< It's difficult to study perfect tense :( >
When tutoring my students, they're confused to use the 'present perfect.' I think it's because, in Korea, there is not 'present perfect tense.' Also, it's difficult to understand the 'present perfect tense.' When they study tense, espcially perfect tense, they're tired of learning this topic. So I want to address this topic.
The Present Perfect is used to indicate a link between the present and the past. The time of the action is before now but not specified, and we are often more interested in the result than in the action itself.
The present perfect is used to describe:
1.An action or situation that started in the past and continues in the present. Example: I have lived in Bristol since 1984 (= and I still do.)
2. An action performed during a period that has not yet finished. Example: She has been to the cinema twice this week (= and the week isn't over yet.)
3. A repeated action in an unspecified period between the past and now. Example: We have visited Portugal several times.
4. An action that was completed in the very recent past, (expressed by 'just'). Example: I have just finished my work.
5. An action when the time is not important. Example: He has read 'War and Peace'. (the result of his reading is important)
As for the Past Perfect, it refers to the time earlier than before now. It is used to make it clear that one event happened before another in the past. It does not matter which event is mentioned first - the tense makes it clear which one happened first.
event A event B
He was very tired because he hadn't slept well.
In this example, event B is the first or earliest event, event B is the second or latest event.
Also, I put the video clip about this topic on this page.
<Video Clip : The difference between simple past tense and Present Perfect>
Reference
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