The Present Perfect tense can seem tricky at first, but with a bit of practice, it becomes much easier to use. In this blog post, we will explore how to use the Present Perfect tense for A2/B1 level English learners. By the end, you’ll feel more confident in talking about things that happened in the past but are connected to the present.

Unforgettable Moments – A Short Story for A2 English Learners Using Present Perfect Tense

What is the Present Perfect Tense?

The Present Perfect tense is used to talk about:

1. Experiences you’ve had at any time up to now.
2. Actions that happened in the past but still have an effect on the present.
3. Recent actions where the exact time is not important.

How to Form the Present Perfect

The Present Perfect tense is made up of two parts:

• The verb “have” (have/has)
• The past participle [V3] of the main verb

Here’s the formula:

Subject + have/has + past participle [V3]

• I/We/You/They have played
• He/She/It has played

When to Use the Present Perfect

1. Talking about experiences:
   • We use the Present Perfect to talk about experiences we have had in our lives, without saying when it happened.
   Examples:
   • “I have visited France.”
   • “She has eaten sushi before.”
2. Talking about changes over time:
   • The Present Perfect is also used to talk about changes that have happened.
   Examples:
   • “They have grown taller since last year.”
   • “The price of bread has increased.”
3. Talking about something that just happened:
   • We often use the Present Perfect to describe actions that just happened, especially with words like just, already, and yet.
   Examples:
   • “He has just finished his homework.”
   • “We have already seen that movie.”
4. Talking about actions that continue into the present:
   • The Present Perfect is used when an action started in the past but is still happening now.
   Examples:
   • “I have lived here for five years.”
   • “They have worked together since 2019.”

Common Words with the Present Perfect

Certain words are often used with the Present Perfect. These include:

• Just: “I have just eaten.”
• Already: “She has already finished her project.”
• Yet (in questions and negatives): “Have you finished your homework yet?” / “I haven’t been to the new café yet.”

Key Differences with Past Simple

Sometimes, it’s easy to confuse the Present Perfect with the Past Simple. Here’s the difference:

• Use Past Simple when you are talking about a specific time in the past (yesterday, last year, etc.).
  • “I went to Paris last year.” (specific time)
• Use Present Perfect when you are talking about an experience or an action that has a connection to now, but the exact time is not important.
  • “I have been to Paris.” (at some point in my life, no exact time mentioned)

Practice Time!

The Present Perfect tense helps us talk about experiences, recent events, and actions that connect the past with the present. With some practice, you’ll soon find it easier to use. Remember to focus on when and why you are using it, and keep practicing with different examples.

Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any questions, and happy learning!

Other Resources for Present Perfect Tense

https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/grammar/english-grammar-reference/present-perfect

https://dictionary.cambridge.org/grammar/british-grammar/present-perfect-simple-i-have-worked