2.3.2

Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

Test yourself on Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

Test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Using the Present Perfect Tense for Negatives

You can use the present perfect tense to talk about negative things that started in the past and are still happening now. Let's look at some different examples of the present perfect tense used in this way...

The thunder <b>has not</b> stopped

The thunder has not stopped

  • The present perfect tense is used because the thunder started in the past and did not stop at any point in the past and is still happening.
I <b>have not</b> seen that film

I have not seen that film

  • The present perfect tense is used because I did not watch that film at any point in the past and I still have not seen it now.
They __have not__ paid the bill

They have not paid the bill

  • The present perfect tense is used because they did not pay the bill at any point in the past and still haven't!

Using the Present Perfect Tense for Questions

You can use the present perfect tense in questions. Let's look at some examples of questions containing the present perfect tense...

<b>Have</b> you ever <b>met</b> him?

Have you ever met him?

  • The present perfect tense is used because the person asking the question wants to know if you have met him at any point in the past.
No, I <b>have</b> not <b>met</b> him

No, I have not met him

  • The present perfect tense is used because I have not met him at any point in the past.
<b>Has</b> he <b>finished</b> his book?

Has he finished his book?

  • The present perfect tense is used because the person asking the question wants to know if he finished his book at any point in the past.
No, he <b>has</b> not <b>finished</b>

No, he has not finished

  • The present perfect tense is used because he did not finish the book at any point in the past and still has not finished it!
Jump to other topics
1

Reading

1.1

Root Words

1.1.1Understanding New Words1.1.2Exception Words
1.2

Prefixes

1.2.1'Anti-' & 'Auto-'1.2.2Not & 'Inter-'1.2.3'Mis-', 'Dis-' & 'Re-'1.2.4'Sub-' & 'Super-'1.2.5End of Topic Test - Root Words & Prefixes
1.3

Suffixes

1.3.1Vowel Suffixes1.3.2Suffixes: '-ous'1.3.3Rules for Suffixes: '-ous'1.3.4Testing - Rules for Suffixes1.3.5Suffixes: '-ly'1.3.6Suffixes: '-ation'1.3.7Rules for Suffixes: '-ation'1.3.8Spelling: '-tion' Endings1.3.9Spelling: '-sion' Endings1.3.10Spelling: '-ssion' Endings1.3.11Spelling: '-cian' Endings1.3.12End of Topic Test - Suffixes
2

Writing

2.1

Composition

2.1.1Effective Writing2.1.2Planning2.1.3Drafting2.1.4Editing2.1.5End of Topic Test - Writing Composition
2.2

Conjunctions

2.2.1Simple Sentences & Compound Sentences2.2.2Complex Sentences2.2.3Coordinating Conjunctions2.2.4Subordinating Conjunctions2.2.5End of Topic Test - Conjunctions
2.3

Present Perfect Tense

2.3.1Present Perfect Tense2.3.2Uses of the Present Perfect Tense
2.4

Nouns

2.4.1Using Nouns & Pronouns Properly2.4.2End of Topic Test - Present Perfect & Nouns
2.5

Fronted Adverbials

2.5.1Saying Where, When & How Often2.5.2Saying How & Why2.5.3Using Commas
2.6

Direct Speech

2.6.1Direct Speech2.6.2End of Topic Test - Fronted Adverbials & Speech
2.7

Homophones

2.7.1Accept & Except2.7.2Affect & Effect2.7.3Ball & Bawl2.7.4Berry & Bury2.7.5Brake & Break2.7.6Fair & Fare2.7.7Grate & Great2.7.8Groan & Grown2.7.9Hear & Here2.7.10Heal, Heel & He'll2.7.11Knot & Not2.7.12Mail & Male2.7.13Main & Mane2.7.14Meat & Meet2.7.15Medal & Meddle2.7.16Missed & Mist2.7.17Peace & Piece2.7.18Plain & Plane2.7.19Rain & Reign & Rein2.7.20Scene & Seen2.7.21Weather & Whether2.7.22Whose & Who's2.7.23End of Topic Test - Homophones
2.8

Spelling Rules

2.8.1Hard 'U' & 'I' Sounds2.8.2Words Ending in '-Sure', '-Mure' & '-Sion'2.8.3'Ei', 'Eigh' & 'Ey' Spellings2.8.4Words Ending in 'G' & 'K' Sounds2.8.5Spelling Words with 'Ch' & 'Sc'2.8.6Silent Letters2.8.7End of Topic Test - Spelling Rules
2.9

Using Apostrophes

2.9.1Using Apostrophes with Regular Plurals2.9.2Using Apostrophes with Irregular Plurals
2.10

Using a Dictionary

2.10.1Using a Dictionary2.10.2End of Topic Test - Apostrophes & Dictionaries

Practice questions on Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    What tense is being used in this sentence? <br><br> __The game has not finished__.Multiple choice
  2. 2
    Click the negative sentences that use the present perfect tense:True / false
  3. 3
    Write these present tense verbs in the present perfect form:Fill in the list
  4. 4
    What __tense__ can you use to talk about negative things that started in the past and are still happening now?Multiple choice
  5. 5
    What tense is this sentence in?<br><br>__The rain has not stopped__.Multiple choice
Answer all questions on Uses of the Present Perfect Tense

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium

Present Perfect Tense

Using Nouns & Pronouns Properly