PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

By Ranjana S.

Gobbledygook elucidates us on Present Perfect Tense.

Let’s hear from him...

Image Source: Engames.eu

When do we use Present Perfect Tense:

# To indicate that an action has been completed, finished or done just now( near the present time) or a little time back(in the immediate past); as,

• Roger has just gone out.
• I have finished the homework just now.
• Jessica has just written a letter.

 The term ' Present Perfect' gives the idea of both Present and Perfect( Present + Perfect). The ' Perfect' gives an idea that somebody has already finished or done the work; the 'Present' conveys the idea that the work has been completed near the present time (just now) and, therefore, the connection with the present time is indicated by 'has' or 'have'.

# To indicate that the action has taken place sometime in the past (it may be long time back), but the action completed has its effect in the present time ; as,

• Tyson has eaten all the cookies.(hence nothing is left for you.
• The girls have finished their work.( so, now they are free)
•  My brother has cut his finger.( his finger is bleeding )

# To indicate that the action began at sometime in the past, but is continuing up to the present time of speaking:( often with since- and for-phrases ); as,

The tenant has lived here for twenty years.(He still lives here.)

I have known her for a long time.(We still know each other.)

Margaret has been unwell/ill since last week.(She is still unwell/ill)

• We haven't seen her for several years.( We still haven't seen her.)

# When to use 'Since' and 'For'.

Since---'Since' is used in the Present Perfect shows that the verb takes effect from a specific event or point of time in the past until now.

• I have known her since 1998.
• The girls have been ill since last week.
• Raima has been staying here since yesterday.

# For----'For' is used in the Present Perfect shows that the verb takes effect for a period of time.

• We have been visiting Florida for 12 years.
• I have known him for 20 years.
• They have been studying for a long time.

# To describe a past action the time of which is neither indicated nor definite; as,

• He has scolded me many times.
• The Polkas have been to Los Angeles.
• The girl has been crying.

# To describe an action which has not been completed ; as,

• Why have you not done the sweeping yet?
• They have not yet met him so far.

The Present Perfect Tense is never used with adverbs or adverb phrases of past time (yesterday, last year, on January 17th, etc.) 'He has gone to Dubai since yesterday'-incorrect. As we put yesyerday, it already conveys that the action belongs to the past and hence; has no connection with the present. If it is nowhere related to Present Tense, thee term 'Present Perfecy'all is inappropriate. Hence, instead of the verb of present perfect(has gone), a verb of past tense (went) should be used in the sentence.

   

•  He went to Dubai yesterday---is correct.

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS TENSE:

The Present Perfect Continuous Tense is used in the following cases:

# To describe an action which began at sometime in the PAST and is still continuing ; as,

• I have been reading the novel for two hours.(I'm still reading)
• Rachel has been working since 9 a.m. ( She is still working)
• The women have been living here since 21st January, 2000. (They are still living)

Note-The use of the Present Perfect Continuous Tense( have been) is similar to Present Perfect Tense, and can be used alternatively:

• They have lived here for ten years.
• They have been living here for ten years.

In the Present Perfect Continuous we use 'since' to indicate point of time and 'for' to indicate period of time.

At 5 p.m, we can say:

• Gary has been sleeping since 3 p.m.
• Gary has been sleeping for two hours.

# Present Continuous Tense is not used with Adverb indicating past time.

            

Present Continuous only says that the action is continuing in the present( but says  nothing about the past) while Present Perfect Continuous says that the action is taking place in the

present though it began at some time in the past. Hence, it will be incorrect to say:

• I am travelling since yesterday.

By putting 'yesterday' we have indicated that the action began some time in the past. The Present Perfect Continuous is meant for it. We may say:

• I have been travelling since yesterday.     

Note- With verbs not normally used in the continuous form, use the Present Perfect tense. 

For example, 'own' is a stative verb ( a verb expressing a state or condition rather than an activity or event) and.cannot be used in the Continuous tense. But the Present Perfect is possible with this verb:

• I am owing a house.(incorrect)
• I have owned a house since 2012.  

Practise your tenses well.

Happy Tense-ing!!!