📘 Part of the Complete English Course · Intermediate (B1), week 1
We use the present perfect (have / has + past participle) to talk about experience up to now (I've worked in aged care) and situations that started in the past and continue now (I've lived here for three years).
The rules
Form
| Subject | have / has | past participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| I / you / we / they | have ('ve) | worked | I've worked in hospitality. |
| he / she / it | has ('s) | lived | She's lived in Perth since 2019. |
For or since?
| Word | Use with | Example |
|---|---|---|
| for | a length of time | for six months, for ten years |
| since | a starting point | since 2020, since January, since I arrived |
Ever and never
| Question / answer | Example |
|---|---|
| Have you ever…? | Have you ever worked in a team? |
| I've never… | I've never used that software, but I learn quickly. |
Remember
- Don't use the present perfect with a finished time (yesterday, in 2019): I worked there in 2019 (not 'I've worked there in 2019').
- Common irregular past participles: been, done, had, made, seen, taken, written, worked (regular).
- In interviews: 'I've been a nurse for eight years' sounds natural and confident.
Listen and repeat
- I've worked in customer service for five years.
- Have you ever used a forklift?
- I've lived in Australia since 2021.
- She's never been to Tasmania.
Common mistakes
| Not this | Say this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I've worked here since 2020. | Started in the past and continues: present perfect. | |
| I went there last year. | Finished time: past simple. | |
| since 2019 | since + a starting point. |
Check yourself
Loading questions…
Frequently asked questions
When do we use Present perfect in English?
We use the present perfect (have / has + past participle) to talk about experience up to now (I've worked in aged care) and situations that started in the past and continue now (I've lived here for three years). Don't use the present perfect with a finished time (yesterday, in 2019): I worked there in 2019 (not 'I've worked there in 2019').
What are common mistakes with Present perfect?
Say 'I've worked here since 2020.', not 'I work here since 2020.' (Started in the past and continues: present perfect). Say 'I went there last year.', not 'I've been there last year.' (Finished time: past simple). Say 'since 2019', not 'for 2019' (since + a starting point).
What level is this Present perfect lesson?
It's a Intermediate (B1) lesson, week 1 of the free Complete English Course. It takes about 10 minutes and ends with a quiz.