Present Perfect Simple
The Present Perfect Simple is used to connect the past with the present. We make it with have / has + the past participle. For most verbs, the past participle is the same as the past simple form (for example, play → played).
Some verbs change their spelling (for example, study → studied), and many are irregular (for example, go → gone, write → written). You can find a full list of irregular verbs in the related lessons below.
How to Form the Present Perfect Simple
Positive Sentences
To make the positive, use have / has + the past participle.
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
| I have played | I've played |
| You have worked | You've worked |
| He has written | He's written |
| She has walked | She's walked |
| It has rained | It's rained |
| We have travelled | We've travelled |
| They have studied | They've studied |
Negative Sentences
To make the negative, add not after have or has.
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
| I have not eaten breakfast today | I haven't eaten |
| You have not been to Asia | You haven't been |
| He has not seen the new film | He hasn't seen |
| She has not played tennis | She hasn't played |
| It has not snowed this winter | It hasn't snowed |
| We have not slept all night | We haven't slept |
| They have not tried the food | They haven't tried |
Yes / No Questions
To make a question, put have / has before the subject.
Examples:
- Have I missed the bus?
- Have you visited London?
- Has he worked as a waiter before?
- Has she met John?
- Has it been cold this week?
- Have we arrived too early?
- Have they studied English grammar before?
Wh- Questions
For wh- questions, place the question word before have / has.
Examples:
- Where have I left my umbrella?
- What have you done today?
- Why has he gone already?
- Where has she been in the UK?
- Why has it rained so much this summer?
- What have we done?
- Where have they learned English before?
When do we use the Present Perfect Simple?
Focus on usage: how to use the Present Perfect Simple
Related Lessons
Present Perfect Continuous
Learn how to describe ongoing actions that started in the past and continue now.
Present Perfect or Past Simple
See when to talk about life experience vs completed actions.
Present Perfect Simple or Present Perfect Continuous
Learn when to focus on results and when to focus on ongoing activity.