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Present perfect: explanation and exercises

B1Updated 2026-09-216 exercises

The present perfect links the past to the present. It is used for experiences, recent news and situations that started in the past and continue now. Time expressions such as ever, never, already, yet, for and since usually appear with it.

How it is formed

Affirmative

I have visited Paris. / She has finished.

Negative

I haven’t seen it. / He hasn’t called yet.

Question

Have you ever eaten sushi?

How long has she lived here?

When to use it

  • Life experiences: I have been to Canada.
  • Unfinished time: We have lived here since 2019.
  • Recent results: I have lost my keys.

Common mistakes

  • Not thisI have seen him yesterday.

    Say thisI saw him yesterday.

    With a finished time (yesterday, last week), use the past simple.

  • Not thisI am here for two hours.

    Say thisI have been here for two hours.

    A situation that continues up to now needs the present perfect.

  • Not thisWe’ve known each other since ten years.

    Say thisWe’ve known each other for ten years.

    For + length of time; since + starting point.

Tips for teaching it

  • Anchor it in “life so far”: a class survey of Have you ever…? is instant, real practice.
  • Give students the for / since rule as two questions: how long (for) or from when (since)?
  • Keep past participles in their own recurring warm-up; many are the same as the past simple.

Practice: present perfect exercises

Try these exercises. Answers are checked in your browser and never sent to us. Teachers can share this page with a class as it is.

1Complete the sentence.

IParis three times.

2Complete the sentence.

Sheher homework yet.

3Complete the sentence.

you ever eaten sushi?

4Complete the sentence.

They have lived here2019.

Which sentence is correct?

We’ve known each other ___ ten years.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between present perfect and past simple?

Past simple is for finished actions at a stated time. Present perfect connects to now: no finished time, or a situation that continues.

Have been or have gone?

Have been means you went and came back (She has been to Rome). Have gone means the person is still there.