Using the Present Perfect

By /
Person sharing experiences in a meeting
CEFR: B1-B2
present perfect

Using the Present Perfect



Écoutez le texte du cours.

🎧 Read/Listen first

The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that have occurred at some point in the past but are relevant to the present. For example, you might say, "I have visited Paris." This indicates that the experience of visiting Paris is still significant. It can also express actions that started in the past and continue to the present, like, "I have worked here for five years." This shows that the work experience is ongoing. Additionally, the present perfect can be used to discuss life experiences without specifying when they happened, such as, "I have tried sushi." This emphasizes the experience rather than the time it occurred.

⚡ Learning goals

  • Understand the present perfect tense
  • Use it in conversation
  • Identify its relevance to the present

🔑 Key language

  • I have visited I have visited London three times.
  • I have worked I have worked at this company since 2020.
  • I have tried I have tried many different cuisines.

🌍 Global comprehension

What does the present perfect tense express?

Which sentence is correct?

Complete: She ___ (work) here for two years.

✍️ AI writing analysis

CEFR: B1/B2Length: 3-5 sentences

Task: Write about a personal experience using the present perfect.

Use at least three sentences and include different experiences.

Success criteria: Clear use of present perfect and relevant experiences.

Target vocabulary

  • visited
  • worked
  • tried
Grammar focus

  • present perfect
  • experience
  • ongoing actions

✍️ Vocabulary

experienceKnowledge or skill gained through involvement in an activity..
Traveling gives you a lot of experience.
Repeat: I have experience in marketing.
Défi rapide : Use 'experience' in a sentence.
visitedTo go to see a place or person..
I have visited three countries this year.
Repeat: I have visited London.
Défi rapide : What places have you visited?
workedTo have been employed or engaged in a task..
I have worked here for five years.
Repeat: I have worked in sales.
Défi rapide : Describe where you have worked.
triedTo have made an attempt to do something..
I have tried many different foods.
Repeat: I have tried surfing.
Défi rapide : What new things have you tried?
sinceFrom a specific time in the past until now..
I have lived here since 2010.
Repeat: I have known her since last year.
Défi rapide : Use 'since' in a sentence.

🧠 Flashcards interactives

Choisissez la bonne réponse, écoutez le modèle, puis répétez à voix haute.

Chargement des flashcards interactives…

⚙️ Rules & Grammar

🟣 Present Perfect Structure

Rule:
The present perfect is formed using 'have' or 'has' plus the past participle. It is used to connect past actions to the present.

Examples:

  • I have seen that movie.
  • She has finished her homework.
  • They have traveled to Japan.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Using simple past instead of present perfect. → Use present perfect for relevance to the present.
  • Forgetting to use 'have' or 'has'. → Always include 'have' or 'has'.
✓Check your understanding
Which is the correct structure?

✍Use the language
Complete: They ___ (travel) to Spain.

🟣 Using 'Since' and 'For'

Rule:
Use 'since' for a specific point in time and 'for' for a duration. This helps clarify the time frame of the action.

Examples:

  • I have lived here since 2015.
  • She has known him for ten years.
  • They have worked together since last year.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Confusing 'since' and 'for'. → Remember 'since' is a point in time, 'for' is a duration.
  • Using 'for' with a specific date. → Use 'since' with specific dates.
✓Check your understanding
Choose the correct sentence.

✍Use the language
Complete: She has worked here ___ three years.

🟣 Life Experiences

Rule:
The present perfect is often used to talk about life experiences without specifying when they happened. This emphasizes the experience itself.

Examples:

  • I have visited many countries.
  • He has never tried sushi.
  • They have seen that film before.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Using past simple instead of present perfect. → Use present perfect to emphasize experience.
  • Not using 'ever' or 'never' correctly. → Use 'ever' for questions and 'never' for negatives.
✓Check your understanding
Which sentence correctly uses the present perfect?

✍Use the language
Complete: Have you ___ (try) bungee jumping?

🟣 Negative Forms

Rule:
To make the present perfect negative, add 'not' after 'have' or 'has'. This indicates that the action has not occurred.

Examples:

  • I have not seen that movie.
  • She has not finished her work.
  • They have not traveled this year.
Common pitfall + fix:

  • Forgetting 'not' in negative sentences. → Always include 'not' after 'have' or 'has'.
  • Using double negatives. → Use only one negative in the sentence.
✓Check your understanding
Which is the correct negative form?

✍Use the language
Complete: She has ___ (not/try) that dish.

🧩 Guided practice

Mini-dialogue:
A: Have you ever traveled abroad? B: Yes, I have visited France and Spain.

Why this matters:
Using the present perfect helps share experiences and connect them to the present.

Verb & Adjective Pack:
Practice using the present perfect to talk about your experiences.

Complete: I have ___ (visit) my grandparents.
Complete: They have ___ (work) here since 2019.
Complete: Have you ___ (try) the new restaurant?

🎙️ AI oral analysis

CEFR: B1/B2Oral target: 3-5 sentences

Oral task: Write about your experiences using the present perfect.

Include at least three sentences about different experiences.

Success criteria: Correct use of present perfect and clarity.

Target vocabulary

  • visited
  • worked
  • tried
Grammar focus

  • present perfect
  • experience
  • ongoing actions

🚀 Quick challenge

Listen to the model, repeat aloud, then retry to improve your score.

MEDIUMShare three experiences using the present perfect.
Model: I have visited… I have tried… I have worked…
Correct use of present perfect.
MEDIUMAsk a friend about their experiences.
Model: Have you ever… What have you tried…?
Engage in conversation.
HARDWrite a short paragraph about your experiences.
Model: I have… I have not…
Use present perfect accurately.

AI Conversation Mission

Situation

Discuss your travel experiences with a friend.

Your mission
  • Share three places you have visited.
  • Ask your friend about their experiences.
  • Discuss what you have tried in those places.
Focus language
present perfectexperiencesquestions
Communication tip

Use 'have you ever' to ask about experiences.