Present Perfect
المضارع التام
A past action with a present result — no finished time expression.
Step 1 — Learn
Concept, form, uses, signal words and the traps STEP loves to test.
Concept
The present perfect links the past to now. We use it when the exact time is not stated or not important, when the result still matters today, when an action started in the past and continues, and for experience in life so far.
المضارع التام يربط الماضي بالحاضر: الحدث وقع في وقت غير محدد، أو ما زال أثره قائماً حتى الآن.
Past — Now — Future
Past ————●———→ Now (result still matters)
The action happens before now, but we look at it from now.
Form
- Affirmative
- Subject + have / has + past participle (V3)
- Negative
- Subject + have / has not + past participle
- Question
- Have / Has + subject + past participle ?
One verb, three forms
- She has finished the course.
- She has not finished the course.
- Has she finished the course?
The participle never changes: finished stays the same in all three sentences.
التصريف الثالث للفعل لا يتغير في الإثبات والنفي والسؤال.
he / she / it → has. Never use a finished time word such as yesterday.
Main uses
Past action with a present result
حدث ماضٍ وأثره باقٍ الآن
- • I have lost my ID card, so I cannot enter.
- • He has broken his phone.
Life experience, time not stated
الخبرة في الحياة دون تحديد وقت
- • I have visited Riyadh twice.
- • She has never taken the STEP test.
Started in the past and still continuing
بدأ في الماضي وما زال مستمراً
- • We have lived here since 2019.
- • He has worked here for six years.
Recent news with just, already, yet
أخبار قريبة
- • The results have just been announced.
- • They have already registered.
Signal words
Common STEP traps
❌ I have seen him yesterday.
✅ I saw him yesterday.
A finished time word requires the past simple.
❌ She has went home.
✅ She has gone home.
Use the past participle (V3), not the past simple.
❌ I am here since Monday.
✅ I have been here since Monday.
Duration up to now takes the present perfect.
❌ He has finish it.
✅ He has finished it.
The participle needs its full form.
Model sentences
I have already submitted the application.
لقد قدّمت الطلب بالفعل.
Have you ever studied abroad?
هل سبق أن درست في الخارج؟
She has taught English for ten years.
تُدرّس الإنجليزية منذ عشر سنوات.
Step 2 — Practice
Controlled activities: sentence completion, form and signal-word recognition, usage discrimination and tense comparison. Feedback appears only after you answer.
Present Perfect practice
Score 0/8Question 1 of 8 · Sentence completion
I ______ my keys, so I cannot open the door.
Step 3 — STEP test
Exam-style multiple choice with four plausible options, scoring, percentage and a review of everything you missed.
Present Perfect STEP test
Score 0/10Question 1 of 10 · STEP MCQ
The committee ______ not yet reached a final decision.