Present perfect is one of the most important English verb
tenses.  

STRUCTURE

Subject + Have/Has + (Not or Never) + Past Participle + Object

  • I have eaten.
  • She has not eaten.

                   
Contractions:
Have + Not = haven’t                   
Has   + Not = hasn’t                         












QUESTIONS

Have/Has + Subject + Past Participle + Object

  • Have you visited Texas?
  • Has she driven a motorcycle?

Answers:
  • Yes, I have.
  • No, I haven’t.

  • Yes, she has.
  • No, she hasn't.


USES

Actions in the past with no specific time.  This means the time
is unknown or not important.

  • I have visited Montreal.
  • They have tried sushi.


Activities that affect the present or continue in the present
     
  • I have been a teacher for 10 years.  
      (This person continues to be a teacher)

  • She has always loved to read.          
      (She still loves to read)


Present Perfect is used differently than Simple Past.

  • I have been to England.                 (No time)
  • I went to England last year.           (Time)

You can't use Present Perfect with time phrases.

Example:         
yesterday, last week, 3 days ago, when I was 16, etc.  

You can use Present perfect with
ever, never, once, several times, a few times, still, yet, already

Examples:

  • I have eaten sushi yesterday.                (incorrect)
  • I have eaten sushi 3 times.                    (correct)

  • She has learned English 3 years ago.   (incorrect)
  • She has never learned English.             (correct)
I have
 I've
You have
 You've
He has
 He's
She has
 She's
It has
  
We have
 We've
They have
 They've

Present Perfect

Business English
Practice Present Perfect with these tests:

Present Perfect Test 2
Present Perfect vs. Simple Past Test
Present Perfect vs. Simple Past Test 2

Try this reading to review the present perfect:

Present Perfect Reading

Here are some songs that use the present perfect:

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For  -  U2