When do I use this tense?

Used for:

• actions which started in the past and are still true now
• indefinite time
• open questions

Special rules:

Words that signal use of the tense:

Since, for, ever (with questions), up to now, how long (with questions), yet (with negatives) etc.

How do I make the tense?

The Present Perfect is formed with the helping verb have (or: has) and the third form of the verb.

Which helping verb do I use?

have / has

Here are examples of:

Statements:

• I have (I’ve) worked here since last year.
• You have (You’ve) worked here since last year.
• She has (She’s) worked here since last year.
• He has (He’s) worked here since last year.
• It has (It’s) worked since last year. (E.g. the computer)
• We have (We’ve) worked here since last year.
• You have (You’ve) worked here since last year.
• They have (They’ve) worked here since last year.

Questions:

• Have I worked here since last year?
• Have you worked here since last year?
• Has she worked here since last year?
• Has he worked here since last year?
• Has it worked since last year?
• Have we worked here since last year?
• Have you worked here since last year?
• Have they worked here since last year?

Negatives:

• I have not (haven’t) worked here since last year.
• You have not (haven’t) worked here since last year.
• She has not (hasn’t) worked here since last year.
• He has not (hasn’t) worked here since last year.
• It has not (hasn’t) worked since last year.
• We have not (haven’t) worked here since last year.
• You have not (haven’t) worked here since last year.
• They have not (haven’t) worked here since last year.

Short answers

• Yes, I have.
• Yes, she has.
• No, I have not.
• No, I haven’t
• No, she has not.
• No, she hasn’t.