The Perfect Tenses, Part 1

The Present Perfect

When do we use it?When we are talking or writing about

something that happened at an indefinite time (not specific) before now.

Example:

I have flown on a plane.

What does it look like?

Two parts

Present tense “have” agrees with the subject: I have flown on a plane. She has flown on a plane.

Plus past participle: I have flown on a plane. She has flown on a plane.

What does it look like?

Negative: I have not/haven’t flown on a plane.

Y/N: Has she flown on a plane?

Short answer: Yes, she has. No, she hasn’t.

Wh-: When have you flown on a plane/planes?

Present Perfect vs. Simple Past

Pres Perf

Maybe/Maybe not finished – let the context and the signals help you

If it’s finished, we don’t know when it happened – we only know “before now”

Signals often for (how long)/since (when started)

Past

Always finished in past

Time signals tell us when it happened

Uses past tense signals (ago, in 1992, last night, etc.)

Might use “for” but won’t use “since”

Examples:

Finished or not?

I lived in London in 1996. I lived in London for two years. I have lived in London. I have lived in London for two years. I have lived in London since 1996. I have been to London many times.

The Present Perfect Progressive

When do we use it?When we are talking or writing about

something that started at an indefinite time (not specific) before now and is in progress/is continuing.

Example: I have been flying on this plane since

8:00.

What does it look like?

Three parts!

Present tense “have” agrees with the subject: I have been flying on this plane since 8:00. She has been flying on this plane for 3 hours.

Plus past participle of “be” I have been flying on this plane since 8:00. She has been flying on this plane for 3 hours.

Plus present participle (“-ing”) I have been flying on this plane since 8:00. She has been flying on this plane for 3 hours.

What does it look like?

Negative: I have not been listening to the teacher, and

now I am confused.

Y/N: Has she been listening to her teacher??

Short answer: Yes, she has. No, she hasn’t.

Wh-: What have you been doing since you got here?

Pres Perf vs. Pres Perf Prog

Pres Perf

Maybe/Maybe not finished – let the context and the signals help you

If it’s finished, we don’t know when it happened – we only know “before now”

Signals often for/since

Pres Perf Prog

Not finished

Started in past but still continuing (and may go into the future)

Can be used with for/since

Some tricky things:

A few verbs can be used in pres perf and pres perf prog with the same meaning. Examples: live, work, study.

I’ve been living in Seattle for 2 years = I have lived in Seattle for 2 years.

I’ve been working at NSCC for 2 years = I’ve worked at NSCC for 2 years.

I’ve studied English since 2005 = I’ve been studying English since 2005.

And

Don’t forget about nonprogressive/stative verbs ! NO: I’ve been liking this class since the first day.

Finished? Continuing?

She ate breakfast two hours ago.

She has eaten breakfast.

She has been eating breakfast for two hours.

She hasn’t eaten since 10:00.

Recap:

Present Perfect: Have + past participle Happened sometime before now but we don’t

know when (not specific) Signals for & since

Present Perfect Progressive: Have + been + present participle Started sometime before now, continuing now Signals for & since