ALL PERFECT TENSES in English - present perfect | past perfect | future perfect

Summary

In this English grammar lesson, Arnel focuses on the perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect. He explains their grammatical structures and uses timelines to illustrate how these tenses emphasize actions that occur before another point in time. Arnel differentiates between the perfect tenses and simple past, highlighting the importance of context and logic in tense selection. The lesson includes examples and a mini-clip from an interview with actress Jennifer Lawrence, emphasizing the relevance of past experiences in the present. Viewers are encouraged to practice using these tenses with personal examples.

Takeaways

• 😀 There are 12 basic tenses in English, categorized into present, past, and future tenses.
• 📚 The lesson specifically focuses on perfect tenses: present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.
• 🔍 Perfect tenses are used to emphasize an action that occurred before another action or point in time.
• 📝 The grammatical structure for present perfect is 'subject have/has' plus the past participle of the verb.
• 🕒 Past perfect is formed with 'subject had' plus the past participle, used to indicate an action completed before another past action.
• 🔮 Future perfect tense uses 'subject will have' plus the past participle, denoting an action completed before a future point in time.
• 🏞 The present perfect tense is often used to describe experiences or actions that have relevance to the present, without specifying when exactly they happened.
• 🏡 Examples given include having been to Paris, having finished homework, and having seen a house, illustrating the use of present perfect in real-life scenarios.
• 🎓 The past perfect is highlighted in its use in detailed past narratives, such as in police interrogations, where actions are sequenced in the past.
• 🚀 The future perfect tense is exemplified with plans and predictions about actions that will be completed by a certain future time.
• 🔄 The lesson differentiates between perfect tenses and simple past or future tenses, emphasizing the connection between past actions and their impact on the present or future.

Q & A

What are the three types of perfect tenses discussed in the script?

The three types of perfect tenses discussed are the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect.

How is the grammatical structure of the present perfect tense formed?

The present perfect tense is formed using 'subject have or has plus the past participle' of the verb.

What is the difference between using 'have' and 'has' in the present perfect tense?

The choice between 'have' and 'has' depends on the subject. Use 'have' with plural subjects or 'I', and 'has' with third-person singular subjects.

Can you provide an example of forming a negative sentence in the present perfect tense?

A negative sentence in the present perfect tense is formed as 'I have not eaten at Rosario's.'

What is the grammatical structure of the past perfect tense?

The past perfect tense is formed using 'subject had plus past participle' of the verb.

How does the future perfect tense differ from the present and past perfect tenses?

The future perfect tense is formed using 'subject will have plus past participle' and emphasizes an action completed before a future point in time.

Why is the present perfect tense often used in interviews?

The present perfect tense is often used in interviews because interviewers are interested in the candidate's past experiences up to the present moment, not the specific timing of events.

What is the role of the past perfect tense in showing a sequence of past events?

The past perfect tense is used to show that one past action was completed before another past action, establishing a sequence of events.

How does the future perfect tense indicate the completion of an action before a future event?

The future perfect tense indicates that an action will be completed before a future point in time, such as 'By the end of the summer, you will have been to France, Germany, and Spain.'

What is a common mistake made when using the present perfect tense to describe a past to present connection?

A common mistake is using the present continuous or present simple tense instead of the present perfect tense to describe a past to present connection, such as saying 'Jane is living in Canada for 22 years' instead of 'Jane has lived in Canada for 22 years.'

How can the perfect tenses be used to describe an action that continues up to a point in time?

Perfect tenses can describe an action that continues up to a point in time by indicating the duration of the action leading up to that point, for example, 'I have been a teacher for 12 years, up to now.'