Present perfect: meaning, definitions and examples

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present perfect

 

[ ˈprɛzənt ˈpərfɪkt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
present perfect

The term 'present perfect' is used to describe an action that happened in the past but has relevance to the present moment. It's common in both spoken and written English when you want to link past events to the current state.

  • I have finished my homework.
  • She has lived here for ten years.
present perfect tense

The phrase 'present perfect tense' is a grammatical term used more formally and technically to describe the tense itself. It is often used in educational contexts, grammar books, and explanations.

  • The present perfect tense is formed using 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the verb.
  • In English grammar, the present perfect tense represents actions that began in the past and were completed by the time of speaking.

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'.
Context #2 | Noun

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
present perfect

Commonly used to describe actions or events that have occurred at some point in the past but have relevance to the present moment. It is often used in everyday conversation and writing.

  • I have eaten breakfast today.
  • She has finished her homework.
present perfect tense

Frequently used in educational settings or grammar explanations to specify the tense form in English. It helps learners understand how to construct sentences that link the past to the present.

  • The present perfect tense is formed using 'have' or 'has' along with the past participle of the verb.
  • In the present perfect tense, irregular verbs can be tricky to remember.
present perfect aspect

A more formal and technical term to describe the grammatical aspect of the present perfect tense. Used in linguistic or academic discussions to analyse how the tense conveys the connections between past actions and their present implications.

  • The present perfect aspect is used to express experiences up to now.
  • In English, the present perfect aspect often implies a link between past and present.

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.