Present Perfect ESL Worksheets

ESL worksheets are an essential resource for English language learners to practice and master various grammar concepts, and one area of grammar that often proves challenging is the present perfect tense. In order to help ESL students strengthen their understanding of this tense, a range of carefully designed and engaging present perfect ESL worksheets are available. These worksheets cater to learners of all levels and provide opportunities to grasp the form, usage, and meaning of the present perfect tense.

  Present Perfect

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  Present Perfect Tense

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  Present Perfect Past Simple Test

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  Present Perfect Tense Worksheet

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  Present Perfect Progressive Tense Worksheets

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  Present Perfect Board Game PDF

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  Present perfect tense

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  Two Pictures Find Difference Between Present Continuous

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  Simple Past vs Present Perfect Continuous Exercises PDF

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  Christmas Verb Worksheet Printable Free

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  List of Examples of Irregular Verbs

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  Simple Past Tense Exercises

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  Word Bingo Cards

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What is the present perfect tense?

The present perfect tense is a verb tense used to express actions that were completed at an unspecified time in the past or have a connection to the present. It is formed by combining the auxiliary verb "have" or "has" with the past participle of the main verb.

How is the present perfect tense formed?

The present perfect tense is formed by using the auxiliary verb "have" or "has" followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, "I have studied," "She has worked," "They have traveled." This tense is used to indicate actions that have been completed at a non-specific time in the past or have relevance to the present moment.

When do we use the present perfect tense?

We use the present perfect tense to indicate actions that started in the past and continue into the present, actions that have recently been completed, or past actions with a relevance to the present moment.

What are some common time expressions used with the present perfect tense?

Some common time expressions used with the present perfect tense are "recently," "lately," "in recent years," "so far," "up to now," "already," "ever," "never," "just," "yet," "since," and "for." These time expressions help clarify when an action or event occurred in relation to the present moment, emphasizing the connection between the past and the present.

Can we use specific time expressions with the present perfect tense?

Yes, specific time expressions can be used with the present perfect tense. Time expressions such as "today," "this week," "in the last month," and "since this morning" can be used to indicate when an action started or its duration up to the present moment. However, keep in mind that the present perfect tense focuses on the connection between the past and the present, so the time expressions used with it should be relevant to this relationship.

What is the difference between the present perfect tense and the simple past tense?

The present perfect tense is formed by combining the past participle of a verb with the auxiliary verb "have" or "has," indicating an action that has been completed at some point in the past but its exact time is not specified or relevant to the present moment. On the other hand, the simple past tense is used to describe actions that were completed at a specific time in the past. So, while the present perfect focuses on the connection between past actions and the present, the simple past is more concerned with a clear point in the past when the action took place.

When do we use the present perfect tense with adverbs such as "ever" and "never"?

We use the present perfect tense with adverbs such as "ever" and "never" when we want to talk about experiences or actions that have occurred at an unspecified time in the past or that have relevance to the present moment. For example, "I have never been to Paris" or "Have you ever tasted sushi?" The present perfect is used to emphasize the connection between the past experience or action and the present moment.

Can we use the present perfect tense to talk about past experiences?

Yes, the present perfect tense is commonly used to talk about past experiences that have relevance to the present moment. This tense indicates that an action or event occurred at an unspecified time before now, and the focus is on the result or the impact of the past experience on the present situation.

How do we form questions and negatives in the present perfect tense?

To form questions and negatives in the present perfect tense, you typically start with the auxiliary verb "have" (or "has" when the subject is third person singular) followed by the past participle form of the main verb. For questions, you invert the subject and the auxiliary verb, placing the auxiliary verb before the subject. For negatives, you add the word "not" after the auxiliary verb. For example, "Have you completed the project?" (question) and "She has not finished her homework yet." (negative).

What are some common mistakes to avoid when using the present perfect tense?

Some common mistakes to avoid when using the present perfect tense include using it with specific time expressions like "yesterday" or "last week," failing to use "have" or "has" as the auxiliary verb, combining it with past simple tense in the same sentence unnecessarily, and not considering the relevance of the action to the present moment. It is important to remember that the present perfect is used to indicate past actions that have a connection to the present, rather than focusing solely on the past event itself.