Perfect Tense

Perfect tense is a category of verb

tense used to describe completed
actions. It covers the present perfect
tense, the past perfect tense, and the
future perfect tense.
Present Perfect Tense
The present perfect tense refers to an action or
state that either occurred at an indefinite time in
the past (e.g., we have talked before) or began in
the past and continued to the present time (e.g.,
he has grown impatient over the last hour). This
tense is formed by have/has + the past
participle.
Example:

• I have walked on this path before.

• We have eaten the lasagna here.

Correct: I have put away all the laundry.

Incorrect: I have put away all the laundry this
morning.
Past Perfect Tense
The past perfect tense, also called the pluperfect
is a verb tense used to talk about actions that
were completed before some point in the past.
For example:

• John had baked a cake before you arrived.

• They had painted the fence before I had a
chance to speak to them.
What’s the difference between
past perfect and simple past?
Future Perfect Tense
The future perfect tense is for talking about
an action that will be completed between
now and some point in the future. Imagine
that your friend Yanna asks you to take care
of her cat for a few days while she goes on
a trip.
Examples:

• John will have baked a cake before you arrive.

• They will have painted the fence before I have a
chance to speak to them.
Present Progressive Tense
The present progressive tense
indicates an action that is
continuously happening or
something that is ongoing.
Lets study these examples:

• 1.My niece is taking her Mandarin class at

the moment.
• 2.My siblings are working in Japan.
• 3.I am reading my favorite book.
Present Progressive Tense
Present Progressive tense can also be used to
indicate fixed plans in the future. Usually with
time expressions such as: tonight, tomorrow, this
week, this sunday, etc.

Example:
• I am going to the library tomorrow.
• We are meeting his friends tonight.
Past Progressive Tense
Past progressive Tense The past progressive
tense indicates a continuing action, or something
that was happening or going on at some point in
the past.
Lets study these examples:

• 1.Hannah was watching her favorite movie last

night.
• 2.My friends were talking about the new coffee
shop in our city this morning.
Other uses of the past progressive tense:
• 1.It can also be used to describe an activity in the past
that was interrupted.

For example:
I was sleeping when my grand parents arrived.

• 2.It can be used for describing the actions that were

happening at the same time in the past.
For example:
We were listening to our favorite song while we were
reading.
Future Progressive Tense
The future progressive tense indicates something
that will be happening at some point in the future
and will bwle ongoing.

The future progressive tense of verbs is formed

by
will be present or + participle shall be Or-ing
form of the verb
Sentences using the future progressive tense of
verbs.

• 1.My relatives will be visiting our house this

holiday season.
• 2.I shall be meeting my cousin next week.
• 3.He will be attending the seminar this
summer.
• The PROGRESSIVE TENSE, also called the
CONTINOUS TENSE, is used to describe
actions that continue over period of time.

• And the PERFECT TENSE shows completion,

or perfected action, up to a point of a time.
PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
TENSE
• The PAST PERFECT PROGRESSIVE is
formed by using a compound verb form.

had been + present participle

 NOUN/ AUXILIARY PRESENT
PRONOUN VERBS
(HAVE/HAS BEEN) PARTICIPLE
I have been looking.
You have been looking.
He/She/It have been looking.
We have been looking.
They have been looking.
PAST PREFECT
PROGRESSIVE
1. To describe the duration of something in the
past using expressions of time

2. To explain past cause and effect

3. To describe actions that started in the past and

ended at another point in the past.
PAST PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
They had been living in the city for ten years when they decided to move to
the county.

How long had you been waiting before a customer service representative
answered your call?

Nikki was homesick because she had been studying abroad for almost a year.

Allen had a car accident because he had been texting while driving.

The students had been taking a test when the fire drill alarm rang.

Fortunately, they hadn’t been working long then the interruption occurred.
PRESENT PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE TENSE
The PRESENT PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE is a formed by using a
compound verb form.

has/have been + present participle

NOUN/PRONOUN AUXILIARY PRESENT
VERBS PARTICIPLE
(HAVE/HAS
BEEN)
I have been searching.
You have been searching.
He/She/It have been searching.
We have been searching.
They have been searching.
PRESET PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
1. to emphasize the duration of an action

2. to show recent cause and effect

3. to describe temporary actions

PRESENT PERFECT
PROGRESSION
How long have you been working on yor homework?

I’ve been working on this paper for two hours.

Sheena hasn’t been living in Texas for almost three years. She’s been living
in california.
My hands are red because I have been washing dishes all morning.

The company has been advertising on social media because they want to
attract a younger audience.

Who has been looking after your elderly uncle after his wife died?

I have been taking care of him for the past three weeks. but we are looking
fora permanent nurse.
FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
TENSE
The FUTURE PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
is formed by using a compound verb form.

will have been + present participle

NOUN/PRONOUN AUXILIARY PRESENT
VERBS PARTICIPLE
(WILL HAVE
BEEN)

I will have been eating.

You will have been eating.
He/She/It will have been eating.
We will have been eating.
They will have been eating.
FUTURE PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
1. to show an action that will be completed
before some specified time in the future

2. to show the duration of an action

FUTURE PERFECT
PROGRESSIVE
By the time they get married next month, they will have been
dating for two years.

When the guests arrive tonight. I’ll have been preparing for the
party all afternoon.

By the time Jen graduates next fall, she will have been attending
college for almost si years.

When Mike turns sixteen, he will have been playing tennis for
ten years.