PRESENT PERFECT - English Grammar - When do I use this tense?

Summary

In this informative video, Arnel from Arnel's Everyday English explains the present perfect tense, addressing common questions and confusions. He breaks down its grammatical structure, emphasizing the use of 'have/has' plus the past participle, and illustrates its connection to the present with relatable examples. The video highlights the differences between finished and unfinished time, demonstrating how the present perfect links past experiences to current relevance. Typical mistakes are also discussed, providing viewers with clarity on proper usage. This comprehensive guide serves as an excellent resource for anyone looking to master this essential English tense.

Takeaways

• 😀 The present perfect tense is formed using 'have/has' + past participle.
• 😀 'Have' is used with I, you, we, and they; 'has' is used with he, she, and it.
• 😀 The past participle is the third form of the verb (e.g., eat → eaten).
• 😀 In spoken English, contractions are common (e.g., 'I've' for 'I have').
• 😀 The present perfect connects past actions to the present, emphasizing current relevance.
• 😀 Examples illustrate how past experiences can be expressed without specifying finished time.
• 😀 Present perfect is used for ongoing or unfinished time periods (e.g., this month, this week).
• 😀 The past simple tense is used for specific finished times (e.g., 'I went to France in 2015').
• 😀 Common mistakes include using the past simple instead of the past participle and mixing tenses incorrectly.
• 😀 Context matters; the conversation can start with present perfect and shift to past simple for details.

Q & A

What is the grammatical structure of the present perfect tense?

The present perfect tense is formed using 'have' or 'has' plus the past participle of the verb. For example, 'I have eaten' or 'He has seen.'

When do we use 'have' and 'has' in the present perfect?

'Have' is used with I, you, we, and they, while 'has' is used with he, she, and it. For instance, 'I have' and 'he has.'

What is a past participle?

The past participle is the third form of a verb, used in the present perfect tense. For example, the past participle of 'eat' is 'eaten' and of 'dance' is 'danced.'

What is the importance of the present connection when using the present perfect?

The present perfect links past actions to the present. For example, saying 'I've lived in New York for five years' shows a past action (moving) that has relevance to the current situation (still living there).

What distinguishes finished time from unfinished time in the context of the present perfect?

Finished time refers to specific periods that are complete, such as 'I went to France in 2015.' Unfinished time refers to ongoing periods where events may still occur, such as 'I haven't been to the gym this month.'

Can you give examples of typical mistakes when using the present perfect?

Common mistakes include using the past simple instead of the past participle (e.g., 'I have ate' instead of 'I have eaten') and using the present perfect with specific finished times (e.g., 'Last night I've gone' instead of 'Last night I went').

Why is the present perfect tense often seen in news reports?

The present perfect is used in news because it emphasizes past actions that have current relevance, such as 'The government has decided to increase taxes,' highlighting the ongoing impact of that decision.

What is meant by 'unfinished time'?

Unfinished time refers to periods that are not yet complete, allowing for ongoing actions or experiences. For instance, 'This month' or 'Today' are unfinished times since they are still ongoing.

How does conversation context affect the use of the present perfect and past simple?

In conversations, the present perfect may be used to inquire about experiences without a specific time, while the past simple is used for actions with specific finish times, such as 'I went there last week.'

What is the overall purpose of the present perfect tense according to the transcript?

The overall purpose of the present perfect tense is to connect past actions or experiences to the present, emphasizing their ongoing relevance or impact.