The Present Perfect Tense

How To Proceed
1. Introduce the Present Perfect – Regular verbs

First, give examples in past simple:
- Yesterday, I had a busy day.
- I received lots of emails.
Lead in to present perfect:
- I have received only a few today.
Show students how the present perfect is formed: have/has + past
participle. Past participle of regular verbs ends in –ed, just as in simple past.

2. Contrast finished and unfinished time

One of the best ways to ensure that students understand when the present
perfect is used is to contrast finished and unfinished time.

Ask students:
- Is yesterday finished? (They should say it is finished.)
- Ask them: Is today finished? (They should say it isn’t.)

1. On the board, draw two columns.
2. On the left column write examples of phrases that go with finished time:
- yesterday,
- last week,
- last month,
- last year,
- 1990,
- etc...
3. On the right column, write those that go with unfinished time:
- today,
- this week,
- this month,
- this year,
- etc…

Make sure they notice the differences, then, give examples (only with regular
verbs) with both tenses:
- Last month, I visited my grandmother twice.
- This month, I have only visited her once.
(But this month is not finished so I may visit her again before the month is
over.)
Ask the pupils which one is present perfect!
Provide as many examples as necessary.

3. Introduce the Present Perfect – Irregular verbs

Proceed with the irregulars.
1. Divide the board into three columns
2. Write some irregular verbs in the first column,
3. their simple past form in the second column,