Today, we look at verb tenses in writing on the blog. Because language is so abstruse, we need to define the nitty-gritty, so that we can better use language to suit our needs. As such, we are going to look at the use of a perfect verb tense. Understanding perfect verb tense helps us communicate more effectively when we will complete something in the future, have done something in the past, and for when you continue to perform an action even now.
Defining perfect verb tense
The object of the perfect verb tense is to show when an “action” is “complete and finished.” Thus, the action has been “perfected.” As Purdue University states, the perfect tense are difficult to recall because they are specific; additionally, they are accompanied by auxiliaries and the past participle.
The three perfect tenses that we are analyzing include present, past, and future perfect. Each one is defined by its auxiliary, which could include have, had, and will have or will had depending on the tense. As some sources state, perfect tenses help us understand actions before they will be completed–at least it helps us convey that message (Skyline).
Present Perfect
Present perfect is used for when you need to convey that an action happens often.
“We have done this before.”
Additional examples include the following:
Present perfect: I have cooked. I have learned. I have seen.
Past Perfect
Past perfect is used to convey actions that have happened before a certain time.
“Before this day, we had completed the assignment.”
Additional examples include the following:
Past perfect: I had cooked. I had learned. I had been there.
Future Perfect
Future perfect is used when you need to convey that an action will be completed.
“By Friday, I will have written the report
Additional examples include the following:
Future perfect: I will have cooked. I will have looked. I will have heard the speaker.
Works cited
Purdue University. “Introduction to Verb Tenses.” Perdue Online Writing Lab. Web. https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/verb_tenses/index.html
Skyline College. “Verb Tenses.” Web. https://www.skylinecollege.edu/learningcenter/assets/documents/grammarguides/ReaderVerbTenses.pdf
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