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The Present Perfect: Your Guide to Success!

James Batchelor

Have you ever wondered when to use the present perfect? 🤔 Many English learners find it tricky because it's different from the past simple. But don’t worry—by the end of this blog, you’ll feel much more confident!


🎯 If you're looking for a structured way to improve your English grammar, my English course with CPF in Vincennes offers private lessons in English designed to help you master tricky tenses like the present perfect. Whether you prefer E-learning or in-person courses, my programs are tailored to your needs.

An hourglass with teal sand sits in front of calendars. Sepia tones suggest a theme of time passing and urgency.

What is the Present Perfect?

The present perfect connects the past and the present. It is formed with:

➡️ have/has + past participle (verb 3)


Examples:

👉 I have visited London many times.

👉 She has never tried sushi.

👉 We have just finished our work.


🚨 Important! The present perfect is not used with a specific time in the past! If you say "I have visited London last year," ❌ it’s incorrect! Use the past simple instead: "I visited London last year."


When Do We Use the Present Perfect?

1️⃣ For experiences (without a specific time in the past)

📝 We use the present perfect to talk about life experiences, but without saying exactly when they happened.


Example:

  • I have been to Japan.

  • She has never met a famous person.


How does this compare to French?

➡️ English: I have visited London.

➡️ French: Je suis allé(e) à Londres. (→ passé composé)


French often uses the passé composé, which can translate both the past simple and the present perfect in English.


2️⃣ For actions that started in the past and continue now

📝 Use the present perfect when something began in the past and is still true now.


Example:

  • I have lived in Paris for five years. (= I still live in Paris)

  • He has worked here since January.


How does this compare to French?

➡️ English: I have lived in Paris for five years.

➡️ French: J’habite à Paris depuis cinq ans. (present tense in French!)


🚨 Warning! Unlike English, French uses the present tense with "depuis" instead of the present perfect!


3️⃣ For recent actions with "just," "already," and "yet"

📝 Use the present perfect when talking about very recent actions.


Example:

  • She has just finished her homework.

  • They have already seen that movie.

  • Have you finished your project yet?


How does this compare to French?

➡️ English: I have just eaten.

➡️ French: Je viens de manger. (→ "venir de" construction)


French often replaces the present perfect with "venir de" + infinitive to express very recent actions.

Use of Present Perfect

English Example

French Equivalent

Life experiences (without a specific time)

I have visited London.

Je suis allé(e) à Londres. (Passé composé)

Actions that started in the past and continue now

I have lived in Paris for five years.

J’habite à Paris depuis cinq ans. (Présent)

Recent actions with "just", "already", "yet"

She has just finished her homework.

Elle vient de finir ses devoirs. (Venir de + infinitif)


Mastering the present perfect will make your English sound more natural and fluent. Keep practicing and don’t be afraid to make mistakes—every mistake is a step towards improvement! 🚀


🎯 If you're serious about improving your grammar, my English course with CPF in Vincennes can help you build strong communication skills. Whether you prefer E-learning or in-person lessons, I offer private lessons in English tailored to your needs.



Let’s Practice!

📝 Activity 1: Fill in the blanks with the correct present perfect form

  1. I ______ (never/eat) sushi before.

  2. She ______ (just/finish) her book.

  3. We ______ (live) in this city for 10 years.

  4. He ______ (already/visit) three countries.

  5. ______ you ever ______ (see) a ghost?

  6. My parents ______ (be) married for 30 years.

  7. They ______ (not/buy) a new house yet.

  8. I ______ (meet) a famous actor once!

  9. She ______ (not/do) her homework yet.

  10. ______ he ______ (call) you today?


📝 Activity 2: Correct the mistakes in the following sentences

🚨 Each sentence has one mistake. Find it and correct it!

  1. I have seen that movie last week.

  2. She has just finish her coffee.

  3. They have visited Rome two years ago.

  4. We has lived in Spain for a long time.

  5. He have never eaten sushi before.

  6. I have been here since five years.

  7. Have you ever go to Canada?

  8. She haven’t completed her work already.

  9. They has never tried bungee jumping.

  10. Has he took the test yet?


Correct Answers

Activity 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. I have never eaten sushi before.

  2. She has just finished her book.

  3. We have lived in this city for 10 years.

  4. He has already visited three countries.

  5. Have you ever seen a ghost?

  6. My parents have been married for 30 years.

  7. They have not bought a new house yet.

  8. I have met a famous actor once!

  9. She has not done her homework yet.

  10. Has he called you today?


Activity 2: Correct the mistakes

  1. ❌ I have seen that movie last week.

    I saw that movie last week.

  2. ❌ She has just finish her coffee.

    She has just finished her coffee.

  3. ❌ They have visited Rome two years ago.

    They visited Rome two years ago.

  4. ❌ We has lived in Spain for a long time.

    We have lived in Spain for a long time.

  5. ❌ He have never eaten sushi before.

    He has never eaten sushi before.

  6. ❌ I have been here since five years.

    I have been here for five years.

  7. ❌ Have you ever go to Canada?

    Have you ever gone to Canada?

  8. ❌ She haven’t completed her work already.

    She hasn’t completed her work yet.

  9. ❌ They has never tried bungee jumping.

    They have never tried bungee jumping.

  10. ❌ Has he took the test yet?

    Has he taken the test yet?


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