Perfect Tenses

There are three perfect tenses—present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect—showing action that has been completed or "perfected." To form these tenses, we add a form of the helping verb have to the past participle.

Present Perfect

The present perfect describes an action that occurred in the past and is complete or continuing in the present. We add the present forms of the verb have to the past participle. 

PRESENT PERFECT TENSE = HAVE OR HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE

  • Jamie has walked to the store many times.
  • Archaeologists have unearthed the remains of one of the oldest towns in the world near the modern city of Jericho.
  • One excavation has identified Catal Huyuk as the largest ancient settlement.
  • The President has selected the members of his cabinet.
  • The Electors have voted for the appropriate presidential candidate.

Past Perfect

The past perfect describes past action completed before another past action. We use the helping verb had before the past participle.

PAST PERFECT TENSE = HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE

  • Jamie had walked to the store before she went to school.
  • Today's Iraq had been the ancient Greek's "Mesopotamia."
  • Sumerians had lived in the southern part of Mesopotamia.
  • The President had received his salary of $200,000 in 1999.
  • He had agreed to freeze his salary for his entire term.

Future Perfect

The future perfect describes future action to be completed before another future action. We add the future form of the helping verb have to the past participle.

FUTURE PERFECT TENSE = WILL HAVE OR SHALL HAVE + PAST PARTICIPLE

  • Jamie will have walked to the store and back twice by noon.
  • I shall have washed three loads of clothes by this evening.
  • By next summer, archaeologists will have uncovered more information about the ziggurats, or temple-towers.
  • Soon we shall have deciphered the Rosetta Stone entirely.
  • Before Monday, he will have chosen his replacement.
  • Congress will have voted on the issue by next week.

Example 1

In sentences 1–4, tell whether each perfect tense verb phrase is present, past, or future.

  1. Father had walked five miles to get help for the stranded motorist.
  2. The class will have gathered two barrels of trash for their community service project.
  3. Have you curled your hair yet?
  4. Priscilla has joined the Daughters of the American Revolution organization.

Solutions

  1. We notice the past tense (had) form of the helping verb have, so we know that the tense is past perfect.
  2. We see the future tense form of have (will have), so we know that the tense is future perfect.
  3. The present tense form of have is used, so we know that the tense is present perfect.
  4. The helping verb have is in present tense, so we know that the tense is present perfect.

Example 2

For sentences 1–8, write the verb phrase, and tell whether it is present perfect, past perfect, or future perfect.

  1. Sumerians had used a counting system based on units of sixty, which we use today for measuring time.
  2. Before they are young men, these Sumerian boys will have completed an education in reading, writing, and arithmetic.
  3. Has the professor explained the cylinder seals used by the Sumerians?
  4. Before Thanksgiving vacation, we shall have studied the invention of writing.
  5. Had the Speaker of the House accepted the Congressperson's contemptuous comments?
  6. Before the vote, all the lobbyists will have spoken to me.
  7. Has the President appointed any new ambassadors?
  8. By tomorrow, I shall have researched the various Cabinet positions.

Solutions

  1. had used—We notice the past tense form of the helping verb have (had), so we know that the tense is past perfect.
  2. will have completed—We see the future tense form of have (will have), so we know that the tense is future perfect.
  3. Has explained—The present tense form of have (has) is used, so the know that the tense is present perfect.
  4. shall have studied—The helping verb have is in future tense (shall have), so we know that the tense is future perfect.
  5. Had accepted—We notice the past tense (had) form of the helping verb have, so we know that the tense is past perfect.
  6. will have spoken—We see the future tense form of have (will have), so we know that the tense is future perfect.
  7. Has appointed—The present tense form of have (has) is used, so the know that the tense is present perfect.
  8. shall have researched—The helping verb have is in future tense (shall have), so we know that the tense is future perfect.