Present Perfect Tense Chart & Table in English with Rules, Definition, and Usage Examples

What is the Present Perfect Tense?

Learn more about the various uses of present perfect tense below and discover the present perfect tense chart to simplify your study

The present perfect tense shows an action in the past that relates to or continues in the present period of time. It uses the helping or auxiliary verbs “have” and “has” depending on the number of subjects (singular vs. plural).

One can use this verb tense and include the exact time wherein an action happened, such as: Den has written a letter before going to the airport yesterday. On the other hand, you can also omit the time reference: Den has written a letter before going to the airport.

Let’s take the example sentence above to demonstrate how Den’s act of writing a letter affects the present time:

Den has written a letter before going to the airport. (and will probably give the letter to someone at present)
Den has written a letter before going to the airport. (and someone will read the letter in the present time when he gives it)

Learn more about the various uses of present perfect tense below and discover the present perfect tense chart to simplify your study:

General Formula for Present Perfect Tense:

Sentence General Formula for Present Perfect Tense

Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

Important notes on the general formula of present perfect tense:

The formula above is used for the positive or affirmative form of the present perfect tense.
The helping verb or auxiliary verb is used interchangeably.
Singular nouns or subjects (e.g., teacher, Maris, cat), and 3rd person singular pronouns, he, she, and it, take the helping verb “has.”
Plural nouns or subjects (e.g., teachers, Maris and John, cats), 3rd person plural pronoun, “they,” and 1st and 2nd person pronouns, I, we, and you, are paired with the auxiliary verb “have.”
The past participle form of the verb will be used to construct present perfect sentences.

Present Perfect Tense Rules and Uses in English Grammar

The rules for the use of the present perfect verb form are explained below:

1. Show action from an unspecified time in the past

The present perfect tense is used when an action happened with no exact time in the past. Its purpose is to emphasize to the past action.

2. Express the result in the present caused by a past action

In the present perfect tense, the action started in the past but continues or still affects the present time. For example, you have read a book in the morning until this current time.

As implied by the word “perfect,” which means “completed,” the past perfect tense is used to share activities one has done or one’s life experiences.

4. Tell the number of times an action is repeated

The present perfect tense also tells the number of instances an action happened. If you have kept tabs on something, you can say: I have cleaned your mess five times this month.

5. State actions started in the past that remains in the present

Aside from telling the number of instances, the present perfect tense states the duration of something. It shows how long an occurrence has lasted and implies that it continues in the present time.

Present Perfect Tense Examples in Sentences

1. Show action from an unspecified time in the past

Jo has accepted her promotion.
He has begun writing his third novel.
It has achieved its goals.
They have broadcast their accomplishment on national TV.
I have admired their resilience.

2. Express the result in the present caused by a past action

I have ordered a new vacuum cleaner for you. (You will have a new vacuum cleaner in the present.)
The child’s water balloon has burst in the playground. (That’s why the child is crying right now.)
Your dog has attacked me unprovoked. (Hence, I’m in the hospital now to get cured.)
My niece has clung to me and won’t let go. (Therefore, as of now, I can’t leave.)
Pearl has dealt with the technical issue. (You won’t have to worry about the issue now.)

I have constructed disaster-resilient homes in my career as an engineer.
The organization I founded has stood steadfast amidst many challenges.
She has painted her room with Van Gogh’s artworks.
Lucas has climbed Mount Everest.
He has shown his journey through a documentary.

4. Tell the number of times an action is repeated

They have parked in front of my gate five times.
Meg and Amy have raced ten times, and Meg always won.
A group of islands has disappeared then reappeared thrice over the year due to tides.
The teacher has caught the student cheating several times.
A bee has stung the horse twice today.

5. State actions started in the past that remains in the present

The committee members have convened annually. (They continue to meet annually.)
Vin and Tom have recycled their plastic waste for two years. (Vin and Tom recycle until the present time.)
They have spread their zero waste vision through forums since 2019. (They continue to conduct zero-waste forums.)
Peter has voted since he was eighteen. (Peter still votes up to now.)
Dianne has taken care of stray cats for six months. (Dianne still takes care of stray cats.)

Present Perfect Tense Chart with Rules, Formulas, and Examples

Study the overview of the different uses of the present perfect tense through the overview of rules, formulas, and examples below:

Present Perfect Tense Chart
Present Perfect Tense Formula or Sentence Structure:	Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence
Present Perfect Tense Rules	Present Perfect Tense Examples
Show action from an unspecified time in the past	I have toured Southeast Asian countries. Lisa has eaten wagyu beef steak.
Express result in the present caused by a past action	We have run for three hours, hence, the exhaustion. He has persecuted the criminal; that’s why we’re at peace now.
Share life experiences or stories	She has tried eating exotic food. Lilly and Tad have drunk the most expensive wine.
Tell the number of times an action is repeated	You have saved me from drowning twice. It has bitten people thrice before.
State actions started in the past that remains in the present	The siblings have fought for the land for a year. Her lawyer has worked at the firm since 2015.

Present Perfect Tense Different Sentence Structures

Explore the different structures of present perfect tense below to improve your English language skills:

1. Negative Sentences Formula of Present Perfect Tense

Negative sentences negate an action or verb using “not.” It helps express something that has not been done: I have not changed my hairstyle for three years. As observed in the sentence, “not” is placed between the auxiliary verb and the past participle verb.

2. Yes/No Questions Formula of Present Perfect Tense

To create past present tense questions answerable by yes or no, transform the sentence structure by starting it with the helping verb. It would then be followed by the subject and the rest of the sentence.

3. WH Questions Formula of Present Perfect Tense

Use the WH questions formula if you seek detailed answers to actions that have been done in the past but affect the present. Place the WH question at the beginning of the sentence. After that, choose the helping verb that agrees with the subject and complete the rest of the question.

4. “Just” Sentences Formula of Present Perfect Tense

“Just” is an adverb describing actions that happened very recently or in the immediate past. We use it to show when the duration between the event and the present time is considerably short. Place “just” between the auxiliary verb and the past participle verb form.

5. “Already” Sentences Formula of Present Perfect Tense

To express something that happened before now, use the adverb “already.” While “just” focuses on the time span of an action, “already” highlights that the subject has performed a deed before something else. Additionally, it denotes that something occurred earlier than expected. Follow the sentence contraction of sentence construction number four and replace “just” with “already.”

Present Perfect Tense Formula, Rules, and Examples Table

Understand the other sentence structure or formula of present perfect tense using the tense chart below:

Present Perfect Tense Chart
Rules	Formula	Examples
Negative Sentences	Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + not + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence	I have not exercised. Denis has not taught his brother.
Yes/No Questions	Helping Verb (have/has) + Subject + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence	Have they changed the formula of this cleanser? Has the cow hurt the caretaker?
WH Questions	WH Question + Helping Verb (have/has) + Subject + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence	What have the managers said about the new memorandum? Who has Laurence assigned for this task?
“Just” Sentences	Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + just + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence	Annie has just fried the fish. It has just begun to get better.
“Already” Sentences	Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + already + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence	I have already introduced them to each other. Hans has already fed the hamsters.

More Examples of Present Perfect Tense in Different Sentence Structures

1. Examples of Negative Sentences in Present Perfect Tense

Formula of Negative Sentences

Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + not + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

They have not moved on from what happened.
The children have not put their toys back in the box.
Lilly has not liked the new movie.
He has not measured the amount of flour for the cake.
My sister has not shut off her computer.

2. Examples of Yes/No Questions in Present Perfect Tense

Formula of Yes/No Questions

Helping Verb (have/has) + Subject + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

Have Jen and Jake decided on the venue of their wedding?
Have the doctors started their rounds?
Have they spent all their allowance?
Has she waited for her appointment?
Has it matched the color of the walls to use?
Has the consultant seen these documents?

3. Examples of WH Questions in Present Perfect Tense

Formula of WH Questions

WH Question + Helping Verb (have/has) + Subject + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

What have I talked about at the last meeting?
What has she done to help you?
Who have the committee members voted as chairperson?
Who has she taken as a partner for this assignment?
When have they visited your grandmother?
When has she arrived at the airport?
Why have the students answered most of the questions wrongly?
Why has she sold her property?
Where have the choir members performed last week?
Where has Martha bought these ramen bowls?
How have you managed to read one book per day?
How has it been since the last time you consulted?

4. Examples of “Just” Sentences in Present Perfect Tense

Formula of Sentences with Adverb “Just”

Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + just + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

I have just called to inform the manager.
The family members have just gone to the mall.
Franz has just paid his electric bill.
She has just remembered to water the plants
The nurse has just forbidden him to drink alcohol.

5. Examples of “Already” Sentences in Present Perfect Tense

Formula of Sentences with Adverb “Already”

Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + already + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence

John and Pat have already moved to a new apartment.
They have already picked up the parcel.
She has already got insurance for her car.
Benny has already grown vegetables in his garden.
It has already been passed into law.

Importance of Present Perfect Tense Chart in English Grammar

Sometimes, reading paragraphs of information on topics like verb tenses may confuse you. Even English speakers have a hard time mastering those grammar rules. Hence, as an English language learner, a way to simplify your study is a summary of formulas and concepts.

The tense chart does just that. It is a visual learning aid containing the digested form of information you need to know about the present perfect tense. It will help you understand how to use this verb tense correctly. Aside from that, it provides a structure for concepts about the present perfect tense. As such, a present perfect tense chart should be a staple in your English grammar toolkit.

Conclusion

The present tense has four categories, and the perfect form is one of those. The word “perfect” suggests the completion of something. Therefore, the definition of the present perfect tense is: an event that started in the past and is completed in the present timeline. Moreover, one can use it to express that a past occurrence still affects or persists now.

Compared to the simple present tense, the past perfect tense emphasizes the timeline of an event more. It adds color to the narration of experiences, happenings, and events. In addition, the perfect tense helps us express our feelings and opinions about past actions. For instance, you can say that you have not liked the taste of garlic since you were young. In short, the present perfect tense is an essential grammar rule for expressing past events relevant to the current situation.

Since there are ten rules from the present perfect tense, five uses, and five sentence structures, it is easier for English language learners to use a tense chart. It helps simplify their learning by making the process more organized.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do we use the present perfect tense?

We use the present perfect tense for five various reasons: (1) to show action from an unspecified time in the past; (2) express results in the present caused by a past action; (3) to share life experiences or stories; (4) tell the number of times an action happened, and (5) state actions started in the past that remains in the present.

What is the present perfect tense timeline?

When thinking of the present perfect tense, we consider the two-time frames — past and present. The timeline of the present perfect tense starts with an action in the past that was perfected or completed in the present time. It also involves past events that still affect or remain true up to the present timeline.

What is the rule for the present perfect tense?

The rule for using the present perfect tense is simple. You must use the helping or auxiliary verb “have” or “has” depending on the number of objects (plural vs. singular). For example, if there is more than one object, you would use the helping verb “have’ instead of “has”. If there is only one object, then you would use the helping word “has” instead of “have”. The past participle form of the verb is also used in its sentence structure to signify that the action has been perfected in the present time.

What are 5 examples of present perfect tense?

Here are 5 examples of the present perfect tense in different sentence structures:
Positive: I have fixed my bed to start my morning right.
Negative: Ash has not placed the documents in separate folders.
Yes/No Question: Have you eaten lunch?
WH Question: Why has Millie slept late last night?
Using Adverbs “Just” and “Already”: They have just installed the new TV. They have already bought a new TV.

What is the formula of the present perfect tense?

The formula of the present perfect tense is as follows: Subject + Helping Verb (have/has) + Past participle of the main verb + the rest of the sentence. Remember that the subject must agree with the verb. Meaning, plural subjects take the helping verb “have”. And singular subjects carry “has.”

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Valentina Gagliardi

Valentina has always been a teacher at heart. After spending eight years teaching college-level English, she realised that her true passion was helping people learn and grow – especially when it came to learning English. She firmly believes that in order for language learning to be successful, it's important to create a comfortable and welcoming environment where students feel safe to experiment and take risks. When she's not writing for the Lillypad community, Valentina loves travelling, reading and going for long walks with her dog Freddy.

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