This tense uses [has / have + a past participle verb] to show a single action that started in the past but has not yet finished.

Singular subjects require “has”, as in “She [has remained] orange since the tragic Halloween accident”.

Plural subjects require “have”, as in “They [have lived] in Springfield since they were small children”.

Sentences with this tense often include “since” or “ever since”.

One common example tests your ability to recognize the past participle. This term indicates the “third-column” verb form: swim, swam, swum; speak, spoke, spoken; eat, ate, eaten.

SAMPLE PRACTICE QUESTION FOR PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

        The mayor, against the advice of his top counselors, has
                                                     (A)
        repeatedly spoke out against the new land proposal,
              (B)          (C)
        which would develop the ocean-front property. No Error
                            (D)                                                         (E)

Choice (B) does not work alone. Instead it is linked with “has”, forming the present perfect tense.

This form needs the third-column verb "spoken" (speak, spoke, spoken).

Thus choice (B) is your answer.

SAT Writing: Using Present Perfect Tense

Lesson Includes:

—Explanation of Present Perfect Tense

—Sample Practice Question

—Practice Question

SAT Math

SAT Reading

SAT Writing

SAT Vocabulary

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE QUIZ

 

This SAT Writing Quiz provided for you by: