Learn English Tenses: PRESENT PERFECT

Learn English with Rebecca · engVid

24 Apr 202056:39

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe video script is an educational guide on the use of the present perfect tense in English, a grammatical structure that links the past with the present to show the relevance of past actions to current situations. It is part of a series on English verb tenses by www.engvid.com. The script explains that mastering the present perfect tense can elevate one's English proficiency in various contexts, such as social, business, or academic settings. The lesson covers how to construct sentences in the present perfect tense using the auxiliary verb 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the main verb, and it distinguishes between regular and irregular verbs. The script also outlines common situations where the present perfect tense is appropriate, such as when discussing past actions with present consequences, unfinished past actions that continue into the present, and recent past actions with present effects. Additionally, it provides a list of time expressions that can be used with the present perfect tense, such as 'already', 'just', 'for', 'since', 'ever', and 'yet', and explains when not to use the tense, particularly with finished time expressions like 'yesterday' or 'last week'. The guide offers examples and explanations to clarify the correct use of the tense, as well as common mistakes to avoid. It concludes with encouragement to practice using the tense in personal contexts and to continue learning through quizzes and further lessons on the website.

Takeaways

📚 The present perfect tense is used to connect the present with the past, showing that a past action has a present result or effect.
⏯️ It is formed using the helping verb 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of the main verb (regular verbs take -ed, irregular verbs have unique forms).
🔍 The difference between 'I lost my book' (past simple) and 'I have lost my book' (present perfect) is that the latter implies the book is still lost in the present.
🔑 Common situations for using the present perfect include: an action with a result in the present, an action finished in the past that is still true now, an action that started in the past and continues to the present, and recent actions with present consequences.
🚫 Do not use the present perfect with finished time expressions like 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'in 2012'.
✅ Use 'already', 'just', 'for', 'since', 'ever', 'never', and 'yet' with the present perfect to indicate different types of time relationships.
🤔 To answer yes/no questions in the present perfect, use short answers like 'Yes, I have' or 'No, I haven't', without repeating the auxiliary verb.
💬 Pronunciation is key; ensure that contractions like 'I've' (I have) and 'She's' (She has) are clearly articulated to avoid misunderstandings.
💡 The present perfect is often used with question words other than 'when', such as 'how long', 'where', and 'what', to form questions about experiences up to the present moment.
📈 Mastering the present perfect tense can elevate your English communication skills to a higher level, making you sound more advanced in social, business, or academic settings.
📝 Practice using the present perfect tense by writing or speaking about your own experiences, focusing on actions that have a connection to the present moment.

Q & A

What is the primary function of the present perfect tense?
-The present perfect tense connects the present with the past, showing that an action in the past has a result or effect in the present.
How is the present perfect tense constructed in a sentence?
-The present perfect tense is constructed by using the subject, the helping verb 'have' or 'has', and the past participle of the main verb.
What is the difference between using 'I lost my book' and 'I have lost my book'?
-'I lost my book' indicates a completed action in the past, while 'I have lost my book' implies that the book is still lost and the action has relevance to the present.
Can the present perfect tense be used with expressions that denote finished times?
-No, the present perfect tense should not be used with finished time expressions like 'yesterday', 'last week', or 'in 2015'. It is used with unfinished times or no specific time expression.
What are some common words or expressions used with the present perfect tense?
-Common words and expressions with the present perfect tense include 'already', 'just', 'for + period of time', 'since + point in time', 'yet', and 'ever'.
How do you form a negative sentence in the present perfect tense?
-A negative sentence in the present perfect tense is formed by using the helping verb 'have' or 'has' followed by 'not', and then the past participle of the main verb.
What is the contraction for 'I have' in the present perfect tense?
-The contraction for 'I have' is 'I've'. Similarly, 'you have' contracts to 'you've', and so on.
How do you respond to a yes/no question in the present perfect tense?
-To respond to a yes/no question in the present perfect tense, you use 'Yes, I have' or 'No, I haven't' for short answers, taking the 'have' from the question and adding it to the response.
Why is it incorrect to use 'when' in a question with the present perfect tense?
-Using 'when' in a question implies a specific point in the past, which is not compatible with the present perfect tense that deals with unfinished or ongoing states up to the present. 'When' should be used with the past simple tense instead.
What is a common mistake made when forming questions in the present perfect tense?
-A common mistake is using the auxiliary verb 'do' (as in 'Did you...') instead of 'have' (as in 'Have you...') when forming questions in the present perfect tense.
How can one practice using the present perfect tense?
-One can practice using the present perfect tense by writing or speaking about personal experiences, such as recent actions or events, and by using resources like quizzes on websites like www.engvid.com.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Present Perfect Tense

The video begins with an introduction to the present perfect tense, emphasizing its advanced nature and its role in linking the present and past with a focus on the effect or result in the present from a past action. The instructor expresses enthusiasm to help learners master this tense for effective communication in various English settings.

05:01

📚 Present Perfect Tense Usage Overview

The second paragraph delves into the situations where the present perfect tense is used, such as when a past action has present consequences, to describe experiences, finished past actions with relevance to the present, and for recent past events with present effects. It also highlights common words and phrases that accompany the present perfect tense.

10:07

🔍 Understanding Present Perfect with Time Expressions

This paragraph clarifies the use of the present perfect tense with time expressions. It explains that the present perfect is used with unfinished time expressions or no time expression at all, as opposed to the past simple tense, which is used with finished time expressions like 'yesterday' or 'last week'.

15:10

📝 Formation of Present Perfect with Regular Verbs

The fourth paragraph provides a guide on constructing sentences in the present perfect tense with regular verbs. It outlines the structure, which includes the subject, the helping verb 'have' or 'has', and the past participle of the verb. It also explains how to form negative sentences and questions.

20:12

📖 Formation of Present Perfect with Irregular Verbs

The focus of this paragraph is on the formation of the present perfect tense with irregular verbs. It maintains the same structure as with regular verbs but requires knowledge of the past participle form of irregular verbs, which can differ significantly from the base form.

25:16

🤔 Common Errors in Using Present Perfect Tense

The sixth paragraph discusses common mistakes made when using the present perfect tense. It addresses errors related to the choice of helping verbs, omission of helping verbs, incorrect use of past participles, and misuse of question words. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of accuracy in verb conjugation and question formation.

30:17

📉 Avoiding Pronunciation Errors in Present Perfect Tense

This paragraph highlights pronunciation errors that can lead to misunderstandings, such as omitting parts of contractions or mispronouncing the endings of words. It stresses the importance of clear and accurate pronunciation, especially for grammatical components of sentences.

35:20

🎓 Final Review and Next Steps

The final paragraph reviews the key points about the present perfect tense and encourages practice by creating sentences about personal experiences. It also directs learners to additional resources on www.engvid.com for further practice and ends with well wishes for the viewer's English learning journey.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Present Perfect Tense

The present perfect tense is a verb tense used to describe actions that occurred at an unspecified time in the past or actions that started in the past and continue up to the present. It is a key focus of the video, as it allows for more nuanced communication in English. For example, the script mentions 'I have lost my book' to indicate a past action with present relevance, as opposed to 'I lost my book' which simply states a past event.

💡Past Simple Tense

The past simple tense is used to describe completed actions or events at a particular time in the past. It is contrasted with the present perfect tense in the video to highlight the difference in the timing of actions. For instance, 'I lost my book' is an example of the past simple tense, indicating the action of losing the book was completed in the past and has no present consequence implied.

💡Irregular Verbs

Irregular verbs are verbs that do not follow the standard '-ed' ending when conjugated in the past tense. They are an important aspect discussed in the video because their past participle forms must be memorized and are often used in the present perfect tense. For example, 'go' is an irregular verb with the past participle 'gone', as in 'I have gone to London'.

💡Regular Verbs

Regular verbs are verbs that form their past tense and past participle by adding '-ed' to the base form. The video explains that the present perfect tense is constructed with the helping verb 'have' or 'has' followed by the past participle of regular verbs, such as 'I have worked'.

💡Time Expressions

Time expressions are words or phrases that indicate when an action takes place. The video emphasizes the importance of using unfinished time expressions with the present perfect tense, such as 'this week' or 'recently', to indicate that the action's effects are still relevant. Conversely, finished time expressions like 'yesterday' or 'last month' are used with the past simple tense.

💡Past Participle

The past participle is the third form of a verb, often used in perfect tenses to indicate a completed action. In the context of the video, it is the form of the verb that follows the helping verb 'have' or 'has' in the present perfect tense. For regular verbs, it typically ends in '-ed', while for irregular verbs, it can be a different form, as in 'have seen' or 'have gone'.

💡Contractions

Contractions are shortened forms of words that combine two or more words, often omitting certain letters and using an apostrophe. In the video, the focus is on contractions in the present perfect tense, such as 'I have' becoming 'I've', which can affect the clarity of speech if not pronounced correctly.

💡Unfinished Time Expressions

Unfinished time expressions refer to periods that are not yet complete, such as 'today', 'this week', or 'this year'. The video explains that these expressions are compatible with the present perfect tense because they extend into the present moment, indicating that the action's effects continue to the present.

💡Short Answers

Short answers are brief responses to yes/no questions that use the auxiliary verb from the question and a subject pronoun. The video demonstrates how to form short answers in the present perfect tense, such as 'Yes, I have' or 'No, I haven't', which are more concise than repeating the entire question.

💡Common Mistakes

The video identifies and explains common errors made when using the present perfect tense, such as incorrect use of auxiliary verbs, omission of helping verbs, and misuse of past participles. It also addresses pronunciation errors that can make grammatically correct sentences sound incorrect, emphasizing the importance of clear and accurate speech.

💡Practice

Practice is highlighted in the video as a crucial component of mastering the present perfect tense. It encourages learners to create sentences about their own experiences using the present perfect tense to solidify their understanding. The act of personalizing the learning through practice is shown to be an effective method for remembering and applying the tense correctly.

Highlights

The present perfect tense connects the present with the past, showing an action in the past has a result in the present.

Using the present perfect tense allows for more advanced communication in social, business, or academic environments.

The construction of the present perfect involves the helping verb 'have' and the past participle of the main verb.

The past participle for regular verbs is formed by adding -ed to the base form, whereas irregular verbs have unique past participles.

The present perfect is used to describe actions that happened in the past and are still true now, or have a present result.

Contrasting with the past simple, the present perfect emphasizes the relevance of a past action to the present moment.

Common time expressions used with the present perfect include 'already', 'just', 'for', 'since', and 'ever'.

The word 'yet' is used in negative sentences to indicate that something has not happened up to the present moment.

The present perfect should not be used with finished time expressions like 'yesterday' or 'last week'.

Unfinished time expressions or no time expression at all are appropriate for use with the present perfect tense.

Contractions in the present perfect tense, such as 'I've', 'you've', and 'we've', are formed by omitting the 'have not' or 'has not'.

Pronunciation of contractions is crucial to ensure clarity and to avoid misunderstandings.

Short answers to present perfect questions should use the full form of the helping verb without contraction.

Common mistakes to avoid include incorrect use of helping verbs, omission of helping verbs, and incorrect past participle forms.

When forming questions in the present perfect, avoid using 'when' as it implies a specific time in the past.

Practice using the present perfect tense by creating sentences about personal experiences and recent actions.

For further practice, EngVid.com offers quizzes and additional lessons on the present perfect tense.

Transcripts

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