In this lesson, you’ll review the three basic verb tenses of English and learn about the “perfect” aspect of each of those tenses.

The three basic verb tenses in English are present, past, and future.

We use present tense to write about facts, opinions, or things that happen regularly.

In the example below, the present tense of hire is used to explain that web technicians are regularly hired:

They hire web technicians.

We use past tense to write about the past.

In the example below, the past tense of hire is used to explain that web technicians were hired in the past:

They hired web technicians.

We use future tense to write about future events.

In the example below, the future tense of hire is used to explain that web technicians will be hired in the future:

They will hire web technicians.

Much can be expressed with these three basic tenses. However, in some situations, we need to express a more complex idea. In this case, the perfect tense can be helpful. Let’s learn more about perfect tenses.

Past Participles with Perfect Tense

Much can be expressed with these three basic tenses. However, in some situations, we need to express a more complex idea. In this case, the perfect tense can be helpful. Let’s learn more about perfect tenses.

In most cases, the past participle of a verb is formed the same way the past tense is formed—by adding ed, d, or t at the end of the verb.

However, irregular verbs have different constructions for the past tense and past participle. In the chart below, the irregular verbs are in italics:

Past Participle Constructions

If you are unsure whether a verb is irregular, do a quick internet or dictionary search. This will help you determine how to form the past participle of the verb. Let’s study perfect tenses now.

Perfect Tenses

The word perfect in grammar means completed. So, perfect tenses refer to actions that have been completed, yet have a connection with other time frames. Let’s look at each of the perfect tenses now.

Present Perfect

The present perfect tells about an action that happened in the past and is still happening. It also refers to an action that happened in the past and the effects of that action are still happening.

It is formed by using has or have with the past participle form of the verb. Let’s look at an example:

Thomas has worked here for ten years.

In the above sentence, we know that ten years ago, Thomas started working at the company (completed action) and that he still works at the company (it is still happening). Let’s look at another example:

I have driven that route to work.

In this example, we know that the person drove the route at least once before (completed action) and that the person still knows about the route (effect of the action is still happening). Notice that the verb, drive, is irregular, so its past participle form, driven, is different than regular verbs.

Past Perfect

The past perfect tells about an action that happened before another action happened in the past.

It is formed by using had with the past participle form of the verb. The action that happened after the past perfect action is then written. This is done by using the word or phrase before, when, or by the time, followed by a simple past tense verb. Let’s see an example:

The chef had cooked the meal by the time the waitress arrived.

In the above sentence, we know that before the waitress arrived (simple past action), the chef cooked the meal (past action that happened before another past action). Let’s look at another example:

The fax machine had broken before the printer disappeared.

In this example, we know that before the printer disappeared (simple past action), the fax machine broke (past action that happened before another past action).

Future Perfect

The future perfect tells about an action that will happen at a specific time in the future. The future perfect also tells about an action that will happen in the future before another future action.

It is formed by using the phrase will have with the past participle form of the verb. Let’s look at an example.

Julie will have worked here for fifteen years by the end of this year.

In the above sentence, we know that when the end of the year comes (a specific time in the future), Julie will have worked (future perfect action) at the company for fifteen years. Let’s look at another example:

The conference will have started by the time we arrive.

In this example, we know that when they arrive (future action), the conference will have started (future perfect action).

Practice Problems

1. Select which option shows the sentence in present perfect tense.

1. They run this department.
2. They are running this department.
3. They have run this department.
4. They will have run this department.

2. Select which option shows the sentence in present perfect tense.

1. My company website has failed.
2. My company website will have failed.
3. My company website had failed.
4. My company website is failing.

3. Select which option shows the sentence in past perfect tense.

1. We will have created our menu app before we open our restaurant.
2. We had created our menu app before we opened our restaurant.
3. We did create our menu app before we opened our restaurant.
4. We created our menu app before we opened our restaurant.

4. Select which option shows the sentence in past perfect tense.

1. Yasmin had found the contract when she returned.
2. Yasmin will have found the contract when she returned.
3. Yasmin was finding the contract when she returned.
4. Yasmin found the contract when she returned.

5. Select which option shows the sentence in future perfect tense.

1. Sam will write the proposal by the end of the week.
2. Sam has written the proposal by the end of the week.
3. Sam will be writing the proposal by the end of the week.
4. Sam will have written the proposal by the end of the week.

6. Select which option shows the sentence in future perfect tense.

1. Our meeting will be finishing before they serve us lunch.
2. Our meeting had finished before they served us lunch.
3. Our meeting will have finished before they serve us lunch.
4. Our meeting will finish before they serve us lunch.

Need More Help?

1. Study other English Language Practice pages in the Resource Center.
2. Visit the Online Tutoring Resources in the Resource Center.
3. Contact your Instructor.
4. If you still need help, Schedule a Tutor.