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Formation and usage of the Present Perfect tense.
The Present Perfect connects a past action or situation with the present.
It is commonly used for experiences, recent events, unfinished time periods, actions with present results, and situations that started in the past and continue until now.
I have visited Italy.
Я посетил Италию.
Experience at an unspecified time.
She has lost her keys.
Она потеряла ключи.
Past action with present result (she doesn't have them now).
We have lived here for five years.
Мы живём здесь пять лет.
Situation continuing until now.
He has just finished his homework.
Он только что закончил домашнее задание.
Recent event with current relevance.
The Present Perfect is formed with have or has followed by the past participle of the main verb.
The basic structure is subject + have or has + past participle. For example, I have finished and She has arrived.
I have finished.
Я закончил.
have + past participle.
She has arrived.
Она приехала.
has + past participle.
They have eaten lunch.
Они пообедали.
have + past participle.
He has gone home.
Он ушёл домой.
has + past participle (irregular).
Use have with I, you, we, and they, and use has with he, she, and it.
For example, I have seen it, They have finished, and She has already left.
I have seen that film.
Я видел этот фильм.
have with I.
You have worked hard.
Ты усердно работал.
have with you.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
has with she.
They have finished.
Они закончили.
have with they.
The Present Perfect requires the past participle form of the main verb.
Regular verbs usually form the past participle with -ed, while irregular verbs have forms such as gone, seen, written, and eaten.
work → worked
работать → работал
Regular past participle with -ed.
go → gone
идти → ушедший
Irregular past participle.
write → written
писать → написанный
Irregular past participle.
eat → eaten
есть → съеденный
Irregular past participle.
Regular verbs usually have the same past simple and past participle forms, while irregular verbs often have different forms.
For example, worked is both the past simple and past participle of work, while wrote is the past simple and written is the past participle of write.
work → worked → worked
работать → работал → работал
Regular: same past simple and participle.
write → wrote → written
писать → написал → написанный
Irregular: different forms.
see → saw → seen
видеть → видел → увиденный
Irregular: different forms.
play → played → played
играть → играл → игранный
Regular.
Affirmative Present Perfect sentences use have or has followed by a past participle.
For example, We have finished the project and She has visited Paris.
We have finished the project.
Мы завершили проект.
Affirmative with have.
She has visited Paris.
Она посетила Париж.
Affirmative with has.
I have read that book.
Я прочитал эту книгу.
Affirmative with have.
He has bought a new car.
Он купил новую машину.
Affirmative with has.
Form negative Present Perfect sentences by adding not after have or has.
For example, I have not finished and He has not called.
I have not finished.
Я не закончил.
have not + past participle.
He has not called.
Он не позвонил.
has not + past participle.
They have not arrived yet.
Они ещё не прибыли.
Negative with yet.
She has not seen that film.
Она не видела этот фильм.
Negative.
Form Present Perfect questions by placing have or has before the subject.
For example, Have you finished? Has she arrived? and What have they done?
Have you finished?
Ты закончил?
Yes/no question with have.
Has she arrived?
Она приехала?
Yes/no question with has.
What have they done?
Что они сделали?
Wh-question with have.
Where has he gone?
Куда он ушёл?
Wh-question with has.
Short answers repeat have or has instead of the main verb.
For example, Yes, I have. No, she has not. Yes, they have.
Have you seen it? — Yes, I have.
Ты видел это? — Да.
Short answer with have.
Has she called? — No, she hasn't.
Она звонила? — Нет.
Short answer with has not.
Have they finished? — Yes, they have.
Они закончили? — Да.
Short answer.
Has he arrived? — No, he hasn't.
Он приехал? — Нет.
Short answer.
Use the Present Perfect to talk about experiences that happened at an unspecified time before now.
For example, I have visited Italy and She has never tried sushi. The exact time is not important or is not mentioned.
I have visited Italy.
Я посетил Италию.
Unspecified time experience.
She has never tried sushi.
Она никогда не пробовала суши.
Negative experience.
Have you ever been to Japan?
Ты когда-нибудь был в Японии?
Question about experience.
They have climbed that mountain.
Они поднимались на ту гору.
Experience.
Use the Present Perfect for actions that happened during a time period that has not finished.
For example, I have had three meetings today. Today is still continuing when the sentence is spoken.
I have had three meetings today.
Сегодня у меня было три встречи.
Today is not finished.
She has drunk four cups of coffee this morning.
Сегодня утром она выпила четыре чашки кофе.
This morning may still be continuing.
We have received three emails this week.
На этой неделе мы получили три письма.
Week not finished.
He has called twice this afternoon.
Сегодня днём он звонил дважды.
Afternoon possibly not finished.
Use the Present Perfect when a completed past action has a result or relevance in the present.
For example, I have lost my keys means that I do not have them now.
I have lost my keys.
Я потерял ключи.
Result: I don't have them now.
She has broken her arm.
Она сломала руку.
Present result: her arm is in a cast.
They have painted the room.
Они покрасили комнату.
Result: the room looks different now.
He has eaten all the cake.
Он съел весь торт.
Result: there is no cake left.
The Present Perfect can describe recent events, especially when the present result or current relevance is important.
Words such as just, already, and recently are commonly used with this meaning.
I have just finished my homework.
Я только что закончил домашнее задание.
just indicates a very recent event.
She has already left.
Она уже ушла.
already shows something happened earlier than expected.
We have recently moved to a new house.
Мы недавно переехали в новый дом.
recently with present perfect.
He has just arrived.
Он только что приехал.
just for immediate past.
The Present Perfect can describe states and situations that started in the past and continue until the present.
For example, I have lived here for ten years means that I started living here in the past and still live here now.
I have lived here for ten years.
Я живу здесь десять лет.
Started in the past, continues now.
She has worked at the bank since 2018.
Она работает в банке с 2018 года.
Continuing employment.
They have known each other for years.
Они знают друг друга много лет.
Stative situation continuing.
He has been ill since Monday.
Он болеет с понедельника.
State continuing until now.
Use for to express a period of time and since to express the starting point of a period.
For example, I have lived here for ten years and I have lived here since 2016.
I have lived here for ten years.
Я живу здесь десять лет.
for + period of time.
I have lived here since 2016.
Я живу здесь с 2016 года.
since + starting point.
She has worked there for five months.
Она работает там пять месяцев.
for + duration.
She has worked there since January.
Она работает там с января.
since + specific time.
Use How long with the Present Perfect to ask about the duration of a situation that started in the past and continues until now.
For example, How long have you lived here? and How long has she known him?
How long have you lived here?
Как долго ты здесь живёшь?
Question about duration.
How long has she known him?
Как долго она его знает?
Stative verb in present perfect.
How long have they been married?
Как долго они женаты?
Duration question.
How long has he worked here?
Как долго он здесь работает?
Duration of employment.
Already is commonly used with the Present Perfect to show that something happened earlier than expected or before now.
It usually appears between have or has and the past participle. For example, She has already finished.
She has already finished.
Она уже закончила.
Already between have/has and participle.
I have already seen that film.
Я уже видел этот фильм.
Already shows earlier than expected.
They have already left.
Они уже ушли.
Already.
He has already eaten.
Он уже поел.
Already in affirmative.
Yet is commonly used in negative sentences and questions to refer to something expected to happen.
It usually appears at the end of the sentence. For example, I have not finished yet and Have you finished yet?
I have not finished yet.
Я ещё не закончил.
Yet at end of negative sentence.
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
Yet in question.
She has not called yet.
Она ещё не позвонила.
Negative with yet.
Have they arrived yet?
Они уже приехали?
Question with yet.
Just can be used with the Present Perfect to describe something that happened a very short time ago.
For example, I have just arrived and She has just called.
I have just arrived.
Я только что приехал.
Very recent action.
She has just called.
Она только что позвонила.
Just for immediate past.
They have just left.
Они только что ушли.
Just.
He has just woken up.
Он только что проснулся.
Just.
Use ever in questions to ask whether something has happened at any time before now.
For example, Have you ever been to Japan? It can also appear in expressions such as the best film I have ever seen.
Have you ever been to Japan?
Ты когда-нибудь был в Японии?
Question with ever.
This is the best film I have ever seen.
Это лучший фильм, который я когда-либо видел.
Superlative with ever.
Have you ever tried Korean food?
Ты когда-нибудь пробовал корейскую еду?
Ever in question.
I don't think I have ever been so happy.
Не думаю, что я когда-либо был так счастлив.
Ever in negative-like context.
Use never with the Present Perfect to say that something has not happened at any time before now.
Because never already has a negative meaning, do not normally use not with it. For example, I have never seen that film.
I have never seen that film.
Я никогда не видел этот фильм.
Never + present perfect.
She has never been abroad.
Она никогда не была за границей.
Never.
They have never tried sushi.
Они никогда не пробовали суши.
Never.
He has never driven a car.
Он никогда не водил машину.
Never.
Recently and lately can be used to refer to a period close to the present.
They are often used with the Present Perfect, especially when discussing recent experiences, events, or changes.
I have recently started a new job.
Я недавно начал новую работу.
Recently.
She has been very busy lately.
В последнее время она очень занята.
Lately with present perfect.
Have you seen any good films lately?
Ты в последнее время смотрел хорошие фильмы?
Lately in question.
They have recently moved here.
Они недавно сюда переехали.
Recently.
Use the Present Perfect after expressions such as This is the first time to describe a new experience.
For example, This is the first time I have flown alone.
This is the first time I have flown alone.
Это первый раз, когда я лечу один.
First time + present perfect.
This is the first time she has visited our city.
Это первый раз, когда она посещает наш город.
First time.
It's the first time they have met.
Это первый раз, когда они встретились.
First time.
This is the first time he has tried sushi.
Это первый раз, когда он пробует суши.
First time.
The Present Perfect is commonly used after superlative expressions to describe experiences.
For example, This is the best restaurant I have ever visited.
This is the best restaurant I have ever visited.
Это лучший ресторан, который я когда-либо посещал.
Superlative + ever + present perfect.
That was the most interesting book I have ever read.
Это была самая интересная книга, которую я когда-либо читал.
Superlative.
She is the kindest person I have ever met.
Она самый добрый человек, которого я когда-либо встречал.
Superlative.
It is the most beautiful place we have ever seen.
Это самое красивое место, которое мы когда-либо видели.
Superlative.
Use the Present Perfect when the past event is connected to the present or when the exact time is not specified. Use the Past Simple when the action happened at a finished and specific time.
Compare I have seen that film with I saw that film last week.
I have seen that film.
Я видел этот фильм.
Present perfect: unspecified time, connection to now.
I saw that film last week.
Я видел этот фильм на прошлой неделе.
Past simple: specific finished time.
She has visited Paris.
Она посетила Париж.
Experience, no specific time.
She visited Paris in 2019.
Она посетила Париж в 2019 году.
Specific past time, past simple.
The Present Perfect often focuses on the result, completion, or state, while the Present Perfect Continuous often emphasizes the duration or activity itself.
Compare I have written three emails with I have been writing emails all morning.
I have written three emails.
Я написал три письма.
Focus on result/completion.
I have been writing emails all morning.
Я пишу письма всё утро.
Focus on duration/activity.
She has read that book.
Она прочитала эту книгу.
Completion.
She has been reading that book for hours.
Она читает эту книгу уже несколько часов.
Duration.
British and American English sometimes differ in their use of the Present Perfect with recent events.
British English more commonly uses the Present Perfect with words such as just and already, while American English may also use the Past Simple in some informal contexts.
I have just eaten.
Я только что поел.
Common in British English.
I just ate.
Я только что поел.
Possible in American English (informal).
Have you finished yet?
Ты уже закончил?
British style with yet.
Did you finish yet?
Ты уже закончил?
American informal with past simple.
Use have or has with the correct past participle and choose the Present Perfect only when the meaning connects the past with the present.
Common mistakes include using the past simple instead of the past participle, using the Present Perfect with a finished time expression such as yesterday, and confusing for with since.
I have saw that film.
Я видел этот фильм.
Incorrect: use past participle "seen".
She has went home.
Она ушла домой.
Incorrect: use "gone", not "went".
I have seen him yesterday.
Я видел его вчера.
Incorrect: don't use present perfect with specific past time; use past simple.
I have lived here since ten years.
Я живу здесь десять лет.
Incorrect: use "for ten years" or "since 2014", not "since ten years".
They have not finished yet?
Они ещё не закончили?
Incorrect word order for question; should be "Have they not finished yet?" or "Haven't they finished yet?"