Introduction to Present Perfect Tense | EasyTeaching

Summary

This video explains the use of the present perfect tense in English. It contrasts this with the past simple tense, highlighting key uses: actions that started in the past and continue to the present, actions in unfinished time periods, and focusing on the result rather than the timing. It also covers the formation of present perfect, including how to structure sentences and questions, use of contractions, and the addition of 'just' for recently completed actions. Examples and clear explanations make it easy to understand how and when to use the present perfect tense.

Takeaways

• 😀 Past simple tense is used for actions or states that started and ended in the past, like 'He fell over.' or 'She joined the gym last year.'
• 😀 Present perfect tense is used for actions or states that started in the past and continue to the present, like 'She has lived there for years.' or 'They have been friends for a long time.'
• 😀 The meaning of a sentence can change based on whether past simple or present perfect is used. Example: 'She lived there for years' implies she no longer lives there, while 'She has lived there for years' means she still lives there.
• 😀 Present perfect is also used to describe actions that occurred during a time period that is still ongoing, such as 'this month' or 'today'. Example: 'He has phoned three times today.'
• 😀 When the time an action was completed is not important, present perfect is used to emphasize the result, e.g., 'They have met before.'
• 😀 In present perfect, follow-up questions often ask 'When?' to inquire about the specific time of the action, e.g., 'When did they meet?'
• 😀 Present perfect emphasizes the action's result, while past simple focuses on when the action took place.
• 😀 The present perfect form requires the verb 'have' conjugated according to the subject, followed by the past participle of the main verb. Example: 'He has seen the movie.'
• 😀 For actions completed recently, 'just' is added to the present perfect, e.g., 'He has just seen the movie.'
• 😀 In present perfect questions, the auxiliary verb 'have' comes before the subject. Example: 'Have you been here before?'
• 😀 Contractions are commonly used in present perfect sentences, such as 'I've eaten' or 'He's been'.

Q & A

What is the main difference between the past simple tense and the present perfect tense?

The past simple tense refers to actions or states that started and ended in the past, while the present perfect tense refers to actions or states that started in the past and are still continuing or have relevance to the present.

Can you give an example where present perfect is used for ongoing situations?

An example of present perfect used for ongoing situations is: 'She has lived there for years.' This suggests she still lives there.

How does the meaning change if we use past simple instead of present perfect in the sentence 'She has lived there for years'?

If we use past simple, 'She lived there for years,' it would imply that she no longer lives there, and her time living there is finished.

When should you use present perfect with time expressions like 'this month' or 'today'?

Present perfect is used with time expressions like 'this month,' 'today,' or 'so far' when the time period is still ongoing. For example, 'He has phoned three times today.'

What does present perfect emphasize in a sentence like 'They have met before'?

Present perfect emphasizes the result of the action, which in this case is the fact that they have met. The exact time of meeting is not important.

Why is 'I have been to Japan' in present perfect, while 'I ate sushi there' is in past simple?

The sentence 'I have been to Japan' is in present perfect because the exact time of the visit is not important, just the fact that it happened. 'I ate sushi there' is in past simple because the action of eating sushi is completed and the specific time is more relevant.

How do you form the present perfect tense?

To form the present perfect tense, use the present tense of the verb 'have' (either 'have' or 'has' depending on the subject), followed by the past participle of the main verb.

What is the past participle of the verb 'see' in the present perfect tense?

The past participle of the verb 'see' is 'seen.' For example, 'He has seen the movie.'

How does the use of 'just' affect the meaning of a present perfect sentence?

'Just' is used to indicate that an action was completed very recently. For example, 'He has just seen the movie' implies that the action was completed moments ago.

What happens to word order when forming questions in present perfect tense?

In present perfect questions, the auxiliary verb 'have' (or 'has') is placed before the subject. For example, 'Have you been here before?'