense?
Present perfect tense is a form of Present tense which is used to represent an action that just happened in the recent past and is still directly related to the present. We have mentioned a definition that will help you to understand more easily.
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Present Perfect Tense Definition
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, the definition of Present perfect tense is “The tense you use to talk about actions or events that happen in both the past and the present”.
Examples of Present Perfect Tense
- Positive- I have come a long way.
- Negative- I have not come a long way.
- Interrogative- Have I come a long way?
- Interrogative Negative- Haven’t I come a long way?
Present Perfect Tense Structure
Here is the sentence structure or formula of the Present Perfect Tense.
| Present Perfect Tense Structure |
||
|---|---|---|
| Positive |
Subject + have/has + past participle (V3) + the rest of the sentence |
I/you/they/we (S) have eaten (V3). |
| Negative |
Subject + have/has + not + past participle (V3) + the rest of the sentence |
You have not eaten. |
| Interrogative |
Have/has + subject + past participle (V3) + the rest of the sentence |
Have we eaten? |
| Negative Interrogative |
Have/has + subject + not + past participle (V3) + the rest of the sentence |
Has she not eaten? |
You must understand the rules of structure formation to learn the Present Perfect Tense. The rules mentioned in this table will help you to understand the rules and structure of Present Perfect Tense.
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Use of Present Perfect Tense
Now, let us understand the uses of Present Perfect Tense in different situations to inform about an incident that happened in past but still affecting your life in the present. We have also mentioned sentences that will help you to learn the formation and rules.
| Situations |
Present Perfect Tense Sentences |
|---|---|
| Action Begins in Past but Affects You in Present |
|
| Action Completed With Undefined Timing |
(In both cases, time is undefined but the main focus is on “Eat” and “Visit”). |
| Timing Based |
(Here, we added “Just” to show that actions happened recently. Present perfect tense won’t work with “Yesterday”, “Last week” or previous year.) |
The present perfect lets you talk about things that started in the past but are still happening in the present.
Is Knowledge of Present Perfect Tense Helpful for Exams?
Duolingo English Test, PTE Exam, and TOEFL Exam are some of the popularly known English proficiency tests. These tests assess your Listening, writing, and speaking skills in the English language. Knowledge of Present Perfect Tense structure will help you in sentence formation. In these tests, you may need to explain a life experience that happened in the past. Also, how it changed your life. There, you need to use the Present perfect tense.
Present Perfect Tense Example in Interview:
Hi, My name is XYZ. I have studied at the University of Oxford, which is one of the top universities in the world. I have volunteered at local NGOs to help street animals. It has helped me to improve my communication. I have learnt several new skills in my student days that is helping me to overcome my fears.
Some More Examples
- Beginner Level- I have eaten.
- Intermediate Level- I have eaten too much cake.
- Advanced Level- I have eaten too much cake and now I am facing issues.
Common Mistakes Students Make in the Present Perfect Tense Sentences
Here are some common mistakes that students make while framing their sentences with the Present Perfect Tense Structure.
- No Knowledge About Past Participle- Students should avoid this common mistake. They do not use proper verb form and make the sentences incorrect.
- I have gone (Correct).
- I have went there. (Incorrect).
- Subject-verb agreement errors- Mostly, students do not know the correct “use of Has and Have”. They use “has” with “I, We, and You.
- Ram has played football in the morning, so he is resting now. (Correct)
- We has played football in the morning, so we are resting now. (Incorrect)
- Not Knowing the Difference between Different Forms of Tenses- It looks like a very common mistake but this can lead you to blunders and you can lose your score in the IELTS exam.
- I have just met Rohit Sharma. (Correct)
- I have met Rohit Sharma last week. (Incorrect)
In the first sentence, the incident happened recently but in the second sentence, the incident happened last week. According to the Present Perfect Rules, we can’t use “Yesterday”, “Last week” or the previous year.
Also Read:
Difference Between Present Perfect Tense and Simple Past Tense
Many students with weak English grammar get confused between Present Perfect and Simple Past Tense. This confusion can lead to mistakes and you can lose some scores in English proficiency tests. Well, understanding the basic difference between these two tenses can help you avoid these errors.
|
|
Simple Past Tense |
Present Perfect Tense |
|---|---|---|
| Definition |
The simple past tense focuses on completed actions in the past. You can easily identify these sentences by looking for time markers, such as yesterday, last week, or specific dates. |
In the present perfect tense, the action begins in past but is still ongoing or impacting the present.
|
| For Example |
I played football last night. (Here action completed in past). |
I have played football for 5 years. (Action begins in past and is still ongoing). |
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| IELTS Books & Resources | IELTS Practice Test Papers |
Present Perfect Tense Example for Practice
Now that you're familiar with the definition, structure, and uses of the present perfect tense, it's time to clear your concept through practice. There are multiple tools and resources available online where you can assess your knowledge. An effective practice plan is to make sentences using your own life experiences. This approach will help you prepare for your upcoming proficiency exams. Below, we have mentioned some sentences for you to practice.
Beginner Level
- We haven't seen that movie yet. (unfinished action)
- They have bought a new car. (completed action)
- Have you ever climbed a mountain? (question - lifetime experience)
- They have written five essays this semester. (achievement)
- We haven't received any mail this week. (unfinished action)
- She has visited all seven continents. (achievement)
- I have eaten too much chocolate! (recent completion)
- They have climbed Mount Everest. (achievement)
- I have lost my phone! (completed action)
- Have you ever seen a shooting star? (question - lifetime experience)
Fill in the Blanks: Beginner-Level
In these 10 Sentences of Present Perfect Tense, you have to fill in Has/Have in one place and the verb in the second place.
- I ___________ _________lunch in the new restaurant in our city (third form of “EAT”).
- Rohan_____ ____ the stadium yet but we are going today. (third form of “VISIT”).
- ________ you ever_______ Shushi? (third form of “EAT”).
- _______ she _____ football in ground? (third form of “PLAY”).
- Kamal _____ ______ his keys. (third form of “LOSE”).
- _______ Rohit ______ the world cup yet? (third form of “WIN”)
- I _______, _____ my work. (third form of “FINISH”)
- ______ she _____ football? (third form of “PLAY”)
- We _____, ______ that movie yet. (third form of "WATCH").
- He ____, ______ three novels so far. (third form of "WRITE")
Answers
| 1. Have, Eaten |
2. Has, Visited |
3. Have, Eaten |
4. Has, Played |
5. Has, Lost |
| 6. Haven’t, Won |
7. Have not, Finished |
8. Has, Played |
9. Hasn't, Watched |
10. Has, Written |
Intermediate Level
- I have woken up early every day this week. (habit)
- We have already made breakfast. (recent completion)
- I have just finished reading that book. (very recent action)
- You have just started learning a new language. (very recent action)
- She has lived in this city for ten years. (duration)
Fill in the Blanks: Intermediate Level
- We _______ not _______ where to go on vacation yet. (Third form of "Decide")
- My parents ______ _______ each other. (Third Form of "Know").
- ____ you ever ______ a bone? (Third Form of "Break")
- They _____ _____ the lottery! (Third Form of "Win")
- I ______ just _____ home from work (Third Form of "Arrive")
Answers
| 1. Have, Decided |
2. Have, Known |
3. Have, Broken |
| 4. Have, Won |
5. Have, Arrived |
|
Advance Level
- We haven't seen each other since graduation. (Experiences)
- Scientists have discovered a new form of sustainable energy. (Completed Actions)
- The company has just released its newest product line. (Completed Actions)
- I have travelled extensively throughout Asia. (Experiences)
- She has graduated from medical school with top honours. (Achievement)
Fill in the Blanks: Advance Level
- I _____ just ______ watching that documentary. (Third Form of "Finish")
- She _____ never even ______ skydiving. (Third Form of "Try")
- She ______ not ______ to her family in over a year. (Third Form of "Speak")
- She _______ ______ you earlier, and I'm sure. (Third Form of "See")
- We _____ both _________ extensively but to different regions. (Third Form of "Travel")
Answers
| 1. Have, Finished |
2. Has, Tried |
3. Has, Spoken |
| 4. Has, Seen |
5. Have, Travelled |
|
That’s all about this topic. Now, you have knowledge about the Present Perfect Tense. You know the definition, structure as well as uses. This knowledge will be especially helpful as you improve your speaking and writing skills, which are both assessed in the upcoming IELTS exam. Keep practicing.
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Present Perfect Tense FAQs
Q. What is present perfect tense and example?
A. Present Perfect Tense is used to describe the incident that happened in past and is still ongoing currently. It uses the auxiliary verbs 'has' or 'have' with Part Participle (V3).
For example- I have played football this week.
Q. What is the use of Present Perfect Tense in English Proficiency exam?
A. In English proficiency exams, you can use the Present perfect tense while answering about your life experiences, work experience, and other actions that happened in past but are relevant to present situations.
Q. What is the rule of present perfect tense?
A. According to Present Perfect rules, you need to use Has/Have after subject and third form of verb. Here are some more rules
- Use "have" with I, We, You and plural subjects.
- Use "has" with He, She, It and third-person singular subjects.
- Use V3 (past participle) that indicates an action is completed.
Q. What are some examples of Present Perfect Tense?
A. Here are some examples of Present Perfect Tense that you can use to practice:
- I have finished my homework
- I have not seen that movie yet.
- Have we met before?
- She has not eaten breakfast this morning.
- We have lived in this house for ten years.
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Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?
Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.
- Know the exam pattern
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Step 5: You can track the application's progress through your given credentials by UCAS.
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Step 7: The university will send you an offer letter once selected. Hence keep checking your UCAS portal for your application status.
The Postgraduate application process:
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| Ranking Body | Ranking |
|---|---|
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International students whose native language is not English must meet the University of Essex English language requirements to get admission. The university accepts IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency. Mentioned below are the IELTS scores required for UG and PG admission at the university:
English Language Test | Score |
|---|---|
IELTS | Overall score of 5.5 to 8.0 with minimum of 5.5 to 7.5 in each section |
The university also accepts the score of other English language tests such as TOEFL and PTE for admission to undergraduate and graduate programs:
English Language Test | Score |
TOEFL iBT | Overall score of 72 to 114 |
PTE | Overall score of 59 to 84 with minimum of 59 to 80 in each section |
Also read: Required IELTS Score for UK Universities
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