How to form the Present Perfect: table
have (with I, you, we, they) or has (with he, she, it) + the past participle. Regular verbs add -ed (worked, played); irregular ones must be learnt: go – went – gone, see – saw – seen. All forms are in the irregular verbs table.
| Form | I / you / we / they | he / she / it |
|---|---|---|
| Positive | I have (I’ve) finished. | She has (she’s) finished. |
| Negative | I haven’t finished. | She hasn’t finished. |
| Question | Have you finished? | Has she finished? |
| Short answer | Yes, I have. / No, I haven’t. | Yes, she has. / No, she hasn’t. |
She’s can be she is or she has: she’s working (is), she’s worked (has). The verb form after it tells you which.
When to use the Present Perfect
Life experience
Whether something has ever happened in your life — with no specific time. Often with ever and never.
Have you ever tried sushi?
I’ve never been to Japan.
A result that matters now
Something happened and we see the result now.
I’ve lost my keys.
I don’t have them now
He’s broken his leg.
Recent news: just, already, yet
The train has just left.
I’ve already done my homework.
Have you finished yet? — No, not yet.
Still true: for and since
It started in the past and hasn’t finished. Many languages use the present tense here; English uses the Present Perfect (or the Present Perfect Continuous for activities).
We’ve lived here for five years.
I’ve known her since school.
An unfinished time period
Today, this week, this year — while the period is still going on.
I’ve drunk three coffees today.
She hasn’t called me this week.
Present Perfect signal words
Ever, never, already, just go between have and V3. Yet goes at the end of questions and negatives. For + a period (for two years), since + a starting point (since 2020, since Monday).
- ever
- never
- already
- just
- yet
- for
- since
- so far
- recently
- lately
- today
- this week
- this year
- How long…?
Present Perfect or Past Simple?
The key question: is the time stated? If yes (yesterday, last year, in 2020, When…?), use the Past Simple. If the time doesn’t matter but the result or experience does, use the Present Perfect.
| Present Perfect | Past Simple | |
|---|---|---|
| Time | not stated or still going on | stated, finished |
| Example | I’ve seen this film. | I saw this film last week. |
| Signal words | ever, never, just, yet, since | yesterday, ago, last…, in 2020 |
| Question | Have you ever been to Rome? | When did you go there? |
Been or gone?
She has been to Paris.
she came back
She has gone to Paris.
she is there now
Common mistakes
What learners of English often say. On the left — the mistake, on the right — the correct version.
Wrong:
I have seen him yesterday.Right: I saw him yesterday.
Yesterday, ago, last… need the Past Simple.
Wrong:
I live here since 2019.Right: I have lived here since 2019.
Still true with since: Present Perfect.
Wrong:
She has went home.Right: She has gone home.
After have / has use V3, not V2.
Wrong:
When have you arrived?Right: When did you arrive?
When…? asks about time: Past Simple.
Wrong:
I have finished it yet.Right: I have already finished it.
Yet is for questions and negatives; use already.
Check yourself
Quiz: Present Perfect vs Past Simple
12 questions with an explanation after every answer. Free, no sign-up.
I have seen · I saw