INTRODUCTION
The present perfect is a verb tense used to describe actions or events that started in the past but have a connection to the present. This connection can be a continuing result, a past action that has relevance to the present, or a repeated action.
The present perfect is formed using the present tense of the auxiliary verb “to have” followed by the past participle of the main verb. For regular verbs, the past participle is formed by adding “-ed” to the base form of the verb. For irregular verbs, the past participle form must be memorized.
For example:
- “I have eaten breakfast” (continuing result: the action of eating breakfast has been completed, but the result of being full continues in the present).
- “She has studied hard this semester” (relevance to the present: the past action of studying has relevance to the present, indicating that she may have good grades or understanding of the material).
- “We have visited Paris three times” (repeated action: the past action of visiting Paris has been repeated three times).
The present perfect tense can also be used to talk about actions or events that happened at an unspecified time in the past. For example, “He has seen that movie before” indicates that the action of seeing the movie happened at some point in the past, but the exact time is not important.
It’s important to note that the present perfect tense is often used in combination with time expressions such as “just,” “already,” “yet,” and “ever” to indicate the timing or completion of an action. For example, “I have just finished my homework” or “Have you ever been to New York City?”
In addition, the present perfect tense is often used in British English to describe a recent action that has relevance to the present, whereas in American English the past simple tense is often used in these situations. For example, in British English one might say “I have lost my keys,” whereas in American English one might say “I lost my keys.”
The Present Perfect tense is a rather important tense in English, but it gives speakers of some languages a difficult time. That is because it uses concepts or ideas that do not exist in those languages. In fact, the structure of the Present Perfect is very simple. The problems come with the use of the tense. In addition, there are some differences in usage between British and American English.
In this lesson we look at the structure and use of the Present Perfect tense, as well as the use of for and since followed by a quiz to check your understanding.
We use the Present Perfect to talk about:
experience
change
continuing situation
Example:
POSITIVE FORM
I have learned English.
(Saya telah belajar Bahasa Inggris)
You have studied for ten hours.
(Anda telah belajar selama sepuluh jam)
We have been in New York since last Tuesday.
(Kami telah berada di New York sejak Selasa lalu)
They have lived in this city for years.
(Mereka telah tinggal di kota ini selama bertahun-tahun)
He has worked for this company since five years ago.
(Laki-laki itu bekerja untuk perusahaan ini sejak lima tahun lalu)
She has finished her homework.
(Dia telah menyelesaikan pekerjaan rumahnya)
He bought the painting in 1990, and it has been hung in his room ever since.
(Dia membeli lukisan itu pada tahun 1990, dan lukisan itu telah digantung di kamarnya sejak saat itu)
Tina and Diana have tried to fix the car for hours.
(Tina dan Diana telah mencoba memperbaiki mobil selama berjam-jam)
Wayan has started a new job.
(Wayan telah memulai pekerjaan baru)
This building has been shut down since 70s.
(Bangunan ini telah ditutup sejak tahun 70-an)
NEGATIVE FORM
I have not been to Borneo.
(Saya belum pernah ke Borneo)
Harry has not tried the cake yet.
(Harry belum mencoba kuenya)
They still haven’t arrived.
(Mereka masih belum tiba)
Ken hasn’t read to my text.
(Jojo belum membaca SMS says)
I haven’t gotten any response from the customer yet.
(Saya belum mendapat tanggapan dari pelanggan)
Some students have not returned the pens.
(Beberapa siswa belum mengembalikan pulpen)
We have not had our lunch yet.
(Kami belum makan siang)
Nina still hasn’t sent the assignment to me.
(Nina masih belum mengirimkan tugas kepada saya)
Lory and Komang still have not heard the great news yet.
(Lory dan Komang masih belum mendengar kabar baik tersebut)
I haven’t called my uncle and aunt since last month.
(Saya belum menelepon paman dan bibi saya sejak bulan lalu)
INTERROGATIVE FORM
Have you eaten martabak?
(Apakah anda sudah makan martabak?)
Has he checked the appointment?
(Apakah dia telah memeriksa perjanjian itu?)
Have you seen my car?
(Apakah anda pernah melihat mobil saya?)
Has she met Monica yet?
(Apakah dia sudah bertemu Monica?)
Have we met that man before?
(Apakah kita pernah bertemu sebelumnya?)
Have you taken the burger?
(Apakah anda sudah mengambil burger itu?)
Have they tried our special breakfast menu?
(Apakah mereka sudah mencoba hidangan menu sarapan spesial kami?)
Has Olivia visited this school before?
(Apakah Olivia pernah mengunjungi sekolah ini sebelumnya?)
Has your mother visited Bali?
(Apakah ibu anda pernah mengunjungi Bali?)
Have you taken a picture with a famous football player?
(Apakah anda pernah berfoto dengan pemain sepak bola terkenal?)
