What is the difference between the past perfect and present perfect?
the past perfect and present perfect are used to describe actions that were completed at particular points in the past. Let’s have a look at the difference between these two tenses:
Past perfect is used to describe actions that were completed at specific points before the occurrence of another action.
Example: She had finished her work before she went to bed.
Explanation: both actions (finishing the work & going to bed) were completed in the past, but the finishing was completed before going to bed.
Present perfect is used to describe the result or situations started in the past and continued till the present. (we don’t know if the situations continue happening in the future. Our focus is just at the present moment).
Example: She has studied for 3 hours today.
Explanation: the sentence shows that 3 hours of her time was spent studying.
*For more detailed explanation, I explained all the tenses in depth details here. I explained about (past perfect, present perfect, past perfect continuous, present perfect continuous, past tense with past perfect, and more).
How to form sentences using the past perfect and present perfect tenses?
Past perfect: Subject + had + past participle
Present perfect: Subject + has/have + past participle
he, she, it + (has)
I, they, we, you + (have)
So, the main difference is the auxiliary verb (had & has/have).
Examples:
She has studied for 3 hours today. 👉 (present perfect)
They have studied for 3 hours today. 👉 (present perfect)
He had studied for 3 hours before he played football. 👉 (past perfect)
How to form questions using the past perfect and present perfect?
1)For (yes & no) answers, start the question with the auxiliary verb.
2)For (detailed answers) start the question with (wh-questions + auxiliary verb)
Examples:
Had she finished her work before she went out? (yes/ no)
What time had she finished her work? (detailed answer)
Have they arrived on time to the meeting? (yes/ no)
where has she left today? (detailed answer)
How to form negative sentences using the past perfect and present perfect tenses?
You need to add (not) after the auxiliary verbs (have, has, had).
Examples:
They have not left before the meeting started
She had not lived in the city when she was a student
He has not finished his work yet.
*You can use the complete form (have not/ has not) or the contraction form (haven’t/ hasn’t), it depends on the person you speak with. Professionally and in formal settings, use the complete form. When speaking informally with family, friends, chatting, etc use the contraction form.
I hope you find this English grammar lesson useful, let me know if you have any questions related to the differences between the past perfect and present perfect tenses or if you have any suggestions for the upcoming topics. Yesterday, I explained other English grammar topics here so feel free to check it 🙂 Also, if you need a private discussion or lessons, email me 🙂
Have a great day & take care!