Class 10-2: The Perfect Tenses

The perfect tenses all give the idea that a specific time or event happens before another specific time or event.

Rules:

Present perfect states a certain time or event has happened in the past and the time or event is ending in the present.

Past perfect states that a certain time or event has happened in the past and has finished in the past.

Future perfect states that a certain time or event will happen in the future and will finish in the future.

Examples:

He has slept for six hours.

She had already slept when they arrived.

He will already have slept when they arrive.

Explanations:

They finished sleeping directly before the current time. The exact time may be unknown.

First, she finished sleeping. After she slept, they then arrived.

First, she will finish sleeping. After she has slept, she will then arrive. She will finish sleeping before they arrive.

Note: Use already to explain that you will finish or have finished an action. 

Sentence Structure Formula:

Present Perfect: have/has + past participle You have watched television for two hours; please turn it off.

Past Perfect: had + past participle When they arrived, the baby had already gone to sleep.

Future Perfect: will have + past participle I will already have eaten when I arrive.