UppInt A: Perfect Tenses

PERFECT TENSES  (SIMPLE + CONTINUOUS/PROGRESSIVE)

 USE: To talk about two points in time & their relationship to each other

A) linked to a later event                          B) finished by a certain time

PRESENT PERFECT (PAST+ PRESENT) (HAS/HAVE + P.P.) 

1. Started in the past + continues till now (unfinished) 

I have been living in Vancouver for 6 months.

I’ve known him since 1997.

2. Non-specific past (finished)

Have you ever been to a Korean restaurant?

She’s lived in over 7 countries.

       
 *Often used with never/ever for added emphasis.  I’ve never eaten dog before.
 *Do not use with a specific time e.g. yesterday/last week (use simple past)

3. Recent past has a result on the present (finished)

What have you done to your hair?

I’ve lost my passport.

Obama has been elected.

*Often used when reporting news to make news more EXCITING! RELEVANT! CURRENT!

*Often used with these words Just/already/yet:         I’ve just finished.

                                                                                   I’ve already finished.  

                                                                                  I haven’t spoken to her yet.

PAST PERFECT (PAST + PAST) (HAD + P.P.): completed before another action in the past 

*use only if it is important to compare/order events in the past

Sam had taken off when Ann got there.

Before coming to Vancouver, I had not heard of Stanley Park.

She wanted to go to the aquarium but we’d already been there.

*When before/after is used in a sentence, the past perfect is often not necessary because the time relationship is clear and simple past may be used

SAME:             After the guests had left, I went to bed.

After the guests left, I went to bed.

*Other grammar areas which use the past perfect structure

Reported speech: He told me he had eaten dinner already.

3^rd Conditional (Unreal past): If I had known, I wouldn’t have gotten takeout.

           "Wish": (Regret) I wish I had gone to the party. 

FUTURE PERFECT (FUTURE+FUTURE)( WILL HAVE + P.P.) : Will be completed at a certain point in the future

*Use with By: By that time, by this time next week, by the end of 2013, By the end of the day etc.

By June, I will have graduated from university.

By the end of August, I will have been living in Vancouver for 2 months.

***FOR/SINCE: often used with perfect tenses 

I’ve been a university grad since 2010. (Emphasizes duration)

I’ve been a university grad for 2 years. (Emphasize beginning/start)