Grammar: B1 - ⚙️ Verbs in Depth: ⏳ Perfect & Continuous Tenses - Lesson 1: Present Perfect Tense (Experiences, unfinished past - with for, since, ever, never, yet, already)

Grammar: Present Perfect

B1 Lesson 18: Connecting Past and Present

What you will learn: By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use the Present Perfect tense with key signal words to talk about life experiences, unfinished situations, and recent past events.

What is the Present Perfect?

The Present Perfect is a very common English tense that acts like a bridge, connecting the past to the present moment. We use it when the past action has a result or relevance now.

1. Unfinished Past

To talk about situations that started in the past and continue to the present. We use for (a period of time) and since (a point in time).

Example: She has lived in Siem Reap for three years. (She still lives here now).

2. Life Experiences

To talk about experiences in your life where the specific time is not important. We use ever (in questions) and never (for negatives).

Example: Have you ever tried fried tarantula? No, I have never eaten it.

3. Recent Past

For recent events that have a result now. We use already (sooner than expected) and yet (in negatives and questions).

Example: I've already finished my homework, so I can go out.

The Grammar Rule 📖

How to Form the Present Perfect

Form	Structure	Example
Positive (+)	Subject + have/has + Past Participle	I have seen that movie.
Negative (-)	Subject + haven't/hasn't + Past Participle	He hasn't visited Kep.
Question (?)	Have/Has + Subject + Past Participle?	Have they eaten yet?

Remember: Use 'has' for he, she, it. Use 'have' for all other subjects. The past participle is the third form of the verb (e.g., go, went, gone).

In Conversation

Let's see how these words are used in a natural conversation between two friends in Siem Reap.

Nita: Hi Malea! I haven't seen you for ages! How are you?

Malea: I'm great! I've been very busy since I started my new job.

Nita: That's right! Have you ever worked in a hotel before?

Malea: No, I've never done this kind of work. It's interesting! Have you eaten lunch yet?

Nita: Yes, I've already eaten. But I'll have a coffee with you!

Practice Your Grammar 🎯

Exercise: Choose the Correct Word

Choose the best word to complete each sentence.

1. I've lived in Cambodia _______ 2020.
   → since
2. Have you _______ seen the sunrise at Angkor Wat?
   → ever
3. He hasn't finished his report _______.
   → yet
4. She has known him _______ five years.
   → for
5. A: "Do you want to see the new movie?" B: "No thanks, I've _______ seen it."
   → already

Your Grammar Mission ⭐

Your Life Experiences

Practice using the Present Perfect by writing sentences about yourself.

• Write one thing you have already done today.
• Write one thing you haven't done yet today.
• Write about a type of food you have never tried.
• Write about how long you have studied English, using for or since.

Key Vocabulary

• Tense (Noun) | កាល
  A grammar form of a verb showing the time of an action (past, present, future).
• Past Participle (Noun) | ទម្រង់ទី៣នៃកិរិយាស័ព្ទ
  The third form of a verb, used in perfect tenses (e.g., eat, ate, eaten).
• Experience (Noun) | បទពិសោធន៍
  Something you have done or that has happened in your life.