Present Perfect

Summary

In this instructional video, the speaker explains the present perfect tense, detailing its structure and uses. Key points include the formation of affirmative, negative, and interrogative sentences, as well as the distinction between present perfect and present perfect progressive tenses. The presenter emphasizes the importance of context, highlighting how the presence or absence of 'since' and 'for' can change the meaning of a sentence. By illustrating these concepts with clear examples, the speaker clarifies when to use each tense, ensuring that learners understand how to communicate actions that began in the past and continue into the present.

Takeaways

• 😀 The present perfect tense is formed with 'have' or 'has' plus the past participle of a verb.
• 😀 The past participle is the third form of the verb (e.g., 'speak' becomes 'spoken').
• 😀 To form a negative sentence in the present perfect, add 'not' after the helping verb (e.g., 'She hasn't read a book').
• 😀 Yes/no questions in the present perfect begin with the helping verb (e.g., 'Has she read a book?').
• 😀 The present perfect tense is used to describe actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
• 😀 Use the present perfect progressive to emphasize the duration of an ongoing action (e.g., 'I have been reading for two years').
• 😀 When using 'for' or 'since,' the present perfect indicates that an action is still ongoing.
• 😀 Without 'for' or 'since,' the present perfect can imply a completed action with no specific time mentioned.
• 😀 The simple past is used for actions completed at a specific time in the past (e.g., 'The students wrote last week').
• 😀 The distinction between present perfect and simple past is crucial for understanding the timing and continuity of actions.

Q & A

What is the structure of the present perfect tense?

The present perfect tense is formed using 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of a verb. For example, 'She has read.'

How do you form a negative sentence in the present perfect tense?

To form a negative sentence in the present perfect tense, add 'not' after 'have' or 'has.' For example, 'She hasn't read.'

What is the difference between present perfect and present perfect progressive?

The present perfect emphasizes the relevance of an action that has been completed, while the present perfect progressive focuses on the duration of an ongoing action.

When should you use 'since' and 'for' with the present perfect tense?

'Since' is used to indicate a specific starting point in the past (e.g., 'since 2014'), while 'for' indicates a duration of time (e.g., 'for two years').

What does it mean if you use the present perfect tense without 'since' or 'for'?

Using the present perfect tense without 'since' or 'for' indicates a completed action in the past with no specified time reference, making the time indefinite.

Can you provide an example of an action verb and a non-action verb in the context of present perfect tense?

An example of an action verb is 'read' (e.g., 'I have read a book'), while a non-action verb example is 'know' (e.g., 'I have known her for two years').

Why is it important to differentiate between action and non-action verbs when using the present perfect tense?

It's important because non-action verbs cannot be used with the progressive form (e.g., 'I have been knowing'), whereas action verbs can be used to emphasize duration.

What does the term 'indefinite' mean in the context of the present perfect tense?

Indefinite means not specific; when referring to the present perfect tense, it indicates that the time of the action is not clearly defined.

How can you tell if an action is ongoing when using the present perfect tense?

You can tell if an action is ongoing by the use of 'for' or 'since' which indicates that the action started in the past and continues to the present.

What is the significance of the example 'The students have been writing for two weeks'?

This example indicates that the action is still ongoing and emphasizes the duration of the activity, distinguishing it from a completed action.