PRESENT PERFECT AND TO HAVE
Hey learner! Today I bring you the 'present perfect simple and continuous' and everything you need to master it and use it in your daily life. In addition, at the end of the page I will leave you an exercise sheet for you to practice and test yourself.
LET'S DO IT!
WHEN IS THE PRESENT PERFECT USED?
As we can see in the image below, the 'Present Perfect Simple' is used for actions that begin in the past and continue up to the present, but BEWARE, they do not go beyond that instant. However, in the 'Present Perfect Continuous', actions that begin in the past can continue to occur or have effects in the present.
HOW ARE THEY FORMED?
PRESENT PERFECT
SIMPLE
The 'Present Perfect Simple' is formed by using the auxiliary verb 'TO HAVE' after the subject, plus the corresponding verb in the 'Past Participle'.
When making negative and interrogative sentences, we will continue using the auxiliary verb 'TO HAVE'.
AFFIRMATIVE:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb ‘TO HAVE’ + Verb in ‘Past Participle’ +…
Ex: I have studied English.
NEGATIVE:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb 'TO HAVE' + NOT + Verb in 'Past Participle' +…
Ex: I haven’t studied English.
INTERROGATIVE:
Auxiliary Verb 'TO HAVE' + Subject + Verb in 'Past Participle' +…?
Ex: Have you studied English?
PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
We also have the 'Present Perfect Continuous', which is formed using the verb 'TO HAVE', as an auxiliary verb, plus the verb 'TO BE' in 'Past Participle', plus the corresponding verb adding '-ing' at the end .
To form negative and interrogative sentences, the auxiliary verb 'TO HAVE' will also be used.
AFFIRMATIVE:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb 'TO HAVE' + Verb 'TO BE' in 'Past Participle' + Verb -ing +…
Ex: I have been studying English.
NEGATIVE:
Subject + Auxiliary Verb 'TO HAVE' + NOT + Verb 'TO BE' in 'Past Participle' + Verb -ing' +…
Ex: I haven’t been studying English.
INTERROGATIVE:
Auxiliary Verb 'TO HAVE' + Subject + Verb 'TO BE' in 'Past Participle' + Verb -ing' +…
Ex: Have you been studying English?
TO HAVE = TENER
'TO HAVE ' is the auxiliary verb used to form the 'Present Perfect Simple' and the 'Present Perfect Continuous'. This is always placed after the subject, except in interrogative sentences, where the order is exchanged.
As in the 'Present Simple', the verb 'TO HAVE' will be conjugated depending on the subject. That is, if the subject is 'HE/SHE/IT', it will be 'HAS' instead of 'HAVE'.
I
YOU
HE/SHE/IT
WE
YOU
THEY
HAVE
HAVE
HAS
HAVE
HAVE
HAVE
TO BE = SER/ESTAR
The verb 'TO BE' is used in the 'Present Continuous' in its 'Past Participle' form and behind the verb 'TO HAVE'. The order will only change in interrogative sentences, where the verb 'TO BE' will go after the Subject. If adverbs of frequency are added, they will be written between the verb 'TO HAVE' and 'TO BE'.
In the section on the 'Present Perfect Continuous' you will find the examples.
THE 'PAST PARTICIPLE' OF THE VERB 'TO BE' IS 'BEEN'
TO CONSIDER
PRESENT PERFECT
SIMPLE
¿’HAVE BEEN’ OR ‘HAVE GONE’?
One of the doubts that Spanish speakers usually have is how to use 'HAVE BEEN' and 'HAVE GONE'. So, when should you use each one? Well, the 'HAVE BEEN' would be used to say that you have gone to a place and you have returned. Ex: I have been in Boston. Because I was there and I came back.
The 'HAVE GONE' would be used, therefore, to say that I have gone to a place and I am still there. Ex: Derrick White has gone to Boston. Because he has gone to Boston and is still there, at least to this day.
HOW DO WE TRANSLATE IT?
The 'Present Perfect Simple' using the verb do, we can translate it as: I have done/ You have done/ Has done/ We have done/ You have done/ They have done, while the 'Present Perfect Continuous'we would translate it as: I have been doing/ You have been doing/ You have been doing/ We have been doing/ You have been doing/ They have been doing.
PRESENT PERFECT
CONTINUOUS
HOW LONG…?
This may well be the beginning of many of the questions in which the 'Present Perfect Continuous' is used, such as: 'How long have you been studying English?', and one way to answer would be: 'I have been studying English for four years.'
Questions that begin with 'How Long' can be translated as: How long...? In the case of the example seen above, the translation would be: How long have you been studying English?
VERBS THAT ARE NOT USUALLY USED IN THE PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS:
Believe, belong, depend, hate, know, like, love, mean, need, prefer, realize, suppose, want, understand.
The fact that they are not usually used is because these are not verbs that indicate action.
By clicking on the same title, you will find a file created by me to work on what was seen above. This link redirects you to Liveworksheet where you can do the sheet online or download it in pdf.
If you want to find more information to learn English quickly, easily and for free, I recommend you follow this link where you will find all the posts related to learning English that I have uploaded so far.
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