i (finish) my homework since yesterday

What is Present Perfect Tense: How to Use It

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Olivia Drake

The present perfect tense is a fascinating aspect of grammar that often leaves learners perplexed. This versatile verb tense serves to bridge the gap between the past and the present, highlighting a connection that may not be immediately apparent. In this article, you will explore the intricacies of the present perfect tense, its primary uses, and some helpful examples to enhance your understanding.

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Present Perfect: Definition and Usage

The  present perfect  is an essential aspect of English grammar that deals with verb tense. You can use the present perfect to describe actions or events that have occurred at an unspecified time in the past.

In the English language, the present perfect is a tense that highlights the present consequences of past actions. This powerful tense helps you demonstrate how your previous experiences or actions play a role in your current situation. The key to using present perfect  is to focus on the present consequences of past events. You use ‘has’ or ‘have’ with a past participle to build the present perfect structure. For example:

• You  have studied  three foreign languages.
• She  has traveled  to five continents.

In these sentences,  the emphasis is on what you and she have achieved  as a result of past actions. These achievements are relevant to your present situation.

When you want to express  an ongoing activity that began in the past  and still happening in the present, use the present perfect to convey this connection:

• They  have lived  in this city for ten years.
• I  have been  a teacher since 2015.

In these cases, the present perfect shows that these events have  ongoing relevance to the present .

It’s important to note that present perfect is used when  the exact time of the past action is not specified.  If you mention a specific time, use simple past instead:

• You have met the CEO before. (No specific time mentioned)
• You met the CEO last week. (Specific time mentioned)

Keep in mind that there’s a clear difference between  present perfect  and  simple past , so choose the appropriate tense carefully:

• Present Perfect : You have finished your assignment. (The action is completed, but the highlight is on a result that is relevant to the present situation)
• Simple past : You finished your assignment. (The action happened in the past, focusing on the time when it was finished)

Forming Present Perfect

Auxiliary verbs.

In forming the present perfect tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb “have” or “has” with the past participle of the main verb. The choice between “have” and “has” depends on the subject of the sentence. Use “have” with plural subjects, “I,” and “you,” while use “has” with singular subjects, “he,” “she,” and “it.”

• I  have eaten  breakfast.
• You  have finished  your work.
• She  has left  the building.

You can also use contractions for a more informal tone. The contractions are formed by combining the auxiliary verb with the subject:

• I’ve (I have)
• You’ve (You have)
• He’s (He has)
• She’s (She has)

Past Participles

The past participle is the third form of the verb, and it’s used with the auxiliary verb to create the present perfect tense. There are two types of verbs to consider when forming past participles: regular and irregular.

Regular verbs : To form the past participle of regular verbs, add “-ed” to the base form of the verb. Here are some examples:

Irregular verbs : Irregular verbs have unique past participle forms that you need to memorize. Here are some examples:

Remember to use the auxiliary verb with the past participle when forming the present perfect tense. For example:

• You  have worked  hard.
• He  has gone  to the store.
• They  have sung  a beautiful song.

By combining the correct auxiliary verb and past participle, you can successfully form the present perfect tense in your sentences.

Read how to form  Present Perfect Negative Sentences  with Examples  ->

Questions in Present Perfect

To form questions in the present perfect, use “have” or “has” followed by the subject and the past participle of the main verb. For example:

• Have  you  been  to Italy?
• Has  she  finished  her coursework?

Remember to use the contractions “haven’t” and “hasn’t” when asking about negative actions or situations:

• Haven’t  you  eaten  yet?
• Hasn’t  he  seen  the movie yet?

In the context of questions, the words “ever” and “yet” are often used with the present perfect:

• Have  you  ever  traveled abroad?
• Has  he met her  yet ?

Click here to read more about forming questions in present perfect

Adverbs and Present Perfect

In the Present Perfect tense, you often use adverbs to enhance the meaning of your sentence. These adverbs can provide information about how an action has occurred, its frequency, duration, or the state of the subject.

Just : When you want to express that something has happened very recently or a short time ago, use “just” in conjunction with the present perfect.

For example , “I’ve just finished my homework.”

For : Use “for” to specify the duration of an action, linking the time spent to the subject and verb.

For example:  “She has lived here for 3 years.”

Since : “Since” indicates the starting point of an action or event, giving reference to a specific point in time.

For example:  “We have been friends since elementary school.”

Recently : “Recently” means something has occurred in the not-so-distant past. Use it to convey that a completed action is still somewhat fresh.

For example:  “He has recently changed jobs.”

How long : To ask about the duration of an ongoing action, use the question form “how long”. This often goes with “have” or “has.”

For example:  “How long have you been studying English?”

Still:  This is an adverb that indicates that an action or process that began in the past is continuing at the present time. In the present perfect tense, you can use “still” to emphasize that an ongoing or incomplete action has not yet finished.

For example: “You still haven’t finished your homework.”

Comparing Present Perfect with Other Tenses

Present perfect vs past simple.

When comparing the  Present Perfect  tense with the  Past Simple  tense, it’s essential to understand their distinct functions. The Present Perfect describes an action that happened at an unspecified time before now or an action that started in the past and continues to the present. In contrast, the Past Simple portrays an event that occurred at a specific time in the past.

For example:

• Present Perfect: You  have visited  Paris. (It happened at an unspecified time before now)
• Past Simple: You  visited  Paris last year. (It happened at a specific time in the past)

Click here to read more about difference between present perfect and past simple

Present Perfect vs Present Tense

The  Present Perfect  tense differs from the  Present Tense  in that it connects the past and present. The Present Perfect discourse an action that occurred in the past and has implications in the present, while the Present Tense focuses exclusively on actions happening now.

For instance:

• Present Perfect: You  have learned  English. (The learning process happened in the past and has an impact on your current abilities)
• Present Tense: You  learn  English. (Refers only to the action happening now)

Present Perfect vs Future

The key difference between  Present Perfect  and  Future  tenses is their time frames. Present Perfect concerns actions completed before now or actions initiated in the past and persisting into the present, while Future tense refers to actions or events projected to happen later.

As an illustration:

• Present Perfect: You  have finished  your work. (It’s a completed action before now)
• Future: You  will finish  your work by tomorrow. (The action is expected to happen in the future)

Present Perfect vs Present Perfect Continuous

The Present Perfect Continuous tense , on the other hand, focuses on the duration or experience of actions that began in the past and continue up until now. This tense emphasizes the ongoing nature of an action, and it’s particularly useful for cases where the action is still in progress or has been happening intermittently. For example:

• You  have been working  on this project since last month.
• They  have been playing  tennis every weekend this summer.

With action verbs, using  Present Perfect Continuous  highlights the ongoing process:

• You  have been learning  Italian for two years.

Present Perfect in Passive Voice

When using the present perfect in  passive voice , you focus on the action, not who performed it. The structure is simple: has/have + been + past participle.

For example, instead of saying “She has finished the project,” you would say, “ The project has been finished .” In this case, the emphasis is on the completion of the project.

Here are some examples of how to convert active to passive voice in present perfect:

When to Use Present Perfect Passive

1.  When the doer of the action is unknown or unimportant : If you don’t know who completed the action, or it simply doesn’t matter, use passive voice.

• The cake  has been eaten . (It doesn’t matter who ate it)

2.  When emphasizing the result : If you want to focus on the outcome rather than who did it, use the passive voice.

• The grass  has been mowed . (It emphasizes that the lawn now looks nice)

Remember, the present perfect passive is used to describe:

• A  past event  that has a connection to the present.
• An action that is ongoing or just finished.

Try to use the present perfect in passive voice confidently and with a clear understanding of its purpose. It helps provide a more neutral tone and emphasizes the action rather than the person or people doing it.

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Past Simple or Present Perfect - English Quiz

Do you know when to use the past simple instead of the present perfect?

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Use the present perfect with "for" when speaking about an amount of time that has passed.

Use the past simple to express sequences of actions in the past.

• did you finish
• are you finishing
• have you finished

Use the present perfect with "already," "just," and "yet" to speak about recent actions.

• have never been
• will never be

Use the present perfect to speak about life experience.

• has played - was
• played - was
• has played - has been

Use the simple past with a past time clause with "when".

• have finished
• didn't finish

Use the present perfect to express something that you have recently done that affects the moment of speaking.

• work - began
• have worked - have begun
• have worked - began

Use the present perfect for the amount of time up to the moment of speaking that you've done an action. Use the past simple to express the starting point in time.

• didn't eat already
• have already eaten
• haven't already eaten

Use the present perfect with "already," "just," and "yet" to speak about recent actions .

• has learned - has played
• learned - has played
• learned - played

Always use the present perfect or present perfect continuous with "since" and something that began in the past.

• have bought

Use the present perfect to speak about recent actions that affect the present moment.

• moved - has lived
• moved - lived
• has moved - lived

Use the past simple to express a sequence of actions in the past.

• went - has been
• has gone - was

Always use past simple when stating "when" something happened. Use the present perfect to express completed actions up to the moment of speaking.

• haven't thought
• didn't think
• don't think

Use the present perfect with "already," "just," and "yet" to speak about recent actions. Use "yet" in the negative and question , but "already" and "just" in the positive form.

• has believed
• was believed

Use the present perfect with "for" to express an amount of time. In this case, "ages" means for a very long time.

• have you lived
• did you live
• do you live

Use the present perfect with questions with "how long" to express duration up to the present moment in time .

• has written
• have just had
• just have had

Use the present perfect with "already," "just," and "yet" to speak about recent actions. Use "yet" in the negative and question, but "already" and "just" in the positive form.

• has recorded

Use the present perfect to speak about the experiences of people who are still alive.

Use the past simple to speak about experiences of people who are not alive now.

You've got a great understanding of the differences between the past simple and present perfect tense in English. Congratulations and keep up the good work!

You understand many of the differences between the present perfect and the past simple, but you still need to brush up on some of the rules. Good work!

You'll need to review the past simple and present perfect carefully. Remember that the present perfect always has some sort of connection with the present, whereas the past simple happens at a specific time in the past. 

• How to Teach the Present Perfect
• Lesson Plan on Switching Between Present Perfect and Past Simple
• ESL Present Perfect Worksheets
• A VIP - Present Perfect Simple and Continuous
• How to Teach the Past Simple to ESL Students
• Practice in Using the Present Perfect in English Grammar
• Grammatical Aspect of Present Perfect
• Perfect forms: Simple or Progressive
• Guide to Past Simple and Past Continuous
• Essential Basic English Lessons
• How to Teach Present Perfect Continuous to English Learners
• German Verbs: The Present Perfect Tense
• The Right Way to Use 'Already' and 'Yet' in English
• Present Perfect Progressive
• Past and Present Participles
• Conjugating the Verb 'To Be'

Simple Past or Present Perfect Simple

Put the verbs into the correct tense (simple past or present perfect simple).

• I (just / finish) my homework.
• Mary (already / write) five letters.
• Tom (move) to this town in 1994.
• My friend (be) in Canada two years ago.
• I (not / be) to Canada so far.
• But I (already / travel) to London a couple of times.
• Last week, Mary and Paul (go) to the cinema.
• I can't take any pictures because I (not / buy) a new film yet.
• (they / spend) their holiday in New Zealand last summer?
• (you / ever / see) a whale?

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Using the Present Perfect Tense

Are you wondering when to use the present perfect tense? Or I should say, "have you learned" when to use the present perfect? We use this tense to talk about an action that started in the past and   has a connection to the present.

[Note: Click here to learn  how to form   the present perfect.]

Use #1:   Describe past situations / things that have a strong connection to the present

We use the present perfect simple to describe an action  or state that started at an unknown or unspecified time in the past  AND has a connection to the present .

Learners are sometimes confused by this. They ask, if this tense is called the "present" perfect, why are we talking about "past" actions? Excellent question.

With this tense we're talking about the past   and the present . These actions or situations may have started and ended in the past but we are focusing on the effect of this action now in the present moment. Let's look at some examples to try to make this clearer:

• Your poor grades have become a problem. (The result now is that there is a problem.)
• Have you seen Selma? (Where is she now?)
• She 's gone to school. (She left home and is at school now.)
• Take off your shoes. I have just cleaned the floor. (A short while ago I mopped the dirty floor and it is clean now.)
• I can't find my keys. Have you seen them? (I lost my keys and can't find them now.)
• Have you done your homework? (Is your homework finished now?)
• I started but I haven't finished my homework yet. (My homework is not finished now.)
• I've been sick all day. (I'm still sick now.)

In each of these examples we are focusing on the result now or why the action is important at this present time.

Use #2: Describe past actions or conditions that continue in the present

It's usually easier for learners to understand the second use which is for actions that started in the past and are still continuing in the present moment.

The tense helps to answer " how long ago " something has been happening (in relation to now) or for how long a period of time  something has been happening. 

FOR / SINCE

We often use the words " since " (after a specific time) or " for " (a period of time) with this usage.

• We have lived here for  25 years.(We came here 25 years ago and still live here.) 
• My parents have been married since   1967. (They're still married.)
• We 've waited 20 minutes already for the bus. (We are still waiting.)
• My daughter has been sick for a week.
• I haven’t slept for two days.
• We haven’t seen each other since high school.
• I haven’t had a drink since the accident.
• He hasn’t dated anyone since his wife left him.
• I haven’t smoked a cigarette for three months now.

Note : we cannot use the present perfect tense with a completed time word. For example:

• Wrong:   We have seen the movie last night.  (Correct: we saw the movie last night.)
• Wrong :  Yesterday, I had worked very late. (Correct: Yesterday, I worked very late.)

With finished time words we use the present simple.

Use #3:  To ask about whether we ever   had past experiences

We frequently use the present perfect tense to ask or talk about whether someone has  experienced something during their life (at any time in the past until this moment).

EVER / NEVER / BEFORE

Often, we use the words " ever " (in questions) and " never ".  We will sometimes also add the word " before ."

• Have you ever   eaten fried insects?
• No, I haven't   tried fried insects and never will.
• Has  Jimmy ever   been this sick before?
• Have you taken private English lessons?
• I ' ve never travelled by train before.
• Have the children  ever   done something like this before?
• Never   in my life have I been so much in love.

Adverbs that are frequently used with the present perfect tense:  Already / yet / just / still

The following words (adverbials) are often used with the present perfect tense:

Just describes something that happened a short time before this moment.

• I 've just   received your email and will read it now.
• He 's just   arrived , I hear the car pulling to the garage.
• I'm so excited. Lady Gaga has just   released her latest album.

Just about means that something that was started is almost finished .

• I 've just about   finished this novel.
• Have you finished the report yet? Just about .
• I 've just about   used up all the milk.

Already has two main meanings:

1. Already = before this time (before now)

• Where's that letter? I 've already   mailed it.
• Can I help you clean? I 've already   swept to the floor but you can vacuum the carpet.
• We 've already   eaten at that restaurant so let's go somewhere else.

2. Already = so soon (something happened quickly or earlier than expected)

• We need to take the trash out. I 've already   taken it out.
• Has my boyfriend arrived already? I'm still getting dressed.
• You don't have to ask. Your mother has already   ironed your shirt.

Yet = at this time , until this time , as soon as this time

Note :  Yet usually comes at the end of the sentence. We use yet with negative statements and questions.

• Have my parents arrived yet?   (They are expected to arrive soon.)
• Have you finished the report yet?   (It should be done or finished soon.)
• He hasn't called yet.   (Until this time he hasn't called but he should call soon.)
• It's 3 o'clock and I haven't had lunch yet .

We use still in negative sentences with the present perfect to emphasize an action or situation happening or existing before now and continuing into the present:

• I can't believe you still   haven't written your paper.
• He said he sent an email an hour ago but I still  haven't received it.
• We still   haven't decided what to eat for lunch. 

If you need to review how to form   the present perfect tense please check this page. I go over the positive and negative forms, questions, review the irregular past participles and spelling changes and give lots of examples.

• Main Grammar Page
• Using the Present Perfect

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Present Perfect

For recently finished actions.

Table of Contents

In this grammar section we will have a look at the tense Present Perfect to talk about recently finished/completed actions.

A: How long have you worked there? B: I have worked there for 3 years.

A: How long have you been friends? B: We haven’t been friends for long. We have been friends since 2022

The video gives an overview of to Present Perfect for something recently completed/finished actions.

It shows the meaning/usage: when and why to use the Present Perfect.

For the form and the pronunciation have a look a the different webpages:

• Present perfect form
• Present perfect pronunciation

Usage/ Meaning

How and when do we use the Present Perfect?

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something recently finished.

I have just done my homework: This means not so long ago you finished your homework . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it, but it wasn’t so long ago . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

I have already done my homework: This means you finished your homework somewhere before now . It is an unspecified time in the past . We don’t know when the person did it . It is usually used to stress that you finished the action and there it no need to do it anymore or no need to worry about it anymore .

Present Perfect is also used to talk about something that is not finished.

I haven’t done my homework yet : This means you did not finished your homework somewhere before now but that you will do it later . It is usually used to stress that you did not finished the action but you will do it somewhere soon in the future.

• Just: recently finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have just finished . 
• Already: finished actions. positive and questions. Between have and the main verb : I have already finished .
• Yet: not finished, but will finish it later. Negative and questions. At the end of the sentence: I haven’t finished yet .

Have a look at the questions and write your answers in the comments below . Also give us some more details about when, where, why,….

• What have you already done today?
• What haven’t you done yet today, but must still do today?
• What have you just finished before answering these questions?
• Have you just had some food?
• Have you already finished your homework?
• Have you already studied today?
• Have you just had a phone call?
• Have you already had lunch today?
• Which movie have you already seen more than 2 times?
• Which goals in your life have you already achieved?

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Present perfect continuous ( I have been working )

Present perfect continuous: form.

We use have/has + been + the - ing form of the verb.

Present perfect continuous: uses

Recent past activities.

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about a finished activity in the recent past. Using the present perfect continuous focuses on the activity.

We don’t give a specific time. Even though the activity is finished, we can see the result in the present:

I ’ve just been cleaning the car. (The car is wet and clean.)

It ’s been snowing . (The ground is covered in snow.)

What have you been buying ?

One continuing event

We use the present perfect continuous for a single activity that began at a point in the past and is still continuing:

I ’ve been reading your book – it’s great. (I’m still reading it.)

He ’s been living in the village since 1995. (He is still living in the village.)

She has been writing her autobiography since 1987.

Repeated continuing events

We use the present perfect continuous to talk about repeated activities which started at a particular time in the past and are still continuing up until now:

I ’ve been going to Spain on holiday every year since 1987.

I haven’t been eating much lunch lately. I ’ve been going to the gym at lunchtimes.

She ’s been playing tennis on and off for three years.

How long …?

We often use the present perfect continuous to ask and answer questions about the duration of an activity. We use the question How long …+ present perfect continuous:

A: How long have you been waiting for me? B: About ten minutes. Not too long . ( I’ve been waiting for about ten minutes .)

Word of the Day

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injury to someone caused by severe cold, usually to their toes, fingers, ears, or nose, that causes permanent loss of tissue

Keeping up appearances (Talking about how things seem)

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Can We Use Yesterday With the Present Perfect Tense?

By: Author Susan Parker

Posted on Published: November 17, 2021

English tenses can be very confusing, but they’re very important because getting them wrong can result in misunderstanding. Verb tenses tell you when something happens, which is simple when we’re just referring to past, present, and future. However, when we’re linking the past with the present by using present perfect, then we may wonder if we can use “yesterday.”

We cannot use “yesterday” on its own with the present perfect tense because adverbs that refer to a completed time in the past only work with past tenses. However, you can use “since yesterday” in the present perfect tense because that expresses a time period that started yesterday and is still continuing. 

This article will explore the present perfect tense and how we should use it. We’ll examine the difference between “yesterday” and “since yesterday” and why we treat them differently. We’ll also consider what tenses we can use with “yesterday” and why.

What Is the Present Perfect?

English has three basic tenses — past, present, and future — and then those three have the perfect, continuous, and perfect continuous forms. Let’s consider the verb “to eat” in each of these tenses to illustrate the point.

We use the perfect tenses to describe an action that has been absolutely completed or perfected. This is called the “perfect aspect” ( source ). To create the present perfect, we add “has” or “have” to the past participle of the verb.

English speakers use the present perfect tense often, and it has three main uses, as we’ve illustrated in the table below ( source ).

Actions that started in the past and are continuing:

• She has lived in Australia for 10 years.
• Jack has worked in advertising since 2004.

Actions that happened at an unspecified time in the past:

• They have visited the museum many times.
• Maggie has already finished that book.

Actions that happened in the past but have an effect on the present:

• How will we get there? Andrew has lost his car keys.
• Jane can’t walk. She has broken her ankle.

What About “Yesterday”? 

We can use “yesterday” as an adverb or a noun to describe the day before today, or, in some contexts, it can mean just a short time ago ( source ). Consider the sentences below that illustrate these definitions.

• I had a ballet exam yesterday. (adverb, day before today)
• I went to that restaurant yesterday. (adverb, day before today)
• I wasn’t born yesterday. (adverb, a short time ago)
• It feels like yesterday that you were at school. (adverb, a short time ago)
• Yesterday was Tuesday. (noun, day before today)
• I’m not interested in yesterday’s news. (noun, a short time ago)

You will notice that whether we are referring specifically to the day before today or, more generally, to a time period in the past, the concept of “yesterday” is a completed period that has already happened.

Which Tense Is Used With “Yesterday”?

Since “yesterday” refers to a time period that is past, it would be logical to assume that we must use it in the past tense. Using our original verb “to eat,” let’s consider which verbs we can use with “yesterday.” 

Is “Yesterday” Past Simple or Present Perfect?

As you will have noticed, we can use all four past tenses with “yesterday” but none of the present or future tenses. This is because “yesterday” is an expression of time that occurs entirely in the past and doesn’t include the present.

We can always use past simple — or any other past tense — with “yesterday” because it refers to the day before today, which is very clearly something that occurred in the past. Other expressions of time that only work in the past include:

• Last week 
• An hour ago
• A long time ago

All of these can function in the past tenses but cannot work in any other tenses. We sometimes see someone use them incorrectly in the present perfect tense, and we need to recognize the error. Consider the following sentences, which show the incorrect use of “yesterday” in the present perfect tense.

• I have done my homework yesterday.  
• Yesterday, Jane has invited me to the dance.
• They have finished the job yesterday.

None of these sentences make sense, and we need to rewrite them in the past simple:

• I did my homework yesterday.  
• Yesterday, Jane invited me to the dance.
• They finished the job yesterday.

With more context, we could also rewrite them in the other past tenses:

For more on this topic, read “ Can We Use “Yesterday” W ith Past Perfect? ”

More on Perfect Tenses

We use the various tenses to express when something happened, and we use aspect to determine whether we are simply expressing a fact or whether the action is completed or ongoing. 

The simple tenses are by definition simple — they just express a fact:

• Jack drinks a soda.
• Jack drank a soda.
• Jack will drink a soda.

However, we use the perfect tenses to illustrate various connections in time. As we’ve already mentioned, the present perfect and present perfect continuous connect the past with the present. 

Past perfect and past perfect continuous connect two different times in the past. Meanwhile, the future perfect and future perfect continuous connect an action with the future.

The perfect tenses focus on the completed action, while the perfect continuous tenses focus on that action continuing.

We use the present perfect tenses most often. Usually, we use them to talk about something we have done in the past that is still relevant today. When you’re introducing yourself or telling someone about your past, you will use these tenses extensively.

We don’t use the past perfect tenses quite as often, but they are still very useful. You will use this tense when telling stories because it helps to differentiate between various times in the past. We can use it to connect two past actions or to connect a past action with a past time. This is why we use this tense with “yesterday.”

We use the future perfect tenses least often, but they’re still useful when talking about plans or goals. You may use this tense to talk about what will have to be completed before a specific future time.

Can We Use “Since Yesterday”?

Since yesterday is an acceptable phrase. If we add “since” to create the phrase “since yesterday,” we are dealing with a different time expression. “Since” means from a time in the past until now, so “since yesterday” means from the day before today until now ( source ).

In this case, “since yesterday” doesn’t only occur in the past. It links the present with the past, so we can use it in the present perfect tense. Consider the sentences below.

• I’ve been studying since yesterday.
• I haven’t seen her since yesterday afternoon.
• Mr. Smith has been painting his house non-stop since yesterday.

Exploring “Since”

We use “since” to express time, and it can work as an adverb, preposition, or conjunction, depending on how we position it in a sentence. 

As a preposition, we follow “since” with a noun:

• I haven’t been this fit since 2004.

As an adverb, we do not follow “since” with a noun:

• Jack left last October and hasn’t been home since.

As a conjunction, it connects two clauses:

• Jill has had many boyfriends since her relationship ended.

As an expression of time, “since” means either:

From a time in the past up until the present

From a time in the past until another time in the past.

In the first instance, when constructing a sentence using “since,” we will always use the present perfect tense in the main clause. However, after “since,” we can either use present perfect to describe the time from the past up until the present or simple past tense to describe the time from the past up until another point in the past.

Consider the examples below that illustrate these two possibilities.

Using present perfect after “since” to describe the time from the past up until the present:

• Jack has improved his times since he has started training daily. 
• I have been feeling better since I’ve been taking the correct medication.

Using simple past after “since” to describe the time from the past up until another point in the past:

• Jack has improved his times since he started training daily. 
• I have been feeling significantly better since I began taking the correct medication.

In the second instance, we most often use past perfect tense in the main clause and past simple after “since.” Consider the examples below:

Sally’s death was devastating. I had been friends with her since we started school in 1980.

I didn’t know you had been working on that since we opened the business last year.

Sometimes, we use past perfect tense in the main clause and again after “since,” as we’ve shown below.

• It had been more than a decade since I had asked anyone on a date.

It’s important to remember that “since” is an expression of time in the past. Therefore, we can never use it to describe present or future time.

What About “Ever Since”?

We use “ever since” in two ways, as we’ve illustrated below. This article was written for strategiesforparents.com.

To talk about something that happened regularly from a time in the past up until now:

• She saw her first ballet at six and has wanted to be a dancer ever since .
• Bob first went to London in 1982 and has been visiting annually ever since . 

To talk about something that happened continually from a specific time in the past:

• She has wanted to be a dancer ever since she was a young girl. 
• Bob has been visiting London annually ever since his first visit in 1982.

Final Thoughts

English tenses can trip you up, especially if you overthink them. When saying “yesterday,” it’s useful to remember that because it refers to the day before today, we can only use it to talk about an action that has occurred in the past.

Thus, you would always use one of the past tenses — past simple, past continuous, past perfect, or past perfect continuous — with “yesterday.” 

The present perfect tense has to have a link to the present and, therefore, cannot work together with “yesterday.” However, a word like “since” can work to create the link to the present, so we can use “since yesterday” with the present perfect tense.

Past Simple in English

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The past simple is a crucial part of the English language and is one of the toughest tenses to learn for beginners. In this reference, we’ll explain what the past simple is and how you can easily master it and improve your skills!

What is the Past Simple Tense?

The past simple, also known as the simple past tense, helps us talk about actions that happened in the past. It’s often used with adverbs and adverbial phrases (yesterday, last week, three years ago, etc.). The past simple helps you talk about completed actions that took place at a specific time in the past.

The past simple is formed by using the base form of the verb and adding -ed to the end (for regular verbs ). Irregular verbs, however, need to be memorized. Let’s take a look at how the past simple is formed and how to use it.

Past Simple Formula:

Subject + verb (base form) + -ed (for regular verbs) / did / have / was.

  How to Form the Past Simple

The past simple is formed by using the base form of the verb and adding -ed to the end (for regular verbs). For example, the verb “walk” becomes “walked” in the past simple tense.

It’s also used with the auxiliary verbs “did” and “have.” For example, “I did my homework” and “I have done my homework” are both in the past simple tense.

The past simple can also be used with the verb “be.” For example, “I was at the park yesterday” is in the past simple tense.

Common Irregular Verbs in the Past Simple

There are different irregular verbs in the past simple tense. The most common ones are go/went, do/did, have/had, and be/was. These verbs need to be memorized, as they do not follow the regular pattern of adding -ed to the end of the verb.

It’s important to note that some verbs can be both regular and irregular depending on the context. For example, the verb “read” can be regular or irregular depending on the sentence. “I read a book” is regular, but “I read the book” is irregular.

Past Simple vs. Past Participle

The past simple is often confused with the past participle. The past participle also helps us talk about completed actions in the past, but it is not used with adverbs or adverbial phrases . For example, “I have finished my homework” is in the past participle, but “I finished my homework yesterday” is in the past simple.

Examples of Past Simple Sentences

Here are some examples of sentences in the past simple:

• I went to the store yesterday.
• She did her homework last night.
• We had dinner at a restaurant last week.
• He was at the park yesterday.
• They read a book last month.

Uses of the Past Simple

The past simple helps us talk about completed actions that took place at a specific time in the past. It is also used to talk about habitual actions in the past, such as “I used to go to the park every weekend.” The past simple is also used to talk about past facts and past states. For example, “I knew her since we were kids” and “I lived in Hong Kong for 5 years”.

Past Simple in Complex Sentences

The past simple can also be used in complex sentences. For example, “She said she had done her homework, but I didn’t believe her.” This sentence has two clauses, both of which are in the past simple tense.

Here are 5 more complex sentences for you to learn from:

• He told me he was at the park yesterday.
• I asked if she had done her homework.
• We wondered if they had read the book.
• She asked if he had gone to the store.
• They asked if we had had dinner at a restaurant.

Past simple can be hard to start, but once you understand the formula, it all falls into place. Remember that it's just your subject + verb + -ed (for regular verbs) / did / have / was.

So, there you have it! Now you know all about the past simple in English. With enough practice, you’ll be able to master the past simple and use it like a native speaker. Good luck!

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Jack _____ (live) in Boston for the past 15 years.

Janet ____ (work) for Smith and Brothers before she came to work for us.

Dad, ____ (you/finish) reading the paper yet?

did you finish

are you finishing

have you finished

I would love to visit Prague sometime. Unfortunately, I ____ (be/never) there.

have never been

will never be

Peter _____ (play) Tennis for five years when he _____ (be) at school.

has played - was

played - was

has played - has been

Can you help me? I _____ (finish) my homework, but I still don't understand number seven.

have finished

didn't finish

I _____ (work) in Italy for five years. I ____ (begin) work as soon as I arrived.

work - began

have worked - have begun

have worked - began

I'm afraid I'm not hungry. I _____ (eat/already).

didn't eat already

have already eaten

haven't already eaten

When Jack was at school, he _____ (learn) to play the saxophone. He _____ (play) it ever since.

has learned - has played

learned - has played

learned - played

Could you give me some advice? I _____ (buy) this sweater at Macy's yesterday. Do you think I should take it back?

have bought

Maria lives in Boston. Before she _____ (move) here, she ____ (live) in Seattle for three years.

moved - has lived

moved - lived

has moved - lived

Peter ____ (go) to Paris last year. That means that he ____ (be) to Paris three times!

went - has been

has gone - was

Just a moment! I _____ (not think) of a good idea yet!

haven't thought

didn't think

don't think

Maria _____ (believe) that for ages!

has believed

was believed

How long _____ (you/live) there before coming here?

have you lived

did you live

do you live

She _____ (write) the email but doesn't know how to send it.

has written

I ____ (just/have) something done to my hair. Do you like it?

have just had

just have had

Hurry up! The concert _____ (begin) and we are late.

Madonna _____ (record) many albums and will probably make many more.

has recorded

Nat King Cole _____ (record) many albums during his wonderful career.

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I have done my homework yesterday.

• Thread starter I am a Chinese boy
• Start date May 30, 2018

I am a Chinese boy

• May 30, 2018

Hi all, I was told not to say "I have done my homework yesterday", because yesterday is considered a time point instead of a time period . Grammar books say, perfect tense can only be used with time period such as since and for. So, maybe, I can only say, I did my homework yesterday. Is that 100% right? no exception to use perfect tense with accurate time point? Thanks to all  

Senior Member

Hi. I can't think of any exceptions to what the grammar books told you. If you use something like "yesterday", the present perfect isn't the tense you want. If you want to use an adverb like "now" to mark the present moment, then the present perfect sounds normal to me: Now I've seen everything.  

owlman5 said: Hi. I can't think of any exceptions to what the grammar books told you. If you use something like "yesterday", the present perfect isn't the tense you want. If you want to use an adverb like "now" to mark the present moment, then the present perfect sounds normal to me: Now I've seen everything. Click to expand...

Moderato con anima (English Only)

It is possible to consider yesterday a time period, but because it is a time period in the past, you need to say 'I had done my homework yesterday'. (And 'I did my homework yesterday' is also possible. There is a difference in meaning between those sentences.)  

natkretep said: It is possible to consider yesterday a time period, but because it is a time period in the past, you need to say 'I had done my homework yesterday'. (And 'I did my homework yesterday' is also possible. There is a difference in meaning between those sentences.) Click to expand...

Yes, that's right, Chinese boy.  

Past Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

The past perfect tense is a grammatical form used to describe actions that were completed before a specific point in the past. It is formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle of the main verb.

• She had finished the work.
• They had visited the museum last summer.
• They had not seen the movie.
• He had never been to Paris before this vacation.
• Had you studied for the test before it was announced?
• Had the mail arrived before you left the house?

Table of Contents

Forming the Past Perfect Tense

Affirmative Sentences

Affirmative sentences in past perfect tense are statements that express an action that was completed before a specific point in the past. They are structured using the following formula.

Subject + had +verb(3rd form) + object.

• She had already finished her breakfast.
• They had watched the movie before bedtime.
• He had visited the new museum in town.
• The children had played in the park all afternoon.
• By the time I arrived, they had already eaten dinner.
• She realized she had forgotten her keys at home.
• We had never been to this restaurant before.
• The teacher had explained the lesson before the test.
• He told me he had already seen the new movie.
• The sun had set by the time we reached the beach.

The sentences given above are broken down according to their grammatical structure.

Negative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in past perfect tense are questions that inquire about actions or events that occurred before a specific point in the past. They are formed by using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the subject and the past participle of the main verb.

Subject + had + not + verb(3rd form) + object.

• She hadn’t finished her chores before dinner.
• They hadn’t visited the park in months.
• He hadn’t heard that song until yesterday.
• The team hadn’t practiced enough before the match.
• We hadn’t met our new neighbors until last week.
• The store hadn’t restocked the shelves by noon.
• He hadn’t tried sushi before last night.
• She hadn’t watched that TV series until now.
• They hadn’t seen that movie before last night.
• He hadn’t spoken to his cousin in years.

Interrogative Sentences

Interrogative sentences in past perfect tense are questions about actions or events that happened before a specific point in the past. They start with “Had” followed by the subject and the past participle of the main verb.

Had + subject + verb(3rd form) + object?

• Had she eaten breakfast before leaving for work?
• Had they visited the museum before the trip?
• Had he finished his chores before going out to play?
• Had you heard the news before we told you?
• Had they cleaned the house before the party?
• Had she read the book before watching the movie?
• Had we met our new neighbors before the event?
• Had he seen that movie before last night?
• Had they played any games before the picnic?
• Had she finished her work by the time you called?

Usages of the Past Perfect Tense

Describing Completed Actions Before Another Past Action

Describing Completed Actions Before Another Past Action” is one of the key uses of the past perfect tense. It helps establish a clear sequence of events in the past.

• By the time we arrived, they had already finished their meal .
• She had completed the project before the deadline.
• The train had left the station before we reached it.
• They hadn’t started the meeting before the boss arrived.
• The bakery hadn’t sold out of croissants when we got there.
• She hadn’t visited that museum before last summer.
• Had you finished your homework before the teacher collected it?
• Had they seen that movie before it won an award?
• Had she ever traveled to Europe before this trip?

Narrating Past Events in a Sequence

“Narrating Past Events in a Sequence” is another important use of the past perfect tense. It helps in presenting a series of past events in the order in which they occurred.

• She had breakfast , then went for a walk , and finally read a book .
• They had a picnic , then played games , and afterwards shared stories .
• She didn’t have time to finish her drawing , so she left it for tomorrow .
• They didn’t find any ripe apples , so they postponed making the pie .
• Had she already finished her snack before going for a walk?
• Had they played any games before having the picnic?

Expressing Regrets or Hypothetical Scenarios in the Past

Expressing regrets or hypothetical scenarios in the past involves using the past perfect tense to discuss situations that didn’t happen, or to express a sense of regret or longing for different outcomes in the past.

• If I had known you were coming, I would have baked a cake.
• She wishes she had taken that job offer last year.
• He believes he would have won the race if he had trained harder.
• If she had arrived earlier, she wouldn’t have missed the train.
• He wishes he hadn’t sold his antique collection.

Reporting Past Actions or Speech

Reporting past actions or speech” involves conveying what someone said or did in the past. This is typically done through indirect or reported speech, where the original statement or action is reported using a different verb tense (often the past perfect tense) to indicate that it happened in the past.

• She told me, I finished the report .
• He said, She has already left .
• They mentioned, We visited the museum .
• She told me that she hadn’t finished the report.
• He said that she had already left .
• They mentioned that they hadn’t visited the museum.
• Did she tell you she had finished the report?
• Had he mentioned that she had already left?
• Did they ask if we had visited the museum?

Past Perfect Tense Chart

Signal words for Past Perfect Tense

Signal words for Past Perfect Tense indicate that an action or event occurred before another action in the past.

• She had finished her work before the meeting started.
•  They had already eaten when I arrived.
•   By the time we got to the cinema, the movie had already begun.
•  She hadn’t seen the movie until last night.
•   After they had left, I realized I forgot my keys.
• He hadn’t heard the news before we told him.
• She had never visited that city before.
•  She didn’t taste that type of food until today.
•   No sooner had they finished the project than the deadline arrived.
• Had you finished your work before the call?
•   Hadn’t they seen the movie before last night?
• Had you ever been to this city before your trip?
• Had they finished the project by the deadline?
•   Before we arrived, had they already played the game?

Time Expressions

Time expressions are words or phrases that indicate when an action or event took place. In the context of past perfect tense, they help establish the relationship between different past actions.

• She finished her homework before dinner .
• He had known her since kindergarten .
• By morning, the rain had stopped .
• They had watched the movie twice already.
• She had read the book before bedtime .
• He hadn’t eaten breakfast yet .
• She realized she hadn’t studied in a while .
• They hadn’t seen that show since last year .
• He hadn’t visited the museum in years .
• She hadn’t traveled abroad before last summer .
• Had you finished your chores by the time I called? ( Time Expression )
• When did they first meet each other? ( Time Expression )
• By what time had they completed the project? ( Time Expression )
• Had they ever been to this city before? ( Time Expression )
• Since when had he known about this new technology? (Time Expression)

Past Perfect vs. Simple Past Tense

Differentiating Between Past Perfect and Simple Past

Here’s a table comparing Past Perfect Tense and Simple Past Tense

Past Perfect Tense Example Sentences

• The mother had cooked food before the sun rose.
• I had recited the Holy Quran before you came.
• The bell had rung when we reached the school.
• The train had gone when I reached the station.
• They had taken tea when I reached there.
• The patient had died before the doctor came.
• They had already finished their work.
• He had reached here till 2’O clock.
• The girl had already sung songs.
• The teacher had already taught us lesson.
• By then, he had finished all his work.
• They were tired because they had walked a lot.
• We were surprised because they hadn’t told us.
• The movie was over because they had watched it.
• She knew the answer because she had studied.
• They were happy because they had won the prize.
• He was full because he had eaten a big meal.
• The students were tired because they had studied.
• She had a great time because she had danced a lot.
• They were sleepy because they had stayed up late.
• He had not taken breakfast before you came.
• They had not bought tickets before the train came.
• Aslam had not heard this good news yet.
• It had not rained yet.
• I had never eaten such a delicious fruit before.
• He hadn’t visited his grandparents in a long time.
• She hadn’t tried that new restaurant yet.
• They hadn’t met their new neighbors before the party.
• By the time they arrived, the show hadn’t started yet.
• He hadn’t seen a shooting star until last night.
• She hadn’t been to the beach in years.
• We hadn’t seen each other in a long time.
• The cat hadn’t eaten its food yet.
• She hadn’t visited the museum in a while.
• They hadn’t finished the puzzle by bedtime.
• He hadn’t cooked dinner before the guests arrived.
• She hadn’t heard the news until now.
• They hadn’t bought groceries for the week.
• By the time they left, the party hadn’t even started.
• He hadn’t taken a vacation in years.
• Had you finished your work before the sun set?
• Had the police already dispersed the crowd?
• Had they already left for Lahore?
• Why had you not posted the letter before you went to school?
• Had they already reached the school?
• Had he fixed the car before the road trip?
• Had she learned to swim before the summer?
• Had they packed their bags before the vacation?
• Had we finished all the tasks before leaving?
• Had he visited his grandparents before the holidays?
• Had you met the new neighbors before the barbecue?
• Had they chosen a restaurant before the reservation?
• Had she attended any classes before the conference?
• Had we booked the tickets before they were sold out?
• Had he heard about the new job before the interview?
• Had they received the package before leaving home?
• Had she completed the assignment before the deadline?
• Had we packed our bags before the trip started?
• Had he visited that museum before it closed down?
• Had you tried that dish before today?

Avoiding Common Mistakes

Avoiding common mistakes in language use is crucial for effective communication.

Here are some tips to help you steer clear of frequent errors:

• Watch Subject-Verb Agreement : Ensure that the subject and verb in a sentence agree in number (singular or plural).
• Avoid Double Negatives : Using two negatives in a sentence can lead to confusion. For example, “I can’t hardly wait” should be “I can hardly wait.”
• Be Consistent with Verb Tenses : Stick to one tense throughout a piece of writing, unless there’s a specific reason for a shift.
• The Past Perfect Tense is a verb form that is used to describe an action that took place before another action or a specific point in the past.
• The Past Perfect Tense is formed using the auxiliary verb “had” followed by the past participle form of the main verb (e.g., had + eaten).
• Time expressions like “before,” “by the time,” “already,” “until,” and “hadn’t” are commonly used with the Past Perfect Tense.
• The Simple Past Tense describes an action that happened at a specific point in the past, while the Past Perfect Tense describes an action that occurred before another past action.
• “Hadn’t” is the contraction of “had not” and is used in negative sentences (e.g., “She hadn’t finished her work.”). “Didn’t” is the contraction of “did not” and is used in negative sentences in the Simple Past Tense (e.g., “She didn’t finish her work.”).
• Yes, the Past Perfect Tense can be used in reported speech to convey information that was said or thought in the past (e.g., “He said he had already seen the movie.”).
• Yes, adverbs like “already,” “just,” “never,” “yet,” and others can be used with the Past Perfect Tense to provide additional information about the timing of the action.

Free Grammar and Vocabulary Worksheets Resources

• Worksheet Tenses
• English Worksheets
• Action Verbs Worksheets
• Past Perfect Tense Worksheets

You May Also Like

• Present Perfect Tense With Examples
• Time Expressions in English
• Future Perfect Tense With Examples

Past Perfect Past Perfect Tense Past Perfect Tense Definition Past Perfect Tense Example Sentences Past Perfect Tense Exercise Past Perfect Tense Formula Past Perfect Tense In English Past Perfect Tense In Grammar Past Perfect Tense Rules Past Perfect Tense Structure Past Perfect Tense Usages

Present Perfect Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

Present Perfect Continuous Tense With Examples, Rules, Usage

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Which one is correct? "I finished my homework yesterday." or "I had finished my homework yesterday."?

I finished my homework yesterday..

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate the completion of homework the day before.

• I finished my homework yesterday, so I could relax in the evening.
• She finished her homework yesterday and went out with her friends.
• Did you finish your homework yesterday?
• He always finishes his homework on time.
• We finished our homework yesterday morning.

Alternatives:

• I completed my homework yesterday.
• I did my homework yesterday.
• Yesterday, I finished my homework.
• My homework was finished yesterday.
• Yesterday, my homework was completed.

I had finished my homework yesterday.

This phrase is correct and is used when referring to an action that was completed before another past action or point in time.

• I had finished my homework yesterday when you called.
• She had finished her homework yesterday before going to bed.
• Had you finished your homework yesterday before the teacher collected it?
• He had finished his homework yesterday by the time I arrived.
• By yesterday afternoon, I had finished my homework.
• I had completed my homework yesterday.
• Yesterday, I had finished my homework.
• My homework had been finished yesterday.
• Yesterday, my homework had been completed.
• I had done my homework yesterday.

Last Updated: April 01, 2024

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What is the difference between I finished my homework yesterday. and I have finished my homework yesterday. ?Feel free to just provide example sentences.

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I have finished my homework yesterday is grammatically incorrect. You could say: Yesterday, I finished my homework. I finished my homework. Or I finished my homework yesterday.

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