From the school desk, students are frightened by difficult times to understand English, which must be crammed, otherwise you will not communicate and understand the language even at a minimum level. In fact, there are only three times for prim English, as in our great and mighty language: present, past and future. However, it should be understood: each time has its own characteristics, in other words, types. This article looks at the present and its Present Perfect Simple view.
Present English
Currently in English has 4 types:
- Present Perfect.
- Present Simple.
- Present Continuous.
- Present Perfect Continuous.
Exercises usually help fix all the difficulties of using these forms. It should be understood that these are not scattered rules, they have a certain system. The main thing in the study is to understand the essence of each time, when it needs to be put into practice in writing, and when in a live conversation.
Time formula
The name of the present Perfect Simple forms is translated as "present perfect time." The perfect form is one of the most used in communication between the inhabitants of England and America, although in the speech of the latter we hear it less often. This present tense is formed according to the following formula: auxiliary verb have / has + main verb in 3 form.
The third form for regular verbs is formed by adding the ending -ed, and for irregular ones there is a form, which is usually given in dictionaries.
For instance:
I have already cleaned my room. - “I already cleaned in my room” (the verb clean is correct).
He has already drunk his tea. - "He already drank his tea" (the verb drink is incorrect).
Thus, we can say that the present perfect tense is quite simple in education, the main thing to know is whether you use the correct form of the verb or not.
The third part of the table in dictionary editions and textbooks contains the third form of the verb. For example: the verb be (translated as be, exist) has the following forms: be / was (were) / been.
Using the present perfect tense
Present Perfect Simple is used when it is necessary to express exactly the result of an action that has already been completed. With the help of this time, attention is focused on the result and thus it is clear that the action has already been completed. We also use Present Perfect Simple when we talk about an action that happened in an unfinished period of time. Remember that the main thing for understanding the perfection is the connection with the present moment and the fact that the action is completed. For example: " I already ate a watermelon." - I have already eaten melon. That is, the result of the action itself, the actual result, is meant.
Present Simple vs Present Perfect
These two types of temporary forms belong to the present, but have different meanings. Present Simple is used when it comes to events that occur normally and everyday. The main pointers for him are such words: always (always), usually (usually), seldom (rarely), often (often). Present Perfect expresses an action that has already been completed and there is a certain result at the time of the speaker's speech. Also, these two times have different formulas of education. Simple time is used in live communication much more often than perfect. He has many words - pointers, that is, words that directly say that it is necessary to use perfect time.
The difference between Present Perfect and Past Simple
Learning English always raises the question of when to use Present Perfect and when to use Past Simple. You should understand the basic tenets of the use of these forms of time. The most important thing to keep in mind: "Past Simple" is the past tense, it talks about those events that have already occurred. "Present Perfect" - the present, it talks about what was started earlier and not yet finished, or finished, but has a relationship with today. Sometimes you can understand by the meaning of the text itself that it is necessary to use the perfect. You should choose the time depending on what you need to say to the speaker, based on the situation.
Timing Rules
If the situation or time period in question is over and has no connection with the present, then you should use "Past Simple." When using Past Simple time, this may mean that the person cannot already take any action. If you don’t talk in more detail about the reason for choosing this time, then you might think that the person is no longer alive.
She always loved watching TV. - "She always loved to watch TV" (meaning that she is no longer watching because she is dead).
She has always loved watching TV. - "She always loved to watch TV" (she loved before and still loves).
Etymology of the word
The word perfect comes from the Latin language and translates as "completion", and the meaning of "perfection", in the sense of lack of flaws, acquired much later. In fact, the word "perfect" acquired the meaning of perfect by expanding its former meaning, because something created is completed when it no longer has flaws. Perfect times are called so because they refer to actions that are completed relative to the present time, For example: “I ate bread” is the action that is currently completed. However, not every use of the present tense of the perfect form is associated with the idea of completion. In fact, the perfect form is in many European languages, including in our Russian language.
English is not difficult. The rules are easy to remember, and there are not many.