How to use The Present Perfect Tense in English
Present Perfect Tense is an English tense describing the uncertain Past Tense. This tense is a very important tense where it is used. Where to use should not be confused with Simple Past Tense, which also describes the past tense. Present Perfect Tense means that a job has been done at any uncertain time in the past. In other words, it is appropriate to explain past works with Present Perfect Tense.
When Present Perfect Tense is forming a sentence, the subject is taken first, the auxiliary verb is placed next to it and the third form of the verb is added. The sentence is completed as desired. Envelopes such as yesterday, Tuesday, last year, which refer to certain times in the past, are only used with Present Perfect Tense with “since and before”. If the date of the job is specified, Present Perfect Tense is not used, instead Simple Past Tense is used. It can be expressed as uncertain past tense. Because in these sentences, it is important whether or not the work done in the past was done, especially if it was done.
POSITIVE
Present Perfect Tense is completed with the positive sentences, first the subject, then the auxiliary verb and then the third form of the verb as desired.
- You have listened to Madonna in the concert.
NEGATIVE
Present Perfect Tense negative sentences, the subject is used first, then the negative “to have” auxiliary verb is added and completed as desired with the third form of the actual verb.
- The movie “Saw” haven’t gotton the Oscar Prize.
Time Perfect Envelope With Present Perfect Tense
Present Perfect Tense is often used with some adverb. Words that indicate time can come to different places in the sentence. Present Perfect Tense is used with words such as ever, never, before, already, yet expressing an indefinite time in the past. Simple Past Tense is used with words that express a certain time in the past, such as yesterday, last year, last week.
QUESTION
In Present Perfect Tense question sentences, to have is placed at the beginning of the auxiliary verb, then the subject is completed as desired with the third form of the verb.
Present Perfect Tense Formula
| POSITIVE (+) | NEGATIVE (-) | QUESTION (?) |
| I have seen | I have not (haven’t) seen | Have I seen |
| You have seen | You have not (haven’t) seen | Have you seen |
| He has seen | He has not (hasn’t) seen | Has he seen |
| She has seen | She has not (hasn’t) seen | Has she seen |
| It has seen | It has not (hasn’t) seen | Has it seen |
| We have seen | We have not (haven’t) seen | Have we seen |
| You have seen | You have not (haven’t) seen | Have you seen |
| They have seen | They have not (haven’t) seen | Have they seen |
