How do you use present perfect and past perfect?
So what’s the difference between the present perfect and the past perfect? In short, we use the present perfect to talk about recent or past events that happened at an indefinite time, and we use the past perfect to refer to something that occurred before something else. If you’re still confused, don’t worry.
What is the rule of Past Perfect?
The Past Perfect Formula The formula for the past perfect tense is had + [past participle]. It doesn’t matter if the subject is singular or plural; the formula doesn’t change.
When should we use past perfect?
We can use the past perfect to show the order of two past events. The past perfect shows the earlier action and the past simple shows the later action. When the police arrived, the thief had escaped. It doesn’t matter in which order we say the two events.
What are the examples of past perfect tense?
Past Perfect Tense Examples
- Had met: She had met him before the party.
- Had left: The plane had left by the time I got to the airport.
- Had written: I had written the email before he apologized.
- Had wanted: Kate had wanted to see the movie, but she did not have money for the ticket.
What is the formula of Future Perfect?
The Future Perfect Formula The formula for the future perfect tense is pretty simple: will have + [past participle]. It doesn’t matter if the subject of your sentence is singular or plural. The formula doesn’t change.
When to use simple past or present perfect?
In British English, the use of Simple Past and Present Perfect is quite strict. As soon as a time expression in the past is given, you have to use Simple Past. If there are no signal words, you must decide if we just talk about an action in the past or if its consequence in the present is important.
When to use past perfect?
The most common use of the past perfect continuous tense is to describe an action that was in progress in the past before another past action or event occurred. When the second action happens, it interrupts and marks the completion of the first one.
What is an example of present perfect?
The verb phrase have met is an example of the present perfect: have + the past participle. Languages. In English grammar, the present perfect is an aspect of the verb expressing an action that began in the past and that has recently been completed or continues into the present. Also known as the present perfective.
What is present perfect progressive?
Present Perfect Continuous. The present perfect continuous (also called present perfect progressive) is a verb tense which is used to show that an action started in the past and has continued up to the present moment. The present perfect continuous usually emphasizes duration, or the amount of time that an action has been taking place.