Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous Markers in English

Auxiliary words or marker words in the English language are necessary in order to correctly select and use different kinds of temporary forms of verbs when writing sentences. Often, these hint words become loyal helpers for those who cannot figure out similar times in any way, based on their general definition and meaning. This article proposes to consider the markers Present Perfect and Present Perfect Continuous - the times that most often cause problems for Russian-speaking people studying the language.

Present Perfect: general description

In textbooks, this kind of temporary form is described as follows: present perfect tense or past tense, directly related to the present. Time markers for Present Perfect are used to indicate and describe the following actions and situations:

• An action or event that has ended and has entailed a certain result, reflected in the present. For example: I have lost all my money and cannot pay for this. “I have lost all my money and cannot pay for it.” Money was lost in the past, but the result of this action - the inability to pay - is felt now, in the present.
• An action that refers to the speaker’s personal life experience. For example: I have never used this tool and don't really know how it works. “I’ve never used this tool and I don’t really know how it works.”
• An action or event that has not yet ended. She has known him since their first meeting in 1998. - "She knew him from their first meeting in 1998." And he still knows that, in principle, it can equally be considered the result in the present, as in the first paragraph of this list.

As a rule, difficulties arise when trying to distinguish Present Perfect from the simple past tense - Past Simple. However, if we recall that the simple past, unlike the present perfect, has no connection with the present, most disputed cases will acquire a very concrete and obvious solution in which marker words can play an important role.

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Most auxiliary words place an event or action in a time period that began in the past, but continues to this day. For instance:

• Today - today. Something that happened today could happen an hour, and three, and ten hours ago, but have an impact on the present, because today is not over yet.
• This week - this week, which is also not yet completed.
• This month - this month.
• This year - this year.
• At the beginning of (the year) - at the beginning (of the year). Instead of the year, you can use the day (day), the month (month), the week (week) and others.
• At the end of (the year) - at the end of (year). Similar to the previous item in the list, the word the year can be replaced.

It is quite easy to trace the difference with the simple past. Compare:

In general, the pattern to follow is not difficult.

Words indicating life experience

In total, four of the most commonly used markers of life experience can be distinguished. Here they are:

Any of these words, although it does not directly indicate Present Perfect, is still a marker. Moreover, it is convincing enough to use the required time without hesitation after seeing at least one of them in the sentence.

Other markers Present Perfect

Three more pointer words are difficult to classify, but they can play a decisive role in choosing the appropriate type of temporary form. Here they are:

1. Just - just now. For example: The bus has just arrived. - The bus has just arrived.
2. Since - from (at some point). I have not seen him since October. - I have not seen him since October.
3. For - for some time. They have not met for two years. - They have not met for two years.

The last two, by the way, can be considered marker words Present Perfect Continuous - a real perfect long time. About him below in the article.

Present Perfect Long Time: Pointers

This kind of temporary form is rarely used, in ordinary speech of native English speakers it is practically not found. Examples of use can only be found in fiction, and even there it gives the work an official or sublime tone. And all because in practice it has few fundamental differences with the usual Present Perfect. Even the pointers for this time do not differ. Unless, besides them, a direct indication of the duration of action is also required. For instance:

As can be seen from the examples, the use of the present perfect long time is very particular, they require several types of temporary pointers at once, which is quite rare in real everyday communication.

To summarize

Present Perfect marker words are very useful not only when using this design, but also for learning other English tenses. For example, having understood the structure of the present perfect time, you can easily master the future and go on to study the past. In addition, if you study times without paying due attention to directional words, there is always the risk of making a mistake in a controversial situation when it is not possible to determine the appropriate type of temporary form from the context and markers remain the only guideline. For those who are preparing to pass tests or exams in English, pointer words often become an indispensable tool and greatly facilitate the legendary "complex English grammar." After all, if you carefully understand, it is not so difficult.