The Present Perfect Tense and Past Perfect Tense

8/12/2019 The Present Perfect Tense and Past Perfect Tense

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THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE ANDTHE PAST PERFECT TENSE

BIZ 1054 :

PROGRESSIVE

ENGLISH


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THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

We use the present perfect tense, like the simple past

tense to talk about completed actions. However,

unlike the simple past tense which is used with definite

time phrases, we do not state the exact time of an

action with the present perfect tense.

Examples: SIMPLE PAST TENSE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

__________________ ________________________Patrick conducted a workshop Patrick has conduc teda workshop for

for young working adults last week. young working adults.

(completed action at a definite time) (completed action with no exact time)


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We can use the present perfect tense with words like

sinceand forto refer to an action that began in the

past and is still going on at the point of speaking.

Examples: SIMPLE PAST TENSE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

______________________ ________________________I studied at this college for five years. I have studiedin this college for five years.

(I am no longer there) (I am still there)

I wasin this college in 1998. I have beenin this college since 1998.

(I am no longer there) (I joined in 1998 and I am still there)


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We use the present perfect tense and not the simple past tense with

adverbs of indefinite timesuch as alreadyandjustto show completed

actions and yet to show that an action is expected to happen but has nottaken place at the point of speaking.

We use neverand everwith the present perfect tense to refer to a time

frame that began in the indefinite past and continues up to the present.

Examples :

a. They have alreadysigned the agreement with our firm (completedaction)

b. Have you ever enjoyedthe beauty of nature around you?


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We use the present perfect tense to refer to a time

frame that began in the recent past and is not over

yet at the point of speaking.

Examples :

a. I havent seenLinda this week. She has beenso busy (This week isnot over)

b. I havent hadtime for breakfast. I haveonly hada cup of coffee this

morning. (This morning is not over yet)


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THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

When we refer to completed actions in the past, we can

use different past tense forms to indicate what we

mean.

Example: SIMPLE PAST TENSE +SIMPLE PAST TENSE

______________________________________

As the U.S. stocks rose, the Asian market rebounded.


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We use the past perfect tense for an action or

situation that happened earlier, and the simple past

tense for the action or situation that took place

later.

Examples:PAST PERFECT TENSE + SIMPLE PAST TENSE

_________________________________________The secretary had prepared before the directors arrivedfor

all the reports. the meeting.

The situationhadalready when the two leaders agreedto

deteriorated. peace talks.


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We use the past perfect tense with words like already

andjustto refer to actions which we completed

before a specific time in the past.

Examples :

a. Ann had already w alkeda hundred metres down the road when sheremembered that she hadnt locked her front door. (completed action

before a specific time)

b. We had just hadour coffee break when we metsome old friends

outside the caf.


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We use the past perfect tense with time words and phrases such

as alwaysand more thanonce to refer to repeated actions in

the past,never to refer to an action that had not taken place upto the point of speakingand yet for an action that we expected

to happen in the past but which had not taken place up to the

point of speaking.

Examples :

a. Mom had always coaxedus to eat more vegetables when we were young.

b. The old janitor had toldus more than oncethat the lifts were not functioning well but we

had not heeded him

c. We hadnt chosenthe venue for our weekend camp yet when the principal suggested

the Forest Reserve.

d. The class had never heardof the famous scientists who Peter spoke about.


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PRACTICE (TICK THE CORRECT

SENTENCE)

A. Colin has met me at the bank this morning. We decided to have

lunch together.

B. Ann did not write to us yet. She is probably busy with her studies.C. This has been a hectic week for Joan. She has been swamped with

meetings and reports.

D. In the last decade there was/has been a significant breakthrough in

the treatment.

E. Joe and I had sworn/have sworn to keep this matter a secret fromthe rest of the group.

Documents

The Present Perfect Tense and Past Perfect Tense