The perfect tenses are used to talk about actions that are completed at the time of speaking.
The three forms of the perfect tenses are:
The present perfect tense, the past perfect tense and the future perfect tense
- I have finished my homework. (Present perfect tense)
- I had finished my homework before the guests arrived. (Past perfect tense)
- I will have finished my homework by the time the guests arrive. (Future perfect tense)
Formation of the perfect tenses
The perfect tenses are formed by putting has, have or had before the past participle form of the verb.
Complete the following sentences using the perfect tense form of the verb.
1. Where could he .....................?
2. They ..................... before I reached their place.
3. A few years ago, circumstances ……………… me to leave school.
4. He heard that a tragedy ………………… at another site.
5. Many writers ………………… Kabir’s poems into different languages.
6. Joanna ....................... up her mind that she was going to die.
7. He forgave his enemies who ……………….. him.
Answers
1. Where could he have gone?
2. They had left before I reached their place.
3. A few years ago, circumstances had forced me to leave school.
4. He heard that a tragedy had occurred at another site.
5. Many writers have translated Kabir’s poems into different languages.
6. Joanna had made up her mind that she was going to die.
7. He forgave his enemies who had wronged him.
