Grammar Lesson: Perfect Tenses
Time: 60 minutes
Level: A2
Skills: Grammar + Speaking + Writing
[Link]-up:
1. Have you ever eaten sushi?
2. What have you done today?
3. Had you learned English before this course?
4. What will you have done by the weekend?
Tense Form Example Sentence Use
Present Perfect have/has + past participle I have visited London. Experience / recent actions
Past Perfect had + past participle She had finished dinner. Action before another
Future Perfect will have + past participle They will have left by 8 PM. Action before future time
Present Perfect Simple – Explained
Form (Structure)
have / has + past participle (3rd form of the verb)
Subject Auxiliary Past Participle Example
I / you / we / they have seen, eaten, gone I have seen that film.
he / she / it has finished, written She has finished her homew
Negative:
→ I haven’t seen it. / She hasn’t finished yet.
Question:
→ Have you ever been to Paris?
→ Has he done his homework?
When do we use Present Perfect?
We use it when there’s a connection between the past and now.
a) Life experiences (without saying when)
I’ve visited London.
She has never tried sushi.
Have you ever flown in a helicopter?
We don’t say when — the time is not important or not mentioned.
b) Recent actions with present results
I’ve lost my keys. (→ I don’t have them now.)
She’s just finished work. (→ Now she’s free.)
Have you done your homework? (→ We want to know the result.)
c) Actions that started in the past and continue now
I’ve lived here for five years. (→ I still live here.)
He has worked at this company since 2019.
Use for (a period of time) and since (a point in time).
Common Time Expressions
Expression Example
just I’ve just eaten.
already She’s already gone.
yet (neg & ? ) Have you finished yet? / I haven’t called her yet.
ever / never Have you ever been to Italy? / I’ve never seen snow.
for / since I’ve worked here for 3 years / since 2020.
so far / recently I’ve met three new people so far today.
Common Mistakes:
❌ I have went to the store.
✅ I have gone to the store.
❌ Did you have ever been there?
✅ Have you ever been there?
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday. (→ Use Past Simple when you say when.)
Practice Sentences
I __________ (see) that movie three times.
She __________ (not/try) yoga before.
__________ you ever __________ (eat) Thai food?
We __________ (live) here since 2017.
He __________ (just/finish) the report.
A Lot Has Changed
Over the past few years, the way people live and work has changed a lot. Many
people have started working from home, and technology has become an even
bigger part of our daily lives. Apps and video calls have replaced many face-to-
face meetings, and people have learned new ways to stay connected online.
Social habits have also shifted. More people have joined online communities, and
many of us have discovered new hobbies like cooking, painting, or learning a new
language. The world has definitely become more digital, and most people have
adapted quickly to this new way of living.
Discussion Questions
[Link] has your daily routine changed in the last few years?
[Link] you learned any new skills recently?
[Link] apps or tools have you used more often lately?
[Link] your hobbies changed? What new things have you tried?
[Link] anything surprised you about how people have adapted to change?
