Present Perfect — English Grammar Exercises
Five topics covering present perfect simple and continuous, and the contrast with past simple.
Past Experiences and Present Results
Have you ever been to Japan? · I've lost my keys
Start practicing → 3 blocks · 45 questionsSituations Up to the Present
I've lived here for ten years · since 2015 · I've known her all my life
Start practicing → 3 blocks · 45 questionsPresent Perfect or Past Simple?
I've seen it vs I saw it yesterday — choose the right tense
Start practicing → 3 blocks · 45 questionsPresent Perfect Continuous
I've been waiting for an hour — duration up to now
Start practicing → 3 blocks · 45 questionsPresent Perfect Simple or Continuous?
I've read three chapters vs I've been reading for two hours
Start practicing → 30 questionsTest Yourself
Mixed questions from all 5 topics — check how much you've learned
Take the test →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the present perfect used for?
The present perfect (have/has + past participle) connects the past to the present. It is used for past experiences ('I've been to Japan'), present results of past actions ('I've lost my keys' — they're still lost), and situations that started in the past and continue now ('I've lived here for ten years').
What's the difference between present perfect and past simple?
Use past simple when the time is finished or specified: 'I saw the film yesterday.' Use present perfect when the time is not finished or not mentioned: 'I've seen the film.' Time markers help: yesterday/last week/in 2020 go with past simple; just/already/yet/ever/never/this week/today/so far go with present perfect.
When do you use present perfect continuous vs simple?
Present perfect continuous (have/has been + -ing) focuses on duration: 'I've been waiting for an hour.' Present perfect simple focuses on the result or a number/amount: 'I've finished three chapters.' With state verbs (know, like, want), only use the simple form: 'I've known her for years', not 'have been knowing'.