The Perfect Tenses

Present Perfect Tense

1. We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experiences. It is important if we have done it in our lives or not. It is not important when we did it.

      Examples:
         I have been abroad two times.
         Anna has never broken a leg.
         Have you ever eaten sushi?

      Tip! We often use never and ever with the Present Perfect Tense to talk about experience.
  
2.We use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about an action which started in the past and continuous up to now.

      Examples:
         I have been a teacher for more than ten years.
         We haven't seen Janine since Friday.
         How long have you been at this school?

      Tip! We often use since and for to say how long the action has lasted.
 
3.We also use the Present Perfect Tense to talk about a past action that has the result in the present.

      Examples:
         I have lost my wallet. = I don't have it now.
         Jimmy has gone to South America. = He isn't here now.
         Have you finished your homework? = Is your homework ready?

      Tip! We often use just, already and yet with the Present Perfect Tense for an action in the past with the result in the present.

Past perfect Tense
Past Perfect Tense

Past perfect tense verbs are formed with the helping verb had and the verb's past participle.

They show an action that came before another action in the past.

Here are some examples:

The team had won before I arrived.

My sister had just left when we walked in the door.

Although this verb tense shows an action that came before another action in the past, that other action does not have to be stated in the sentence.

It can simply be implied.

For instance, these sentences are still made with the past perfect verb tense although the past action is not state like it is in the sentences above.

The team had won.

My sister had just left.