Unit 24: PRESENT PERFECT -- FORMATION
We use the present tense of the auxiliary verb have (Unit 17) before the past participle form (Unit 14).
In the simple formation, the participle is the lexical verb (Unit 3); in the continuous formation, the participle is been, with the -ing form of the lexical verb after it.
Simple (have + past participle)
STATEMENTS
EXAMPLES:
He has worked very hard this shift.
The meeting has not started yet.
I have rented a truck for two weeks.
They haven't fixed my truck yet.
QUESTIONS
EXAMPLES:
Have you finished yet?
What has she decided to do?
Why have they left?
NOTICE: For spelling problems with the -ing form of the verb, look at Appendix 6.
Continuous (have been -ing form)
STATEMENTS
EXAMPLES:
I have been working on the rigs for four years.
He has been welding on the pipeline for two months.
We've been loading pipe onto this truck all day.
QUESTIONS
EXAMPLES:
Have you been working hard recently?
What's she been doing?
Why have you been loading so much?
Notes on past participles
Many verbs do not have an -ed participle (Appendices 10 and 11).
Have can be an AUXILIARY and a LEXICAL verb (Unit 3).
EXAMPLES:
Have the girls had lunch yet?
We have been having a good time.
Go has two past participles
EXAMPLES:
He has gone to Edmonton. [not here now]
He has been to Edmonton. [went and returned]
NOTICE: Unit 25 tells you about the use of present perfect.