The Perfect Tenses, Part 1

The Present Perfect

What does it look like?

Present Perfect vs. Simple Past Pres Perf Maybe/Maybe not finished – let the context and the signals help you If it’s finished, we don’t know when it happened – we only know “before now” Signals often for (how long) /since (when started) Past Always finished in past Time signals tell us when it happened Uses past tense signals (ago, in 1992, last night, etc.) Might use “for” but won’t use “since”

Examples: Finished or not? Finished or not? I lived in London in I lived in London in I lived in London for two years. I lived in London for two years. I have lived in London. I have lived in London. I have lived in London for two years. I have lived in London for two years. I have lived in London since I have lived in London since I have been to London many times. I have been to London many times.

The Present Perfect Progressive

What does it look like?

Pres Perf vs. Pres Perf Prog Pres Perf Maybe/Maybe not finished – let the context and the signals help you If it’s finished, we don’t know when it happened – we only know “before now” Signals often for/since Pres Perf Prog Not finished Started in past but still continuing (and may go into the future) Can be used with for/since

Some tricky things: A few verbs can be used in pres perf and pres perf prog with the same meaning. Examples: live, work, study. A few verbs can be used in pres perf and pres perf prog with the same meaning. Examples: live, work, study. I’ve been living in Seattle for 2 years = I have lived in Seattle for 2 years. I’ve been living in Seattle for 2 years = I have lived in Seattle for 2 years. I’ve been working at NSCC for 2 years = I’ve worked at NSCC for 2 years. I’ve been working at NSCC for 2 years = I’ve worked at NSCC for 2 years. I’ve studied English since 2005 = I’ve been studying English since I’ve studied English since 2005 = I’ve been studying English since 2005.And Don’t forget about nonprogressive/stative verbs ! Don’t forget about nonprogressive/stative verbs ! NO: I’ve been liking this class since the first day. NO: I’ve been liking this class since the first day.

Finished? Continuing? She ate breakfast two hours ago. She ate breakfast two hours ago. She has eaten breakfast. She has eaten breakfast. She has been eating breakfast for two hours. She has been eating breakfast for two hours. She hasn’t eaten since 10:00. She hasn’t eaten since 10:00.

Recap: Present Perfect: Present Perfect: Have + past participle Have + past participle Happened sometime before now but we don’t know when (not specific) Happened sometime before now but we don’t know when (not specific) Signals for & since Signals for & since Present Perfect Progressive: Present Perfect Progressive: Have + been + present participle Have + been + present participle Started sometime before now, continuing now Started sometime before now, continuing now Signals for & since Signals for & since