Grammar: Present Perfect
B1 Lesson 18: Unfinished Past & Life Experiences
When to Use the Present Perfect
The Present Perfect tense is very common in English. We use it to connect the past with the present. The two most important uses are for talking about situations that are still true and for talking about life experiences.
Actions or situations that started in the past and continue to the present.
Example: She has lived in Siem Reap for five years. (She still lives here).
Actions that happened at some time in your life. The exact time is not important.
Example: I have visited Angkor Wat many times. (In my life).
The Grammar Rule 📖
Structure and Signal Words
| Structure: Subject + have/has + Past Participle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Positive (+) | I have seen that movie. / He has visited Kep. | |
| Negative (-) | We haven't finished yet. / She hasn't called. | |
| Question (?) | Have you ever eaten amok? / Has he lived here for a long time? | |
| Signal Word | Use | Example |
| for / since | Unfinished Past (how long) | I've known him for 3 years / since 2022. |
| ever / never | Life Experiences | Have you ever been to Thailand? / I have never tried that. |
| already / yet | Recent Past | He has already left. / Have you eaten yet? |
Writing Application: The Topic Sentence ✍️
The Present Perfect is excellent for writing a topic sentence (the main idea of a paragraph) about your life experiences. A strong topic sentence has a Topic and a Controlling Idea (your opinion or focus).
Example: "My experience traveling around Cambodia has taught me several important lessons."
- Topic: My experience traveling around Cambodia
- Controlling Idea: has taught me several important lessons
This is a perfect topic sentence. The rest of the paragraph will now explain what those lessons are.
Practice Your Grammar & Writing 🎯
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Signal Word
Choose the best word to complete each sentence.
- I haven't finished my homework _______. (for / yet)
→ yet - Have you _______ tried snake wine? (ever / never)
→ ever - She has lived in Phnom Penh _______ 2019. (for / since)
→ since - A: "Don't forget to call your mother!" B: "I've _______ called her." (already / yet)
→ already
Exercise 2: Identify the Topic & Controlling Idea
In the topic sentence below, find the two parts.
"Working as a tour guide in Siem Reap has been the most rewarding experience of my life."
→ Topic: Working as a tour guide in Siem Reap
→ Controlling Idea: has been the most rewarding experience of my life
Your Grammar Mission ⭐
Write About Your Experiences
Choose one of the topics below and write a short paragraph (3-4 sentences). Your paragraph must:
- Start with a strong topic sentence using the Present Perfect.
- Include at least one other sentence with a signal word (e.g., for, since, never).
Topics: Learning English, A job you have had, A favorite hobby.
Key Vocabulary
- Present Perfect A tense used to connect the past and present, often for life experiences or unfinished actions.
- Past Participle The third form of a verb used in perfect tenses (e.g., go, went, gone).
- Topic Sentence The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph.
- Controlling Idea The part of the topic sentence that shows the writer's specific focus or opinion.