Perfect Tenses
The Present Perfect Tense
- The present perfect tense tells about an action that happened in the past.
- It also tells about an action that began in the past and continues in the present.
- Use the helping verb have or has followed by a past participle, which is usually the -ed form of the verb to form the present perfect tense.
Present Perfect Tense Example
- I have performed in two plays this year.
The Past Perfect Tense
- The past perfect tense tells about one past action that occurred before another past action.
- Use the helping verb had and a past participle to form the past perfect tense.
Past Perfect Tense Example
- At this time last year, I had performed in four plays.
Perfect Tenses Worksheet
Write each sentence. Use the present perfect or past perfect tense of the verb in parentheses.
1. I (rehearse) my lines for the show every day this week.
2. Last week we (worry) there wouldn’t be enough time.
3. My teachers and parents (assure) me that I would do fine.
4. For years now my brother (promise) to support my acting.
5. The boys performed all the tasks we (plan) for them.
6. He forgave his enemies who (wrong) him.
7. Shakespeare’s plays (translate) into nearly all languages.
8. He (leave) before I reached his place.
9. I (complete) my homework.
10. Alex (finish) the test before Tom asked to see it.