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Present Perfect Tense in Movies

The document discusses the present perfect tense in English. It is used to describe actions that began in the past and continue in the present or actions that are completed but occurred at an unspecified time before now. The present perfect can be used to talk about experiences, changes over time, accomplishments, uncompleted expected actions, and actions that occurred multiple times at different points in the past. Time expressions like "in the last year" can further specify the timeframe being referred to.

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Camelia Pleșa
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341 views5 pages

Present Perfect Tense in Movies

The document discusses the present perfect tense in English. It is used to describe actions that began in the past and continue in the present or actions that are completed but occurred at an unspecified time before now. The present perfect can be used to talk about experiences, changes over time, accomplishments, uncompleted expected actions, and actions that occurred multiple times at different points in the past. Time expressions like "in the last year" can further specify the timeframe being referred to.

Uploaded by

Camelia Pleșa
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
  • Present Perfect Overview
  • Present Perfect Usage Topics
  • Additional Uses of Present Perfect
  • Time Expressions with Present Perfect
  • Use 2 Duration From the Past Until Now

Present Perfect

FORM

[has/have + past participle]

Examples:

 You have seen that movie many times.


 Have you seen that movie many times?
 You have not seen that movie many times.

USE 1 Unspecified Time Before Now

We use the Present Perfect to say that an action happened at an unspecified time
before now. The exact time is not important. You CANNOT use the Present Perfect with
specific time expressions such as: yesterday, one year ago, last week, when I was a
child, when I lived in Japan, at that moment, that day, one day, etc. We CAN use the
Present Perfect with unspecific expressions such as: ever, never, once, many times,
several times, before, so far, already, yet, etc.

Examples:

 I have seen that movie twenty times.


 I think I have met him once before.
 There have been many earthquakes in California.
 People have traveled to the Moon.
 People have not traveled to Mars.
 Have you read the book yet?
 Nobody has ever climbed that mountain.
 A: Has there ever been a war in the United States?
B: Yes, there has been a war in the United States.
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect?

The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It is best to
associate Present Perfect with the following topics:

TOPIC 1 Experience

You can use the Present Perfect to describe your experience. It is like saying, "I have
the experience of..." You can also use this tense to say that you have never had a
certain experience. The Present Perfect is NOT used to describe a specific event.

Examples:

 I have been to France.


This sentence means that you have had the experience of being in France.
Maybe you have been there once, or several times.
 I have been to France three times.
You can add the number of times at the end of the sentence.
 I have never been to France.
This sentence means that you have not had the experience of going to France.
 I think I have seen that movie before.
 He has never traveled by train.
 Joan has studied two foreign languages.
 A: Have you ever met him?
B: No, I have not met him.

TOPIC 2 Change Over Time

We often use the Present Perfect to talk about change that has happened over a period
of time.

Examples:

 You have grown since the last time I saw you.


 The government has become more interested in arts education.
 Japanese has become one of the most popular courses at the university since
the Asian studies program was established.
 My English has really improved since I moved to Australia.
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments

We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and
humanity. You cannot mention a specific time.

Examples:

 Man has walked on the Moon.


 Our son has learned how to read.
 Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
 Scientists have split the atom.

TOPIC 4 An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting

We often use the Present Perfect to say that an action which we expected has not
happened. Using the Present Perfect suggests that we are still waiting for the action to
happen.

Examples:

 James has not finished his homework yet.


 Susan hasn't mastered Japanese, but she can communicate.
 Bill has still not arrived.
 The rain hasn't stopped.

TOPIC 5 Multiple Actions at Different Times

We also use the Present Perfect to talk about several different actions which have
occurred in the past at different times. Present Perfect suggests the process is not
complete and more actions are possible.

Examples:

 The army has attacked that city five times.


 I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester.
 We have had many major problems while working on this project.
 She has talked to several specialists about her problem, but nobody knows why
she is sick.
Time Expressions with Present Perfect

When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point
in our lives before now. Remember, the exact time the action happened is not
important.

Sometimes, we want to limit the time we are looking in for an experience. We can do
this with expressions such as: in the last week, in the last year, this week, this month, so
far, up to now, etc.

Examples:

 Have you been to Mexico in the last year?


 I have seen that movie six times in the last month.
 They have had three tests in the last week.
 She graduated from university less than three years ago. She has worked for
three different companies so far.
 My car has broken down three times this week.

NOTICE

"Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in meaning. "Last year" means the
year before now, and it is considered a specific time which requires Simple Past. "In the
last year" means from 365 days ago until now. It is not considered a specific time, so it
requires Present Perfect.

Examples:

 I went to Mexico last year.


I went to Mexico in the calendar year before this one.
 I have been to Mexico in the last year.
I have been to Mexico at least once at some point between 365 days ago and
now.
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now

We also use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has
continued up until now. "For five minutes," "for two weeks," and "since Tuesday" are all
durations which can be used with the Present Perfect.

Examples:

 I have had a cold for two weeks.


 She has been in England for six months.
 Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

ADVERB PLACEMENT

The examples below show the placement for grammar adverbs such as: always, only,
never, ever, still, just, etc.

Examples:

 You have only seen that movie one time.


 Have you only seen that movie one time?

ACTIVE / PASSIVE

Examples:

 Many tourists have visited that castle. Active


 That castle has been visited by many tourists. Passive

Common questions

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The Present Perfect and Simple Past tenses differ mainly by their use of time specification. The Present Perfect is not associated with specific times, relying on unspecific expressions like 'ever' and 'yet', and covers actions at an unspecified point before now. In contrast, the Simple Past requires specific time expressions like 'yesterday' or 'last year' for actions completed in the past at known times .

The Present Perfect tense conveys continuity by illustrating actions that started in the past and continue to the present, shown through expressions like 'for five minutes', 'for two weeks', or 'since Tuesday'. It also shows change over time, as in "My English has really improved since I moved to Australia", indicating progress since a particular past event .

The Present Perfect tense is used for several main purposes: 1) to indicate an action at an unspecified time before now with expressions like 'ever' or 'never', 2) to describe personal experiences such as, "I have been to France", 3) to show change over time, like, "The government has become more interested in arts education", 4) to highlight accomplishments, for instance, "Scientists have split the atom", 5) to indicate pending actions that are expected to happen as in "Bill has still not arrived", and 6) to talk about multiple actions at different times, such as "I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this semester" .

Using the Present Perfect tense to discuss accomplishments implies that these achievements are not tied to a specific time and thus have a lasting, ongoing significance. For instance, statements like "Doctors have cured many deadly diseases" reflect achievements that continue to be relevant without focusing on when they occurred .

The Present Perfect tense can be used in both active and passive voices, affecting focus and structure. In the active voice, it places emphasis on the subject performing the action, such as "Many tourists have visited that castle." In the passive voice, it highlights the action's receiver, as in "That castle has been visited by many tourists," shifting focus from the subject to the action itself .

The Presence Perfect tense requires unspecific time expressions like 'ever', 'never', 'so far', 'yet', and 'already', because it discusses actions at an unspecified time before now. Specific time expressions like 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'at that moment' cannot be used with the Present Perfect, as they require the Simple Past tense .

The Present Perfect tense is not used for specific past events because it focuses on the fact the action occurred rather than when it specifically happened. It is used to express experiences by reflecting on actions or events that have occurred at some unspecified time before now, such as "I have been to France", allowing for emphasis on the experience rather than the time of occurrence .

The Present Perfect tense emphasizes uncompleted actions by indicating expectations yet to be fulfilled, as seen in examples like "James has not finished his homework yet." This usage suggests an action initiated in the past but still anticipated to conclude in the present or future, illustrating a temporal continuity and expectancy for action completion .

Adverb placement in the Present Perfect tense modifies emphasis and clarity in a sentence. For example, 'only', 'ever', and 'never' are placed before the past participle, influencing the scope and perception of the action. In "You have only seen that movie one time," the adverb 'only' emphasizes the limitation of the action .

The Present Perfect tense describes multiple actions at various times by suggesting they are part of an ongoing sequence rather than isolated events. This implies the process is incomplete and more actions are possible, as seen in "The army has attacked that city five times." It indicates a continued relevance and potential for future similar actions .

Present Perfect FORM [has/have + past participle] Examples:  You have seen that movie many times.  Have you seen that movie
How Do You Actually Use the Present Perfect? The concept of "unspecified time" can be very confusing to English learners. It
TOPIC 3 Accomplishments We often use the Present Perfect to list the accomplishments of individuals and humanity. You cannot
Time Expressions with Present Perfect When we use the Present Perfect it means that something has happened at some point in
USE 2 Duration From the Past Until Now We also use the Present Perfect to show that something started in the past and has c

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