PERFECT TENSES

UNIT 3 GRAMMAR

Perfect Tenses

Teacher Ana M. García Pedregosa

CONTENTS

1.- PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

a) Form

b) Uses

c) Adverbs

2.- PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

a) Form

b) Uses

3.- PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

a) Form

b) Uses

PRESENT PERFECT Form

We use the present perfect simple:

To talk about unfinished actions or states. Situations that started in the past and continue to the present:- She's lived in London for three years.

To talk about life experiences. Actions that happened at an undefinite time in the past:- I've been to Tokio.

To talk about a finished action with a result in the present:- I've lost my keys (so, I can't get into my house).

To talk about news or recent events:- The queen has given a speech.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

ALREADY / YET / STILL

AFFIRMATIVE: We use already. It comes in the middle of the sentence:They've already made dinner. YES/NO QUESTIONS: We use yet at the end of the sentence. Has he written the article yet? NEGATIVE: We use yet in the negative at the end of the sentence.He hasn't written the article yet.We use still in the negative before the verb.He still hasn't written the article

TIME EXPRESSIONS

EVER / NEVER

THE SUPERLATIVE: We use ever in sentences with an adjective in the superlative:This is the most delicious sushi I've ever eaten.YES/NO QUESTIONS: We use ever in questions in front of the past participle. Has he ever written a novel? NEGATIVE: We use never to express the negative, although the verb will always be in the affirmative (as never is a negative adverb). He has never written a novel.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

JUST:

We use just between "have" and the past participle to express an action that happened a short time ago. I've just made an omellette. It's still hot.

RECENTLY / LATELY /

These two adverbs are used at the end of the sentence to express that an action took place a short time ago: I haven't seen you lately.He's had two accidents recently.

TIME EXPRESSIONS

With an unfinished time word (this / these /today, so far...)

The period of time is still continuing:I haven't seen her this month.She's drunk three cups of tea today.I've already moved house twice this year.

How long...?

We use how long to ask about the duration of an action in any context. When we combine it with the present perfect tense, what we want to know is the duration of the action from the past (when it started) to the present (as still continues happening).To answer this question, we can use two prepositions:How long have you known John?

FOR: With a period of time - 2 hours, three years, six months, two days,...)I've known John for 3 years.SINCE: with a point in time in the past.I've known John since 2018.

U2 I still haven't found what I'm looking for

LYRICS

I have climbed highest mountainsI have run through the fields Only to be with you Only to be with you I have run I have crawled I have scaled these city walls These city walls Only to be with you But I still haven't found what I'm looking for But I still haven't found what I'm looking for I have kissed honey lips Felt the healing in her fingertips

It burned like fireThis burning desire I have spoke with the tongue of angels I have held the hand of a devil It was warm in the night I was cold as a stone But I still haven't found what I'm looking for But I still haven't found what I'm looking for I believe in the kingdom come Then all the colors will bleed into one Bleed into one

But yes I'm still runningYou broke the bonds And you loosed the chains Carried the cross Of my shame Oh my shame You know I believe it But I still haven't found what I'm looking for But I still haven't found what I'm looking for But I still haven't found what I'm looking for But I still haven't found what I'm looking for

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

• RESULT COMES FROM THE ACTION ITSELF:

The present perfect continuous is used when the result comes from the action itself. It doesn't matter if the whole action is finished or not. The result is often something we can see, hear, smell, or feel:

• I've been eating dinner, so there are plates all over the table.
• She's been doing her homework, so she's tired.
• I've been making a cake, that's why the kitchen is such a mess.

• RESULT COMES FROM AN ACTION BEING FINISHED

The present perfect simple is used when the action is finished, and the result comes from the action being finished.

• I've eaten dinner, so let's go out.
• She's done all her homework, so she can relax this evening.
• I've made a cake. Would you like some?

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

The present perfect simple focuses on the fact that the action is completed:

• I've read the book you recommended. (I've finished it, so we can talk about it).

We use 'yet' and 'already' with the present perfect simple:

• Have you read the book yet?
• She's already finished her work.

The present perfect simple is generally neutral:

• They've waited for hours. (This doesn't emphasise the length of time).

The present perfect continuous often focuses on the action itself:

• I've been reading the book you recommended. (I'm enjoying it, but I'm not finished).

The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise the length of time that has passed (the duration of the action).

• They've been waiting for hours! (This emphasises the length of time).

PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

PRESENT PERFECT SIMPLE

The present perfect continuous can also be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present (except with stative verbs).

• She's been living here for three years.

The present perfect continuous can be used to emphasise that something is temporary:

• She's been running a lot recently. (She doesn't usually do this).
• Usually, I study at home, but I've been studying in the library for the last week.

The present perfect simple can be used (often with 'since' and 'for') to talk about unfinished actions that started in the past and are still true in the present. It's often used with stative verbs:

• I've known John for three years.

PAST PERFECT SIMPLE

Form

A finished action before a second point in the past.

• When we arrived, the film had started .

Something that started in the past and continued up to another action or time in the past. The past perfect tells us 'how long', just like the present perfect, but this time the action continues up to a point in the past rather than the present. Usually we use ‘for + time’.

USE

• When he graduated, he had been in London for six years.

Thank you!