Making Sentences in the Present Perfect

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 76 views

**Present Perfect: Making Sentences and Asking Questions** ===========================================================

Introduction

The present perfect is a verb tense that is used to talk about actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. It is a powerful tool in English grammar that helps us express a wide range of ideas and experiences. In this article, we will explore how to make sentences and ask questions in the present perfect.

Making Sentences in the Present Perfect

1. Using "has" and "have" with the Past Participle

To make a sentence in the present perfect, we need to use the auxiliary verb "has" or "have" with the past participle of the main verb. The past participle is usually formed by adding "-ed" to the base form of the verb.

Example: My mum has visited a safari park.
Explanation: The auxiliary verb "has" is used with the past participle "visited" to form the present perfect sentence.

2. Using "has" and "have" with the Past Participle (Negative Form)

To make a negative sentence in the present perfect, we use "hasn't" or "haven't" instead of "has" or "have".

Example: My mum hasn't visited a safari park.
Explanation: The auxiliary verb "hasn't" is used with the past participle "visited" to form the negative present perfect sentence.

3. Using "has" and "have" with the Past Participle (Question Form)

To make a question in the present perfect, we use "has" or "have" with the past participle and invert the subject and auxiliary verb.

Example: Has your mum visited a safari park?
Explanation: The auxiliary verb "has" is inverted with the subject "your mum" to form the question in the present perfect.

4. Using "has" and "have" with the Past Participle (Question Form with Negative)

To make a negative question in the present perfect, we use "hasn't" or "haven't" instead of "has" or "have".

Example: Hasn't your mum visited a safari park?
Explanation: The auxiliary verb "hasn't" is used with the past participle "visited" to form the negative question in the present perfect.

Examples of Present Perfect Sentences

I have never camped in the winter.
She has visited many countries in her life.
They haven't eaten breakfast yet.
We have been to the beach many times.

Examples of Present Perfect Questions

Has he finished his homework?
Have you ever been to Paris?
Hasn't she read that book?
Have they been to the movies recently?

Conclusion

The present perfect is a versatile verb tense that can be used to talk about actions that started in the past and continue up to the present moment. By using "has" and "have" with the past participle, we can make sentences and ask questions in the present perfect. Remember to use the correct form of the auxiliary verb and the past participle to form the present perfect sentence or question.

Practice Exercises

Make a sentence in the present perfect using the verb "visit".
Ask a question in the present perfect using the verb "eat".
Make a negative sentence in the present perfect using the verb "go".
Ask a negative question in the present perfect using the verb "read".

Answer Key

I have visited many cities in my life.
Has she eaten breakfast yet?
They haven't gone to the movies recently.
Hasn't he read that book?