Present perfect: meaning, definitions and examples
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present perfect
[ ˈprɛzənt ˈpərfɪkt ]
grammar
The present perfect is a verb tense which is used to show that an action has taken place once or many times before now. The present perfect is most frequently used to talk about experiences or changes that have taken place. It is also used to describe actions that started in the past and continue into the present.
Synonyms
present perfect tense
Examples of usage
- I have visited Paris twice.
- She has already finished her homework.
- We have lived in this house for five years.
- They have never been to Japan.
- The present perfect is often used with the words 'since' and 'for'.
linguistics
In linguistic studies, the present perfect is a grammatical combination of the present tense and the perfect aspect that is used to express a past event that has present consequences. It is a complex tense that can be challenging for learners of English as a second language.
Synonyms
present perfect aspect, present perfect tense
Examples of usage
- The use of the present perfect varies across different languages.
- Native English speakers often use the present perfect without even realizing it.
- In some languages, the present perfect is not used at all.
Translations
Translations of the word "present perfect" in other languages:
🇵🇹 pretérito perfeito
🇮🇳 प्रस्तुत पूर्ण
🇩🇪 Perfekt
🇮🇩 perfect tense
🇺🇦 досконалий час
🇵🇱 czas perfekt
🇯🇵 現在完了形
🇫🇷 passé composé
🇪🇸 pretérito perfecto
🇹🇷 geçmiş zaman
🇰🇷 현재완료
🇸🇦 الماضي التام
🇨🇿 předpřítomný čas
🇸🇰 prítomný dokonavý čas
🇨🇳 现在完成时
🇸🇮 preteklik
🇮🇸 fullkomin tíð
🇰🇿 толық уақыт
🇬🇪 მიმდინარე სრულყოფილი დრო
🇦🇿 mükəmməl zaman
🇲🇽 pretérito perfecto
Etymology
The term 'present perfect' originated in the field of linguistics in the late 19th century to describe the combination of present tense and perfect aspect in English grammar. It has since become a widely used term in both grammar studies and language teaching. The present perfect tense has evolved over time to become an essential part of English verb conjugation, and its usage continues to be a topic of interest and discussion among linguists and language learners.