THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

AND
THE PAST PERFECT TENSE
WAJ3022 : ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY 1

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE THE PAST PERFECT TENSE
We use the present perfect tense, like the
simple past tense to talk about completed
actions.

Patrick has conducted a workshop for
young working adults. (completed action
with no exact time)

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that
something occurred before another action in
the past. It can also show that something
happened before a specific time in the past.

I had never seen such a beautiful beach
before I went to Kauai.


We can use the present perfect tense with
words like since and for to refer to an action
that began in the past and is still going on at
the point of speaking.

I have studied in this college for five
years. (I am still there)
We use the past perfect tense for an action or
situation that happened earlier, and the
simple past tense for the action or situation
that took place later.

The secretary had prepared all the
reports.
We often use the Present Perfect to talk
about change that has happened over a
period of time.

The government has become more
interested in arts education.

The Past Perfect expresses the idea that
something occurred before another action in
the past. It can also show that something
happened before a specific time in the past.

Kristine had never been to an opera
before last night.
We often use the Present Perfect to list the
accomplishments of individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a specific
time.

Our son has learned how to read

We use the past perfect tense with time
words and phrases such as always and more
than once to refer to repeated actions in the
past.

Mom had always coaxed us to eat more
vegetables when we were young.

THE PRESENT PERFECT TENSE

THE PAST PERFECT TENSE

HAVE / HAS + past participle HAD + past participle
The army has attacked that city five times.

You had studied English before you moved to
New York.

EXERCISE
1. I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
2. We were not able to get a hotel room because
we had not booked in advance
3. My car has broken down three times this week.
4. Tony knew Istanbul so well because he had visited the
city several times.
5. I did not have any money because I had lost my
wallet.