Tense-Aspect Combinations in English

Perfect Aspect

• Form: HAVE + V3
• Meaning/use:
• shows that The FACT or RESULT of the action is more important than the TIME of the action.
• usually shows action BEFORE another time.
• usually follows one of four basic types or uses.

Perfect Aspect—Four Basic Meanings or Uses

• 1. A focus on action within a “box” of time beginning in the past and including the moment of speaking/coding.
• 2. A focus on EXPERIENCE.
• 3. A focus on RESULT.
• 4. A focus on the IMMEDIATE PAST.

Present Perfect

• Form: have, has + V3
• Meaning/use: Uses four basic types:
• 1. Action occurring within a “box” of time beginning in the past and including the moment of speaking.
• 2. A focus on experience
• 3. A focus on result
• 4. A focus on the immediate past
• (“Present” is the tense; “perfect” is the aspect.”)

Present Perfect Type 1— A Box of Time

• Compare—
• Present Perfect
• I have worn glasses all my life.
• Simple Past
• *I wore glasses all my life
• Note: The present perfect action occurred inside a “box” of time, but the exact time it began or occurred is not known or not important. We know that the action started before now, but we cannot be sure that the action ENDED in the past.

Present Perfect Type 2— Experience

• Compare—
• Present Perfect
• I have visited London.
• Simple Past
• I visited London.
• Note: With Present Perfect, WHAT HAPPENED is somewhat more important than exactly WHEN it happened. With Simple Past, WHEN the action happened seems to be relatively important.

Present Perfect Type 2— Experience

• Compare—
• Present Perfect
• A: I have served a mission.
• B: Oh really? How was it?
• Simple Past
• A: I served a mission.
• B: Oh really? When?