Present Perfect Tense Explained

Even after many years of living, working, and studying in English, some students use the perfect tense incorrectly. Here is a simple three-step explanation with examples.

Basically, present perfect is used to refer to actions that took place within a time period that is still present. For example, “I have talked to Sam today”. My action of talking to Sam is finished, but the time period, today, is still present. If the time period has passed, I need to use simple past, “I talked to Sam last night”.

To develop more advanced writing skills and improve grades sign up for our programs.