Lesson: The Present Perfect - 1st & 2nd Year Bac (Full lesson + examples & exercises)
Present Perfect Tense
Connect past actions to the present moment
What is the Present Perfect?
We use the Present Perfect to talk about actions that happened in the past but are connected to the present. The exact time is not important or not specified.
Key Uses:
- Actions at an unspecified time in the past
- Life experiences up to now
- Actions that started in the past and continue to the present
- Recent actions with present results
Structure of Present Perfect
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Affirmative | Subject + have/has + past participle | She has visited Morocco. |
| Negative | Subject + have/has + not + past participle | She hasn't visited Morocco. |
| Question | Have/Has + subject + past participle? | Has she visited Morocco? |
Remember: Use have with I, you, we, they | Use has with he, she, it
Past Participles
Regular Past Participles
Regular past participles are formed the same way as past simple (base verb + -ed):
- work → worked → I have worked here for 3 years.
- study → studied → She has studied French since 2020.
- live → lived → They have lived in Casablanca for 10 years.
- play → played → He has played football since he was 5.
Common Irregular Past Participles
Many common verbs have irregular past participles that must be memorized:
| Base Form | Past Participle | Base Form | Past Participle |
|---|---|---|---|
| be | been | go | gone |
| see | seen | do | done |
| eat | eaten | write | written |
| take | taken | make | made |
| give | given | come | come |
| know | known | speak | spoken |
| break | broken | choose | chosen |
| bring | brought | buy | bought |
Time Expressions with Present Perfect
Unfinished Time Periods
- today → I have studied English today.
- this week/month/year → She has visited Paris this year.
- so far → We have finished three exercises so far.
- up to now → He has lived here up to now.
Life Experiences
- ever → Have you ever been to London?
- never → I have never eaten sushi.
- before → I have seen this movie before.
- in my life → This is the best book I have read in my life.
Duration (Still Continuing)
- for + period → They have lived here for 5 years.
- since + starting point → I have known him since 2010.
- recently / lately → She has been very busy recently.
Recent Past with Present Results
- just → I have just finished my homework.
- already → We have already seen that film.
- yet (questions/negatives) → Have you finished yet?
Present Perfect vs Past Simple
Present Perfect
- ✅ Connection to present
- ✅ Unspecified time
- ✅ Life experiences
- ✅ Duration continuing to now
"I have been to Paris."
(Experience in life, time not important)
Past Simple
- ✅ Finished past action
- ✅ Specific time mentioned
- ✅ Historical facts
- ✅ Completed sequences
"I went to Paris in 2019."
(Specific time, finished action)
Common Uses with Examples
Life Experiences
- I have traveled to many countries.
- She has never seen snow before.
- Have you ever been to Japan?
- This is the most beautiful place I have ever visited.
Recent Actions with Present Results
- I have just finished my homework. (Now I'm free!)
- They have already left. (They're not here now.)
- It has started raining. (The ground is wet now.)
- Have you done your assignment yet?
Duration (Actions Still Continuing)
- We have lived here for 10 years.
- He has worked at this company since 2015.
- I have known her since childhood.
- She has been sick for three days.
Unfinished Time Periods
- I have read two books this month.
- We have had a lot of rain this year.
- She has called me three times today.
Practice Exercises
A. Complete with the correct form of Present Perfect
- 1. I __________ (never / see) such a beautiful sunset.
- 2. __________ you __________ (finish) your project yet?
- 3. They __________ (live) in Marrakech for 5 years.
- 4. She __________ (just / arrive) at the airport.
- 5. We __________ (not / decide) where to go on vacation.
B. Choose Present Perfect or Past Simple
- 1. I __________ (visit) London last summer. / I __________ (visit) London many times.
- 2. She __________ (study) French since 2019. / She __________ (study) French in high school.
- 3. __________ (you / see) the new movie? / __________ (you / see) the movie yesterday?
- 4. He __________ (work) here for 3 years. / He __________ (work) there from 2018 to 2021.
C. Make questions using Present Perfect
- 1. She has traveled to Europe. → ___________________________
- 2. They have finished the assignment. → ___________________________
- 3. He has lived here for 3 years. → ___________________________
- 4. I have seen this movie before. → ___________________________
Speaking Practice:
- Ask your partner: "Have you ever...?" about different experiences
- Share recent news using "I have just..." or "I have recently..."
- Talk about duration: "I have lived here for..." or "I have studied English since..."
Remember: Present Perfect connects past actions to the present. Don't mention specific past times like "yesterday," "last week," or "in 2019" with Present Perfect!
