The Present Perfect Tense - Tenses, English, Class 8 | English Class 8 PDF Download

Structure

Let’s understand them with examples:

Note:
 Short form of have not = haven’t
 Short form of has not = hasn’t

Uses
 The Present Perfect Tense is used to

1. express an action which has just been completed; e.g.,
 (i) I have learnt the lesson.
 (ii) The boy has got punishment.
 (iii) Rekha has eaten guavas.
 (iv) We have completed our work. 

2. express an action began in the past and completed at the present time; e.g.,
 (i) The ice has frozen.
 (ii) We have read the story.
 (iii) The train has arrived.
 (iv) Boys have come. 

3. express an action which happened in the past at an indefinite time. We either know the time of its happening or we don’t mention it; e.g.,
 (i) They have visited hill stations.
 (ii) The man has helped me.
 (iii) I have gone to Mumbai.
 (iv) I have seen the Taj Mahal. 

4. express an action which began in the past and has continued upto the present. For this, we use for and since to denote the length of time. For is used to show the length of time and since is used to show the point of time; e.g.,
 (i) We have lived in Mumbai since 2000.
 (ii) They have lived in London since 1989. 

5. In the sentences having ‘yet’ negative sentences of this are formed; e.g.,
 (i) My father has not come yet.
 (ii) They have not finished their work yet.
 (iii) He has not reached home yet.