Grammar for Everyone - Barbara Dykes 2007

18 Perfect tenses - The present perfect tense
Introduction
Part II The parts of speech

As the previous examples show, participles added to auxiliary verbs can form perfect tenses. Perfect means ’done (or carried out) completely’. The table for perfect tenses shows how we can use them, and practice with these can help students to use them more naturally and to spell some of the less regular forms correctly.

Some students need more practice than others, so discretion may govern the use of charts. Errors in written work should be remedied in context, but it is important for all students to understand the forms of correct language. Again, board work is appropriate, with written examples to be used for reference. Practical activities should be carried out to prevent tedium.

The present perfect tense

The past participle is added to the present tense of the auxiliary verb ’to have’.

For example:

It tells of an action that has taken place, and been completed, at some time in the past.