Good day to you, dear friends! Today I will tell you about the "Real perfect tense in English". In Russian, you will not find an analogue of this grammatical structure and therefore it may seem that it is not easy to understand the rules of application. But it's not.
From this article you will learn:
Rule and examples
Time Perfect bands is the third main tense group of verbs in British.
If we talk about the analogy with Russian, then we translate Perfect.
There is only one important rule to remember:
The present perfect tense in English is used only when you want to focus not on the action itself, but on its result.
And if the result of an action can be observed in the present, then this will be The Present Perfect Tense.
They also say that "the result is on the face."
Let's look at examples and you will see that in practice it is easy to separate the perfect from the ordinary past:
- I have already cooked breakfast. — I have already prepared breakfast.
- I washed up yesterday. — I washed the dishes yesterday.
Tangible difference between these two examples, isn't it? The first example is the Present Perfect. You probably noticed that although the translation sounds like an event in the past, it corresponds to the past perfect in Russian. Whereas in the second sentence we use the imperfect .
We state the facts
First of all, I propose to consider the rules for composing affirmative sentences in Perfect. As usual, we keep the direct word order and bring it to the form:
Person + predicate + object + circumstance of time.
Compare the sentences in perfect English and try to conclude:
| I | |||
| He |
Of course, you noticed a pattern: the predicate consists of two words: have - auxiliary, in a suitable form, and the main one, conveying the meaning of the statement, with the ending ed. In the days of the Perfect group, we always use the semantic word in the third form, in British it is called Participle II. For regular verbs is the initial + ed.
For incorrect ones, a suitable value can be taken from the third column of the table of irregular verbs, which is in any dictionary.
We complete tasks without errors
Often in tests and controls you can find exercises where you need to open the brackets and put the word in the correct tense form.
Among the proposed tasks, the circumstances of time or clarifying sentences that are a consequence of the main one will help you choose Progressive. Let's practice:
Example:
She already (close) the window. – She has already closed the window.
- We already (discuss) this article.
- I (watch) this film, and I don't like it.
- My friend (explain) me the way and I came in time.
If you complete the task correctly, then each line will have/has and the ending ed at the words in brackets.
Asking about results
Using the present perfect tense for interrogative sentences makes sense when you want to know its result, and not just "WAS OR NOT".
Have you ever been in Moscow?
At the same time, the scheme of the proposal corresponds to the scheme of the general question:
Helper + subject + predicate
Please note that the predicate remains unchanged - V3.
Regret or pride
Negative in Perfect usually suggests that the speaker is sorry or proud that something did not happen. And again, it is not the action itself that is meant, but the consequence:
I have never visited New-York.
She has not (hasn't) read this book.
Have you noticed the peculiarity of constructing negation in perfect tense? Namely, never or not can be used for negation - as in other temporary groups. In the first case negative word translated as a double negation "never", but in British both these negations cannot be present in one part of the statement, so we choose only one.
The Present Perfect Tense is often found in oral speech and therefore, in order to easily apply it, the exercises in the englishdom courses will be indispensable. Classes with a Russian-speaking teacher and a native speaker. Mobile app, conversation clubs for practice. One-on-one lessons with a teacher. The cost of one lesson is 590 rubles.
AT writing indicators of our grammatical form serve: already, ever, never, yet. Having met such words in the test, you can be sure that you have a perfect conjugation.
New ones will help you determine which time group your sentence belongs to: present, past or future.
Subscribe to my blog for more useful articles and rules, and you will also receive as a gift, completely free of charge, an excellent basic phrasebook in three languages, English, German and French. Its main advantage is that there is a Russian transcription, therefore, even without knowing the language, you can easily master colloquial phrases.
I was with you, Natalya Glukhova, I wish you a good day!
One of the most common difficulties of the English language for a Russian-speaking person is the difference between Present Perfect and. Is it really that important? Is there any difference between the following sentences?
- Ivan Taraskin was born in 1970.
- Ivan Taraskin went to school in 1976.
- Ivan Taraskin was in London 3 times.
Born, went, was All three verbs are in the past tense. Therefore, I will use Past Simple for all 3 sentences and at first I will be outraged when they tell me that in English they will sound like this.
- Ivan Taraskin was born in 1970. (Past Simple)
- Ivan Taraskin went to school in 1976. (Past Simple)
- Ivan Taraskin has been to London 3 times.
Imagine if you said:
- Ivan Taraskin went to London 3 times
This mistake would have cost him his life! Why? Yes, because in English the past tense is used when an action can no longer be repeated in a specified period of time. And in our case, it cannot be repeated only if the person is no longer in the world.
- Ivan Taraskin has been to London 3 times (so far he has been to London 3 times and may go there again)
- Ivan Taraskin went to London 3 times (can't go there anymore)
When you want to say that you have watched (at the time of speaking) 4,000 films, ate 50 kg of chocolate, or met 100 people, you need to use the Present Perfect, that is, have / has (for he / she / it) + 3 form of the verb.
The present completed tense is a stumbling block for many English learners. Firstly, because it is not as transparent and understandable as or . Indeed: simple time -, single, regular simple actions; extended time - extended, long actions. But the completed time is by no means always a finished action. Therefore, this is the not uncommon case when you just need to memorize cases of using time.
Secondly, time itself is called PRESENT completed, and it denotes actions in the PAST.
And third, between present perfect and there is a very thin line, and it must also be observed.
So, let's analyze each of these three contradictions separately.
1. What activities do we call completed? These actions must be in the past, completed recently, just now, etc. That is, those actions that are relatively close to the present time. That is why it is called so - PRESENT completed, because it has a connection with the present and must be completed by now.
2. As we have just agreed, the present completed tense is called so because it denotes actions in the past that are somehow related to the PRESENT tense:
These actions can have a tangible result or proof in the present tense: Anna has graduated from university. (Anna graduated from the university. The result - now Anna has a diploma, you can touch it, for example).
This action is news new information that you tell someone: The police have caught the thief. (The police caught the thief. This is news).
- I have prepared for the seminar in biology. (I prepared for a seminar on biology. The result is that now I have some information on biology in my head, you can hear it).
- The grandfather has painted the roof. (Grandfather painted the roof. The result is the roof is now a different color, you can see it).
- Jack has finally got his driver's license! (Jack finally got the rights! This is new information that you tell a friend, colleague, etc.)
3. What's the difference between Past simple and present perfect if both these tenses convey actions in the past? Schematically Past simple can be depicted like this:
Now let's see how the action is located in time space in present perfect.
See the difference? Actions in the present completed - only those that are sooooo close to the present moment in time, have a connection with it and ARE NOT SIGNED WITH A CERTAIN TIME.
What is the structure present perfect ? In this tense we have an auxiliary verb - have . This means that after the pronouns he/she/it it changes to has . The main verb comes with the ending -ed (if it is correct), or in the third form / participle form (if it is). So it’s not in vain that our impressive list of irregular verbs is still learning! Consider the examples first with the correct verb:
- Grandpa painted the roof. - The grandfather has painted the roof.
- Grandpa didn't paint the roof. - The grandfather has not painted the roof. - The grandfather hasn't painted the roof.
- Grandpa painted the roof? Has the grandfather painted the roof? - Yes, he has. / No, he hasn't.
And now with the wrong one:
- We bought a car (this is news). - We have bought a car.
- We didn't buy a car. - We have not bought a car. - We haven't bought a car.
- Have you bought a car? - Have you bought a car? - Yes, we have. / No, we haven't.
Complete the exercise to reinforce the material.
How do you like this phrase: "No one is perfect, that's why pencils have erasers." - "No one is perfect, that's why pencils have erasers"? However, "Perfect" still exists, and this is "Present" (real). What is the Present Perfect?
To begin with, it is worth noting that the equivalent of this tense or the Present Complete in Russian simply does not exist - this is the whole difficulty of understanding. But hold on! We're here to sort things out. Let's go!
Education Rules Present Perfect
Let's look at an example:
I have seen this film before.
In the first place we subject(subject or subject), then auxiliary verb(auxiliary) - have or has + Past Participle = seen.
Using Present Perfect
- When we talk about experience and achievements ( experience & achievements):
I have jumped with a parachute!- I jumped with a parachute!
I've just graduated from University and got a diploma!- I just graduated from university and got my diploma!
She has started to walk!- She started walking!
- To show some changes:
You've lost weight!- You've lost weight!
- When the action happened in the past, but we do not know when exactly, or the time does not matter. The main thing is not when the action happened, but its result in the present:
Have you read this book?- Did you read this book? (Although someday?)
Nick has traveled a lot. - Nick traveled a lot.
- In proposals from Stative/State verbs when an action started in the past, continues in the present, and may continue in the future. The following words can be used in these sentences: since(since) and for(during):
I've known him for ten years.- I have known him for 10 years (I knew him in the past, I know now, and maybe I will know him in the future).
I haven't felt well since Monday.- I don't feel well since Monday.
- When the time of the action is determined by words just(just now), already(already), yet(more). Exact connection with the present:
I've just seen an interesting movie.- I just watched an interesting film.
She has already left.- She's already gone.
The show has not started yet.- The show hasn't started yet.
- When an action took place during a period that has not yet ended. These periods include: today(today), this morning(this morning), this week(this week), this month(this month), this year(this year), etc.:
She has called her best friend this morning.- She called her best friend in the morning (the morning is not over yet).
I have never been to China.“I have never been to China. (I have never been to China in my entire life.)
- Description of recent events. Usually in such cases the words recently(recently), lately(in recent times, recently):
We have come back recently.- We just got back.
You've worked hard lately.- You've been working hard lately.
- When the action occurs for the first (second, third, etc.) time:
It's the first time I have done it.- I did it for the first time.
It's the second time I have driven a car.- I drove the car for the second time.
It's the third time she has called him this morning. She called him this morning for the third time.
Features of using been and gone in Present Perfect: examples
« Been" and " gone» are past participles (the third form of the verb), gone is the past participle form of the verb go, and been- past participle form of the verb be. Everything seems to be clear, but when translating into Russian or from Russian, students have a lot of problems. Let's look at examples:
Is Ann in the office? No, she has just been to Great Britain. And she is at home today relaxing. She'll be here tomorrow.
Is Ann in the office? No, she has just gone to China. She is spending there one month supervising the work of our subsidiary and is coming back on the 25th.
As you can see from the context in the first case, Anna was in the UK but has already returned. Her journey has just ended.
In the second case, on the contrary, her journey has just begun, she has left and will be in China for another month.
It follows that Present Perfect with " been" means back and forth action, and Present Perfect with " gone" means action only there.
Conclusion
After all of the above, the question arises: “Why then Past Simple if there is a Present Perfect?
There is a huge difference between Past Simple and Present Perfect. Past simple happened in the past. We know when, and the time is over. So it does not include the real. Yesterday, last year, two minutes ago. All this is already finished time.
And if time unfinished? Today, this week, for these ten years (all these periods of time include the moment "now"), then we use Present Perfect. Let's compare:
I've fed a tiger today. I fed ten tigers yesterday.
She went to Europe last summer. I've never been to Europe in my life.
We've had many customers this week. We didn't have so many customers last week.
I lived here for ten years. I've lived here for ten years.
In which case I'm still here live? Of course, I've lived here for ten years, because it means that the action started in the past and still going on. I lived here for ten years means I lived a long time ago, but have already moved. Here you are walking past the house where you once lived a long time ago, and you say: I lived here for ten years a long time ago.
We hope that now you have no doubts left! Have a great English and evolve!
We offer you to get acquainted with other tenses of the English language
Big and friendly family EnglishDom
Present perfect - it is not difficult to understand, it is difficult to start using it in your communication.
This material was prepared by native English speakers in a very accessible and understandable way.
What is Present Perfect
1. Present Perfect is a mix of present and past.
2. Present Perfect - makes your English richer.
3. In American English, Present Perfect is often replaced by Past Simple.
When is the Present Perfect used?
1. The action happened and we see the result now.
2. When we are talking about our life experiences.
3. When various kinds of changes took place in life, in the world, in oneself, etc.
4. When shared achievements are mentioned.
5. When it is necessary to emphasize the duration of accomplished facts.
Let's analyze the above points in more detail.
1. The action happened and we see the result now
The main marker, the word "just", which is not translated into Russian, but it is implied. Or, when it is important for us to focus on what has been done or happened.
I (just) had breakfast. I have had breakfast.
I (just) did my homework. I have done my homework.
I (just) washed my car. I have washed my car.
We have (just) arrived. We have arrived.
She (just) forgot her car keys. She has lost her car keys.
The plane (just) landed. The plane has landed.
2. When it comes to our experience
For example: he never ate frogs, she was never in America, they flew on a plane, we never had chickenpox, etc.
The main marker, the word "once, before" or "never", which are also not translated, but are implied by the context.
I saw (before) this movie. I have seen this movie.
Have you ever been in love? Have you ever fallen in love?
She has never seen snow. She has never seen snow.
Have you ever driven a Ferrari? Have you ever driven on a Ferrari?
I was (once, before) in Paris. I have visited Paris.
I've never been sick (before). I've never been sick before.
I have seen this world. I've seen the world.
3. When there were various kinds of changes in life
What could it be: gasoline prices have risen, a new house, the child has grown up, you have learned more words in English, you have chosen a new president, etc.
She lost weight. She has lost some weight.
Our son has learned to read. Our son has learned how to read.
Gasoline prices have risen sharply. Gas prices have increased a lot.
My dream has come true. My dream has come true.
Since I moved to Canada my English has really improved.
My English has really improved since I moved to Canada.
Vanya grew up from the moment I saw him for the last time.
Ivan has grown since the last time I saw him.
4. When it comes to overall achievements
Apple released a new iPhone, a man flew to Mars, a new cure for cancer was invented, in Russia they finally created the perfect car.
Doctors have discovered drugs for many diseases.
Doctors have discovered cures for many diseases.
Man has been to the moon. Man has been to the moon.
The computer made it possible to study online.
The computer has made it possible to learn online.
5. When to Emphasize the Duration of Accomplished Facts
Everything is simple here: we have been in a relationship for 5 years, I have been living in Australia since 1990, I have not seen him for 2 years, she has been working in this company for 10 years, etc.
I haven't been on vacation this year. I haven't had a holiday this year.
I have known Anya for 5 years. I have known Anna for 5 years.
Sam has been working here for 7 years. Sam has worked here for 7 years.
I haven't seen my brother since last year. I haven't seen my brother since last year.
We have been dating for 3 months. We have been in a relationship for 3 months.
An important nuance!
If you are taking an exam, or focusing on American English, remember:
In American English, the present perfect is often replaced by the past simple.I have just seen him. Bre
I saw him.I just saw him. amer
I saw him.She has never seen snow. Bre
She has never seen snow.She never saw snow. amer
She has never seen snow.
Formation of Present Perfect
have/has + verb ending -ed - or irregular verb from the third column -V3-
Simple sentence
| I You We They | have | cooked dinner. |
| He She It | has | cooked dinner. |
Negation in Present Perfect
| I You We They | have not - haven't | lived in Moscow |
| He She It | has not - hasn't | lived in Moscow |
Questions in Present Perfect
| Have | I You We They | seen that? |
| Has | He She It | known about..? |
I was constantly confused English tenses, and it was very difficult for me to understand in what cases to use this ill-fated Present Perfect. Today I will try to explain as clearly and simply as possible in which cases it is necessary to use the Present Perfect, and not some other English tenses.
Indefinite time in the past
We use the Present Perfect to say that an event happened in certain moment in past. That is, we do not say when exactly this happened. We only say that it was in the past. Call exact time not necessary. You cannot use the Present Perfect with expressions such as yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. And with expressions that do not name a specific moment in time, Present Perfect is just what you need to use. These are expressions ever, never, once, many times, several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.
Let's look at a few examples:
I have seen that movie twenty times.(I have seen this movie 20 times).
I think I have met him once before.(I think I met him once).
There have been many earthquakes in California.(California has had many earthquakes).
People have traveled to the Moon.(People flew to the moon).
People have not traveled to Mars.(Humans have not gone to Mars.)
Have you read the book yet?(Have you read this book yet?)
Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.(No one has ever climbed that mountain.)
A: Has there ever been a war in Russia?(Has Russia ever had a war?)
B: Yes, there has been a war in Russia.(Yes, there was a war in Russia).
Note that none of the examples named a specific point in time.
Still, such a formulation as “indefinite point in time” may not be clear to you. Let's then divide the use of the Present Perfect by topic.
1. Mentioning someone's experience
You can use the present perfect tense when talking about your experience. This is the same as the phrase " I have the experience of…» Accordingly, if you have not had a similar experience to this day, you can say it using the same tense. However, you cannot use the Present Perfect to mention a specific event.
I have been to France.(It means that you have had the experience of being in France. Perhaps you have been there once, and maybe several times).
I have been to France three times.(You can put as many times as you like at the end of the sentence.)
I have never been to France.(Here it says that you had no experience of traveling to France.)
I think I have seen that movie before. I have seen this movie before (You have already had this experience).
He has never traveled by train. He never rode a train (no such experience)
Joan has studied two foreign languages. Joan learned two foreign languages. (She knows them now).
A: Have you ever met him?(Have you met him?)
B: No, I have not met him.(No, I haven't.)
2. Changes over a period of time
You have grown since the last time I saw you.(You've grown since the last time I saw you.)
The government has become more interested in art education.(The state became more interested in arts education.)
Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since the Asian studies program has been established.(Japanese has become one of the most popular languages in universities since the introduction of Asian programs.)
My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.(I have improved my English a lot since I moved to Australia.)
3. Achievements
Present Perfect is used when we mention the achievements of a person or humanity. But we do not name a specific moment.
Man has walked on the Moon.(Man landed on the moon.)
Our son has learned how to read.(Our son has learned to read.)
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.(Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.)
Scientists have split the atom.(Scientists have split the atom.)
4. An event that has not yet occurred that we expect
By using the present incomplete tense, we mean that we are waiting for some event to happen.
James has not finished his homework yet.(James didn't finish his homework.)
Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.(Susan is not yet an expert in Japanese but can communicate.)
Bill has still not arrived. (Bill hasn't arrived yet.)
The train hasn't stopped .(The train didn't stop.)
5. Multiple activities at different times
We use the Present Perfect to talk about events that happened several times at different times in the past. The use of this particular time indicates that the process has not yet ended and can happen again.
For example:
The army has attacked that city five times.(The army attacked the city several times.)
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.(I had four quizzes and five tests this semester.)
We have had many major problems while working on this project.(we had a lot big problems while working on the project.)
She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why she is sick.(She has spoken to several specialists about her problem, but no one knows what she has.)
Time Expression with Present Perfect
Let me remind you once again that the use of the Present Perfect characterizes some time in the past. To name some exact moment in time is not so important. Sometimes we want to limit a period of time in the past by talking about our own or someone else's experience.
For example:
Have have you been to Mexico in the last year? Have you been to Mexico at least once in the past year?
I have seen that movie six times in the last year. I have watched this movie 6 times in the last year.
They have had three tests in the last week. They had 3 tests in the last week.
She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for three different companies so far. She graduated from university less than three years ago. During this time she worked for three different companies.
my car has broken down three times this week. This week my car broke down 3 times.
IMPORTANT NOTE. "last year" and "in the last year" have different meanings. "Last year" means "last year", which is a specific point in time, so the Past Simple is used. "in the last year" is 365 days ago, that is, on any of these days. This does not imply a specific point in time, so the Present Perfect is used.
I went to Mexico last year. I went to Mexico last year (one year ago).
I have been to Mexico in the last year. I was in Mexico at least on one of the 365 days between today and the past.
Duration from past to present
Relevant for verbs that do not form ing-forms (non-continuous verbs), as well as for mixed verbs (mixed verbs). In this case, we use the Present Perfect to refer to events that began in the past and continue to the present. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" can all be used with the present perfect tense.
I have had a cold for two weeks. I've had a cold for two weeks. I got sick in the past, but still continues to get sick.
She has been in England for six months. She has been in England for 6 months. Arrived in the past and hasn't left yet.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl. Mary loves chocolate since childhood.
Sometimes verbs that form ing forms can also be used with the Present Perfect: For example, the verbs "live," "work," "teach," and "study."
