To indictate that something has started in the past but hasn't finished yet, we use the present perfect (voltooid tegenwoordige tijd).
The present perfect is made by have/has + past participle (voltooid deelwoord).
The past participle is made by adding '-ed' after the verb (regular verbs). You will have to learn the past participles of the irregular verbs by heart.
Examples:
I have played the piano for five years.
Ik speel al vijf jaar piano.
Simon has lived in Amsterdam since 2001.
Simon woont sinds 2001 in Amsterdam.
If you want to say something about a happening the past with a result on the present, you will also need to use the present perfect.
The time it happened is not important.
I have lost my keys.
Ik ben mijn sleutels verloren.
He has already paid for it.
Hij heeft er al voor betaald.
She has heard that story.
Ze heeft dat verhaal gehoord.
In questions and negations we also use 'have' or 'has ' plus past participle.
|
Question |
Negation |
---|---|---|
I have lived. |
Have I lived? |
I haven't lived |
You have lived. |
Have you lived? |
You haven't lived. |
He has lived. |
Has he lived? |
He hasn't lived. |
We have lived. |
Have we lived? |
We haven't lived. |
You have lived. |
Have you lived? |
You haven't lived. |
They have lived. |
Have they lived? |
They haven't lived. |