Present Perfect Tense

FORM  [has/have + past participle]

Examples:
  • You have seen that movie many times.
  • Have you seen that movie many times?
Complete List of Present Perfect Forms

How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?
  • We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time before now.
  • You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, today, last week, etc.
  • We CAN use the Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:
  • I think I have met him once before.
  • There have been many earthquakes in California.
  • Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing. It is used with the following topics:
TOPIC 1 Experience
You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a certain experience. 

Examples:
  • I have been to France.
  • I have been to France three times.
  • I have never been to France.
  • I think I have seen that movie before.
TOPIC 2 Change Over Time
We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period of time.

Examples:
  • You have grown since the last time I saw you.
  • The government has become more interested in arts education.
  • My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.​
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TOPIC 3 Accomplishments
We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:
  • Man has walked on the Moon.
  • Our son has learned how to read.
TOPIC 4 - An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
We often use the Present Perfect to say that  an action which we expected has not happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to happen.

Examples:
  • James has not finished his homework yet.
  • Bill has still not arrived.
  • The rain hasn't stopped.
TOPIC 5 - Multiple Actions at Different Times
We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete and more actions are possible.

​Examples:
  • The army has attacked that city five times.
  • I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
  • We have had many major problems while working on this project.
Now practice here.