THE PERFECT

ASPECT
PRESENT PERFECT

ACTIONS IN THE PAST THAT HAVE

CONNECTION TO THE PRESENT:
The movie has started.
EXPERIENCES:
Greg has eaten chontacuros before.
UP UNTIL THIS POINT:
Have you seen Juliette today?
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS

AN ACTION THAT STARTED IN

THE PAST AND CONTINUES IN
THE PRESENT:
James has been studying for 6 hours.
TO EXPRESS HOW WE’VE BEEN
SPENDING OUR TIME RECENTLY:
A.You look great, Susan.
B.Thanks! I’ve been doing yoga.
PAST PERFECT

AN ACTION THAT WAS

COMPLETED BEFORE ANOTHER:
Katie had bought a cake before I saw her.
A REPEATED ACTION WHEN WE
GIVE THE TIMES:
I had been to Peru once before I moved
there.
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS

It focuses on the time the action

lasted
He was tired because he had been
travelling for four hours.
FUTURE PERFECT

An action that is going to be

completed at or before a given time
in the future.
They’ll have finished repairing the
bridge by next week.
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS

It also focuses on the duration

of the action:
By the end of May, I’ll have been
working here for 25 years.