Present Perfect Tense Examples

These present perfect tense examples will ensure you understand the context of using this tense.

The main use of the present perfect is to talk about something that started in the past but has relevance to the present. For example it is something still going on or is something that has just happened.

These examples of the present perfect tense illustrate the main ways that it is used and the words it's commonly used with. At the end of the page there are examples of how it might be used in an everyday conversation.

Just as a reminder, this is how we form the Present Perfect:

have + past participle

Positive: I have taken the test

Negative: I haven't taken the test

Question: Have you taken the test?

Something happening at an unspecified time in the past

These present perfect tense examples are of things that happened in the past, but a specific time is not mentioned. This may be because it is not known or it isn't important.

I've been to Europe many times
Have you been to Spain?
We haven't eaten there before
I've taken my driving test
She has written several books
Have you seen Game of Thrones?

Ever and Never

Ever and never are commonly used with the present perfect tense.

It is similar to the examples above yet they are placed in the sentence to specifically clarify it refers to experiences in one's whole life (so from birth up until now).

Note that ever is for questions and never for statements, though never can be used in a question form if it is with another question word e.g. why.

Ever

Has she ever been to America?
Have you ever been married?
Have you ever eaten sushi?
Has the government ever changed their manifesto?

Never

I've never been to America
They have never married
Why have you never helped me with my homework?
He has never given me any feedback on my work

For and Since

With For and Since, a time is given, but again it is referring to something that has not finished. For refers to the duration of time whereas since simply states the time when something started.

For

I've studied French for three years
Mick has been married for two months
The restaurant has stopped doing take-aways for one week
Have you lived here for long?

Since

I've studied French since 2016
Mick has been married since February
The restaurant has stopped doing take-aways since the start of the month
Have you lived here since May?

Just, Already, Yet, Still

These words can be used with others but are commonly used with the present perfect. Here are some present perfect tense examples with Just, Already, Yet, and Still:

Just

She has just arrived
Have you just eaten the last sweet?
John just found out he has passed all his exams
We have just arrived

Already

We've already eaten, so we don't need any food
Why have you already left? We are not meeting till later
My daughter has already gone to university
Have they already booked the holiday?

Yet

Has Susan arrived yet?
I haven't taken my tablets yet
It's late. Hasn't he phoned yet to say he got home ok?
Have they booked the holiday yet?

Still

He has still got his beard. He should shave it off
Have you still got that book you borrowed?
I've still got to clean the dishes
The shop has still got a sale on

Present Perfect Tense Examples in a Conversation

This is a conversation where the present perfect is used. Can you spot some of the words from above?

Hi Jack, how are you doing?
I'm doing really well. I've just booked a holiday!
Oh great, where are you going?
South Africa.
Have you been there before?
No. I've visited the African continent, but not South Africa. Have you ever been to South Africa?
No, I've never been, but I'd love to go.
So what are you up to?
I've just started a new job actually.
Oh, where's that?
Same place. It's just a promotion.
You've worked there for about 10 years now haven't you?
Ha ha, yes I've still not left. I've worked there since 2008.
Anyway, I have to get off. See you later.