Perfect tenses in English are considered the most difficult for Russians. Since this time is logically incomprehensible to Russian thinking and has no analogues in our native language. But for students of classical English, it is important to navigate the Ingilizce Present Perfect Tense. Of course, in our time, the British do not particularly use this fastidious time and look with surprise at those who speak clearly according to the rules of the language. And yet you need to learn how to use this time correctly. After all, high-quality knowledge of a foreign language provides us with many layers of life: from work to domestic relationships.
Present Perfect Tense
So, it is important to understand and figure out how to properly "build" this time, correctly applying all the rules. In order to correctly express your thoughts in any foreign language, it is important to clearly know and understand all the rules of its times.
To form a sentence in Present Perfect Tense, you need to use the auxiliary verb to have and the main verb (semantic) in the third form, if it is an irregular verb or with the addition of the ending -ed.
For example: He has already done his work. - He has already done hisjob.
It is important to note that this tense is not used in English in sentences with elements indicating the past tense. That is, with the circumstances of time, place.
For example: I saw him at the cinema. - I saw him in the movies.
When using Present Perfect Tense, the emphasis is not on time, but on the result itself.
So, few people know, but for people who study English in depth, you need to know that Present Perfect Simple Tense is divided into Perfect Tense 1, 2, 3.
Perfect Tense 1
Used to express a completed action that is past but also part of the present moment. This tense answers the question: "What did you do?"
For example: He hasn`t done his work yet. - He hasn't done his homework yet.
He has just called. - He just called.
It is important to note that the simple present tense is used to express state.
For example: He is ill. - He is sick./He is sick.
N. B. Circumstances of time can still be used in Present Perfect Tense. We can say that the following circumstances of time are characteristic of the perfect tense. So:
- just (He has just called here. - He just called here.);
- already (She has already done her work.);
- never (I have never been to London. - I have never been to London.);
- ever (Have you ever been to London? - Have you ever been to London?);
- yet (I haven`t done myhomeworld yet. - I haven't done my homework yet.);
- recently (Recently he has been sad. - Lately he has been sad.);
- this week, day, year etc. (I have met him three times today. - I met him three times today).
Present Perfect T. 1 is not used in interrogative sentences with "when…".
Sometimes the situation is clear from the context, in which case we use the appropriate tense.
For example: I had just come from Paris. - I just got back from Paris.
Did you stay long there? - How long were you there?
Present Perfect T. 2
Perfect Tense 2 performs the same function as Present Perfect Continuous Tense. They are used to express events that began in the past tense and continue until the present, or ended before the present and possibly will continue into the future. As a rule, such constructions from words are accompanied by prepositions for, since, lately, recently.
For example: I have parted with her for twenty years. - I broke up with her for 20 years.
Present Perfect T. 3
Used in situations where a certain event will only happen after certain conditions in the future. As mentioned above, this tense cannot be used with the word "when", but in a situation where future actions are meant, you must use it as a rule. This, of course, is not entirely clear to begin with, but if you look, you can understand that there is logic in everything.
For example: When I have passed all my exams, I will go to home. - When I pass all my exams, I will go home.
Present Perfect Continuous
As for this time, it is also divided into options: 1st and 2nd.
It is formed using the construction have been (auxiliary verb) and adding the ending -ing to the semantic verb. This tense answers the question: "What did you do?"
Present Perfect Tense 1 is used to express an action that started in the past, but continues to the present moment and may continue in the future. As you can see, Present Perfect T. 2 also performs the same function. But between these tenses there is a fine line that a person who speaks a language should feel. So, instead of Perfect Continius 1, we can use Present Perfect 2 in the following situations:
- With stative verbs. It is necessary to cut down on your nose that Present Perfect Continuous is never used with stative verbs. And in general, Continuous in any form should never be accompanied by stative verbs.
- In negative sentences: I haven`t read anything intersting for ages. - I haven't read anything interesting in ages.
- With some durative verbs. As a rule, to show that the situation began in the past and continues to the present moment: I have always lived in this street. - I live on this street all the time.
Present Perfect Tense 2 answers the question "whatdid?" And is used in situations where the action lasted recently and has an impact on events at the moment or explains the state of things at the present time.
For example: The road are wet. It has been raining. - The road is wet. It's been raining.
Past Perfect Tense
This is a completed action that is considered past and can only be used in conjunction with other actions, not on its own.
If you have already de alt with the topic described above, then it will be much easier for you to understand this one. After all, Past Perfect Tense, Past Tense, Present Perfect Tense have identical functions, but there is still a difference between them.
Past Perfect Tense is formed using the auxiliary verb to have in the past tense and the semantic verb with the ending -ed, and if the verb is irregular, then it must be used in the third form.
So, this time is also divided into 3 options: 1st, 2nd, 3rd.
Past Perfect Tense 1 is used to express actions that were completed before a certain point in the past.
For example: When I came to the station, the bus had already gone. - When I arrived at the station, the bus had already left.
Past Perfect Tense 2 is used to express actions that started at a certain moment and continued until a certain moment in the past. Find similarities with Present Perfect Tense?
Usually the Past Perfect Continuous should be used in this situation, but Past Perfect 2 is used in the followingsituations:
- With stative verbs. (We knew that they had been friends since childhood. - We knew that they had been friends since childhood).
- In negative sentences.
- With dynamic verbs. In this situation, the difference between Continuous and just Past Perfect is barely noticeable.
Past Perfect Tense 3 is used to express future events that will be past in the past.
For example: He said that he would come only after she had apologized. - He said he would only come after she apologized.
But the question arises as to why the British use so many tenses. The answer is simple. The British love order in everything. Therefore, for each case, the Englishman will find a special time with which it will be best to convey the main idea.
