Present Perfect Tense structure with Rules and Examples

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Present Perfect Tense structure is an important topic that has been discussed in the following with proper rules to use in sentences and examples.

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Present Perfect Tense 

The verb of a sentence is in the present perfect tense when an action was recently completed or an action that was completed in the past but whose effect can be felt at the time of speaking.

Example: He has finished his task.

In the above sentence, the action word is ” finish “. In this sentence, the action has been done but its effect can be felt at the time of speaking. So, we can say the sentence is in the Present Perfect Tense.

Rules to use of Present Perfect tense

There are some rules that are discussed below about the use of present perfect tense in sentences following the situations.

Rule 1:

It expresses an action just finished:

  • Example: They have finished their duty.
Rule 2:

It refers to a past action the result of which still continues:

  • Example: I have committed a mistake (but its repentance is continuing).
Rule 3:

To express an action done in a space of time not yet gone out fully:

  • Example: She has been hard-working since her childhood.
Rule 4:

To express future perfect when the Present Perfect form is placed after the words – ‘after‘ or ‘when‘:

  • Example: They will play football after they have returned from school.
Rule 5:

When some Intransitive Verbs like – Go, Come, Set, and Rise to signify motion or change, we can form Present Perfect Tense with the verb “be”:

  • Example: “He is gone” (Present Perfect Form), instead of “He has gone”
Rule 6:

As Present Perfect Tense denotes the Present Time, we can not use an Adverb or Phrase denoting past time reference. Such as, – ‘yesterday‘, and ‘last night‘.

  • Example: I have received your letter yesterday. (Wrong use)
  • Example: I have received your letter today. (Right use)
Rule 7:

Adverbs “yet” and “already” are used in Present Perfect Tense to indicate that something has happened at an unspecified time. “Yet” is also used in making questions:

  • Example: He has already done it.
  • Example: He has not done his homework yet.
Rule 8:

When the two actions are performed in Present Time, the first action will be in the Present Perfect form and the rest will be present indefinite or simple present form. The perfect form will be placed before the word – “ before” and after the word – “after”.

  • Example: I have finished my homework (present prefect form) before my father comes from the office (simple present form)
  • Example: We reach the station (simple present) after the train has left (present perfect form)

Present Perfect Tense Structure and Examples

Present Perfect Tense structure in different sentences has been presented in the following. Get them for practical use while speaking or writing.

Positive Sentence or Declarative Sentence

Structure

Subject + Have / Has  + Verb ( Past-Participle Form) +Object.  

Table

Person       Singular        Plural
1stI have eaten rice.We have eaten rice.
2ndYou have eaten rice.You have eaten rice.
3rdHe / She / (It)   has eaten rice.They have eaten rice.

Other Examples

  1. He has played football.
  2. Students have made mistakes.
  3. You have read history.
  4. John has done the work.
  5. We have gone to school.

Negative Sentence

Structure

Subject + Have / Has + not + Verb ( Past-Participle Form) +Object

Table

Person       Singular        Plural
1stI have not eaten rice.We have not eaten rice.
2ndYou have not eaten rice.You have not eaten rice.
3rdHe / She / (It) has not eaten rice.They have not eaten rice.

Other Examples

  1. He has not played football.
  2. Students have not made mistakes.
  3. You have not read history.
  4. John has not done the work.
  5. We have not gone to school.

Interrogative Sentence

Structure

 Have / Has+Subject+Verb ( Past-Participle Form)+Object?

Table

Person    Singular       Plural
1stHave I eaten rice?Have we eaten rice?
2ndHave you eaten rice?Have you eaten rice?
3rdHas he/she/(it) eaten rice?Have they eaten rice?

Other Examples

  1. Has he played football?
  2. Has the sun risen in the East?
  3. Have you read history?
  4. Has John done the work?
  5. Have you watched the movie?

Negative-Interrogative Sentences

Structure

Have / Has+Subject( If Pronoun) + Not + Verb (Past-Participle Form)+Object?
Have/Has + Not + Subject (If Noun)+ Verb(Past-Participle Form) +Object?
  • If the Subject is “NOUN”, “Not” will be placed before “Subject”.
    Example:- Has not Messi made a goal for Argentina?
  • If the Subject is “PRONOUN”, “Not” will be placed after “Subject”.
    Example:- Have they not completed the task?

Table

  Person      Singular       Plural
1stHave I not eaten rice? Have We not eaten rice?
2ndHave you not eaten rice?Have you not eaten rice?
3rdHas he or she or it( Pro N) not eaten rice?              
Has not John( N) eaten rice?		Have they not eaten rice?

Other Examples

  1. Has he not played football?
  2. Has not the sun risen in the East?
  3. Have you not read history?
  4. Has not John done the work?
  5. Have you not watched the movie?

Change of Sentences in Present Perfect Tense

Change of Sentences in Present Perfect Tense

Exercises

1. Fill in the gaps by using the Present Perfect Tense of the verbs given in brackets :

(i) He……………………… his meal. (take)
(ii) She …………………….a song (sing)
(iii) She………………………….. me a pen (give)
(iv) You …………………………….a bird (catch)
(vii) They-………………………..this car this year (buy).
(x) I……………………………..(receive) the letter
(v) They…………………………… me with money (help)
(vi) They……………………………. their work in time (finish)
(vii) You ……………………him badly (treat)
(ix)I…………………………….. the zoo (see).