Uses of the Present Perfect Tense
English: Year 3 & 4 National Curriculum, topic 2.3.2
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 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 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
- 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...
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 have not met him
- The present perfect tense is used because I have not met him at any point in the past.
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 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!
Test yourself on Uses of the Present Perfect Tense
What tense is being used in this sentence?
The game has not finished.What tense can you use to talk about negative things that started in the past and are still happening now?
What tense is this sentence in?
The rain has not stopped.Which of these are present perfect tense verbs?
Can we use the present perfect tense to talk about negative things?