Perfect times in English are considered the most difficult for Russians. Since this time is logically incomprehensible to Russian thinking and has no analogues in our native language. But for students of classical English, it’s important to navigate the Ingilizce Present Perfect Tense. Of course, in our time, the British do not particularly use this picky time and look with surprise at those who speak clearly according to the rules of the language. Still, you need to learn how to use this time correctly. Indeed, a good command of a foreign language provides us with many layers of life: from work to domestic relations.
Present Perfect Tense
So, it is important to understand and understand how to properly “build” this time, correctly applying all the rules. In order to correctly express your thoughts in any foreign language, it is important to clearly know and understand all the rules of his time.
To form a sentence in Present Perfect Tense tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb to have and the main verb (semantic) in the third form, if it is an irregular verb or with the addition -ed.
For example: He has already done his work. - He has already done his job.
It is important to note that this time does not apply in English in sentences with elements indicating the past tense. That is, with the circumstances of time, place.
For example: I saw him at the cinema. - I saw him in the movies.
When using Present Perfect Tense, the emphasis is not on time, but on the result itself.
So, few people know, but for people who study English in depth, you need to know that Present Perfect Simple Tense is divided into Perfect Tense 1, 2, 3.
Perfect Tense 1
Used to express a completed action that is past, but at the same time part of the present moment. This time answers the question: "What did you do?"
For example: He hasn`t done his work yet. “He hasn't done his homework yet.”
He has just called. - He just called.
It is important to note that in order to express the state, use a simple present.
For example: He is ill. - He's sick. / He's sick.
NB Circumstances of the times can still be used in Present Perfect Tense. We can say that the following circumstances of time are characteristic of perfect time. So:
- just (He has just called here. - He just called here.);
- already (She has already done her work. - She has already done her job.);
- never (I have never been to London. - I have never been to London.);
- ever (Have you ever been to London? - Have you ever been to London?);
- yet (I haven`t done my homeworl yet. - I have not done my homework yet.);
- recently (Recently he has been sad. - Recently, he was sad.);
- this week, day, year etc. (I have met him three times today. - I met him three times today).
Present Perfect T. 1 is not used in interrogative sentences with "when ...".
Sometimes the situation is clear from the context, in which case we use the time we need.
For example: I had just come from Paris. “I just returned from Paris.”
Did you stay long there? “Have you been there for a long time?”
Present Perfect T. 2
Perfect Tense 2 performs the same function as Present Perfect Continuous Tense. They are used to express events that began in the past tense and last until the present moment or ended before the present moment and, possibly, will continue in the future. As a rule, such constructions from words are accompanied by the prepositions for, since, lately, recently.
For example: I have parted with her for twenty years. - I broke up with her for 20 years.
Present Perfect T. 3
It is used in situations where a certain event will happen only after certain conditions in the future. As mentioned above, this time cannot be used with the word "when", but in a situation where actions in the future are meant, you should use it according to the rule. This, of course, is not entirely clear to begin with, but if you look, you can understand that there is logic in this.
For example: When I have passed all my exams, I will go to home. “When I pass all the exams, I will go home.”
Present Perfect Continuous
As for this time, it is also divided into options: 1st and 2nd.
It is formed using the have been construction (auxiliary verb) and adding the -ing ending to the semantic verb. This time answers the question: "What did you do?"
Present Perfect Tense 1 is used to express an action that started in the past, but lasts for the present and, possibly, will continue in the future. As you can see, Present Perfect T performs the same function. 2. But between these times there is a thin line that a person learning a language should feel. So, instead of Perfect Continius 1, we can use Present Perfect 2 in the following situations:
- With stative verbs. You need to chop yourself up on your nose that Present Perfect Continuous is never used with static verbs. And in general, Continuous in any form should never be accompanied by stative verbs.
- In negative sentences: I haven`t read anything intersting for ages. “I haven't read anything interesting for ages.”
- With some idiotic verbs. As a rule, to show that the situation began in the past and continues to the present moment: I have always lived in this street. “I live on this street all the time.”
Present Perfect Tense 2 answers the question: "what did you do?" And it is used in situations where the action lasted recently and has an impact on events at the moment or explains the state of things at the present time.
For example: The road are wet. It has been raining. - The road is wet. It has rained.
Past Perfect Tense
This is a completed action, considered past, which is used only in conjunction with other actions, but not independently.
If you have already figured out the topic described above, then this will be much easier for you to understand. After all, Past Perfect Tense, Past Tense, Present Perfect Tense have identical functions, but there is still a difference between them.
Past Perfect Tense is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the past tense and the semantic verb with the ending -ed, and if the verb is incorrect, then it must be used in the third form.
So, this time is also divided into 3 options: 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Past Perfect Tense 1 is used to express actions that were completed before a certain point in the past.
For example: When I came to the station, the bus had already gone. - When I arrived at the station, the bus had already left.
Past Perfect Tense 2 is used to express actions that started at a certain point and continued until some point in the past. Find similarities to Present Perfect Tense?
Usually in this situation Past Perfect Continuous should be used, but Past Perfect 2 is used in the following situations:
- With stative verbs. (We knew that they had been friends since childhood. - We knew that they had been friends since childhood.)
- In negative sentences.
- With dynamic verbs. In this situation, the difference between Continuous and just Past Perfect is barely noticeable.
Past Perfect Tense 3 is used to express future events that will be past.
For example: He said that he would come only after she had apologized. - He said that he would come only after she asked for forgiveness.
But the question arises as to why the British have used so many times. The answer is simple. The British love order in everything. Therefore, for each case, the Englishman will find a special time, with the help of which it will be best to convey the main idea.