Perfect Verb Tenses: Definition, Examples, & Exercises | Albert.io (2024)

We know that verb tense is essential in understanding when the action of the sentence was performed, but did you know that there are more ways to express tense than just past, present, and future?

While simple verb tense describes when an action was performed, is performed, or will be performed, perfect verb tense expresses when an action was completed, is completed, or will be completed. Although this is a small difference, it is an important one. Simple verb tense expresses the possibility of an action happening while perfect verb tense expresses with absolute certainty that the action will be completed.

There are some simple verb tenses and progressive verb tenses, as well as some irregular verbs, that do not follow the rules when changing tense. While this blog post focuses on perfect verb tenses, these other verb tenses can be explored in other blog posts on Albert.

When you’re ready, test yourself with a quiz and practice with our high-quality, standards-aligned questions here.

The Basics of Perfect Verb Tense

What is Perfect Verb Tense?

Perfect verb tense is used to show an action that is complete and finished, or perfected. This tense is expressed by adding one of the auxiliary verbs — have, has, or had — to the past participle form of the main verb.

For example:

• I have seen the movie that was nominated for an Academy Award.

This sentence expresses that the speaker finished watching a particular movie and did not fall asleep halfway through.

How is Past Perfect Verb Tense Used in Writing?

Past perfect verb tense is created by adding have or had to the past participle form of the verb and is used in four distinct ways:

1. To show completed actions

For example:

• I had just finished brushing my cat when she tore across the yard and jumped into a mud puddle.

In this example, the writer wants to emphasize the quick sequence of events as her cat went from clean to dirty within a matter of seconds.

2. To express conditional statements

For example:

• If she had studied for her exam, she would have passed.

In this example, it is clear that the subject of the sentence did not study for her exam, as she did not pass. This sentence proposes a different outcome if the subject had made a better decision.

3. In the form of a question

For example:

• “Have you seen my hairbrush?” Larry asked Bob anxiously.

In this example, Larry is hopeful that Bob saw his hairbrush recently and can help him find it.

4. As a negative

For example:

He had not missed a single free-throw since the beginning of the season.

In this example, “negative” simply means that the word not is added to the past perfect verb phrase. The use of this negative implies that the subject has a perfect free-throw average since he has never missed a shot.

How is Present Perfect Verb Tense Used in Writing?

Present perfect verb tense expresses an action that occurred at an indefinite (or unknown) time in the past or an action that started in the past and is continuing in the present time.

While past perfect verb tense is created by adding have or had to the past participle form of the verb, present perfect verb tense is created by adding have or has to the past participle form of the main verb.

For example:

• The close bond between humans and dogs has continued to be a common theme in both literature and movies.

In this example, the writer implies that the theme of dogs as “man’s best friend” started at an indefinite or unknown time and is still relevant today.

How is Future Perfect Verb Tense Used in Writing?

Future perfect verb tense is formed by combining the auxiliary verbs will+have with the past participle form of the verb. This tense is used to show actions that either will be completed at some point in the future or will continue into the future.

It is similar to a Back to the Future II situation. Here’s how: essentially when we talk in future perfect tense, we are speaking about the future as if we have already experienced it and we are looking back on it.

In Back to the Future II, the antagonist travels to the future and learns the results of every major sporting event. When he returns to the present day, he builds enormous wealth and power because he can bet with absolute certainty on the outcome of each game throughout his life.

Here is a real life example:

• When I turn 21, I will have visited all fifty states.

This is a pretty bold statement, but when we use the future perfect tense, we are speaking with the authority of someone who knows the future to be true. Maybe the speaker has already planned a nationwide road trip or already visited 49 states with only one to go. Or, maybe the speaker is simply overconfident and should have used a simple future verb tense instead!

Either way, the future perfect verb tense should only be used when the speaker or writer has absolute confidence that something will be completed or will continue into the future.

What is Perfect Progressive Verb Tense?

The main difference between perfect verb tense and perfect progressive verb tense is the form of the main verb that is used.

While perfect verb tense pairs an auxiliary verb with a past participle, perfect progressive verb tense combines the same auxiliary verb with the word been and a present participle ending in -ing.

Here are some helpful definitions and examples:

Past Perfect Progressive: This verb tense describes a past, ongoing action that occurred before another past action in time.

For example:

• Before her family moved, she had been attending a private school.

Present Perfect Progressive: This verb tense describes an action that started in the past, is continuing now in the present, and may continue into the future.

For example:

• He has been dating her for several months.

Future Perfect Progressive: This verb tense describes a future, ongoing action that will occur before a specified future time.

For example:

• In the next few years, we will have been wearing masks andwashing our hands more often than ever before.

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3 Tips for Understanding Perfect Verb Tense

Here are some important tips to help you understand perfect verb tense:

Tip #1. Perfect verb tense is created when the auxiliary verb have, has, or had is paired with the past participle form of the main verb

For example:

• Past Perfect: Robin Hood had outwitted the Sheriff of Nottingham on countless occasions.
• Present Perfect: Maid Marian has loved Robin Hood ever since they first met.
• Future Perfect: Prince John will have cried for his mommy when things do not go his way.

Tip #2. If the auxiliary verbs have or had are used without a main verb, they are considered linking verbs and do not express perfect verb tense

For example:

• Perfect Verb Tense: I have watched The Lion King over twenty times.
• Linking Verb (not perfect verb tense): I have a lovely bunch of coconuts.

Tip #3. Perfect progressive verb tense is a combination of the auxiliary verb phrase have been, has been, or had been and the -ing form of the main verb

For example:

• Past Perfect: Aladdin had been lying to Jasmine about his true identity.
• Present Perfect: Jafar has been manipulating the king for some time.
• Future Perfect: The Genie will have been helping his friend, Aladdin, even after being freed.

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Applying the Basics: Perfect Verb Tense Review & Practice

Now that you understand how perfect verb tense functions in sentences, review the anchor chart below and complete the review to fully understand how to use and recognize perfect verb tense as well as how to differentiate it from other verb tenses.

The Ultimate List of Verb Tenses

Refer to the graphic below to learn the different types of Verb Tenses, including perfect verb tense:

This list, obviously, does not include all possible verbs and their tenses; however, it is meant to be used as a guide while identifying different types of verb tenses.

Perfect Verb Tense Exercises and Review

Now that you understand perfect verb tense, test your ability to recognize which verb tense is needed in the sentences below.

Select the correct verb tense in the sentences below. Remember, past perfect verb tense describes events that have happened in the past, present perfect verb tense describes events that have happened currently, and future perfect verb tense describes events will have happened.

1. Although Charlie dreamed of finding a golden ticket, he has/had/have never expected to actually find one.

In this sentence, had never expected is the correct auxiliary to use to express past perfect tense. You know that past perfect tense is needed because the other verb in this sentence, dreamed, is also in past tense, and verbs must always agree with one another in tense.

2. No one was surprised when Augustus Gloop fell into the chocolate river; he has/had/have been drinking greedily from it just moments earlier.

In this sentence, had been drinking is the correct verb to use to express past perfect progressive tense. This verb does a perfect job describing how a continual action in the past led to the current action of Augustus falling into the river.

3. When he accompanies Charlie to Wonka’s chocolate factory, Grandpa George will has/had/have walked for the first time in twenty years.

In this sentence, will have walked is the correct verb to use to express future perfect tense. Grandpa George insists on accompanying Charlie to the factory, and he is so confident in his decision that he is miraculously able to walk again.

4. Slugworth has/had/have been searching unsuccessfully for the secret behind Wonka’s Everlasting Gobstopper candy.

In this sentence, has been searching is the correct use of the present perfect progressive verb tense. It would not be past perfect progressive tense because Slugworth has not been successful in his search, meaning, the search must be ongoing. Slugworth has searched for this recipe in the past, he has been searching in the present, and he will continue to search for this elusive recipe in the future.

5. The Oompa Loompas were a mysterious tribe of people who has/had/have left their home to work for Mr. Wonka in his chocolate factory.

In this sentence, had left is the correct past perfect verb tense since the Oompa Loompas left their home for good in the past.

Pro Tip:

• Perfect verb tense always expresses an action that has either been completed, is being completed, or will be completed.
• Perfect progressive verb tense expresses an ongoing action that was completed in the past, an ongoing action that started in the past, continues in the present, and will be continued in the future, and an ongoing action that will be completed in the future.

For additional practice, check out Perfect Verb Tense content on Albert.

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Try for Yourself: Perfect Verb Tense Quiz

Feeling confident in your understanding of Perfect Verb Tense?

Take this short six-question quiz to see what you’ve learned:

1. Which three auxiliary verbs are used before the main verb to show perfect verb tense?

• Answer: has, have, and had
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Perfect verb tense is shown through the pairing of the auxiliary verb have, has, or had with the main verb.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, perfect verb tense is shown through the pairing of the auxiliary verb have, has, or had with the main verb.

2. What ending does the main verb use to show perfect progressive tense?

• Answer: -ing
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Perfect progressive tense is shown through the combination of the auxiliary verbs have been, has been, or had been and the -ing form of the main verb.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, perfect progressive tense is shown through the combination of the auxiliary verbs have been, has been, or had been and the -ing form of the main verb, while perfect verb tense is shown through the combination of the auxiliary verb have, has, or had with the past participle form of the main verb.

3. In this sentence, is the future tense verb, “will have been barking” simple, perfect, or perfect progressive tense?

If he keeps this up, the neighbor’s dog will have been barking all night.

• Answer: Perfect Progressive Tense
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verb will have been barking is future perfect progressive tense, meaning that the speaker believes that the dog will continue the ongoing action of barking into the next morning.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, perfect progressive verb tenses express a future, ongoing action and consist of the auxiliary verb phrase “will have been” combined with the -ing form of the main verb, which in this case, is “barking”.

4. In this sentence, is the present tense verb, has witnessed, simple, perfect, or perfect progressive tense?

She has witnessed her start-up company evolve from a few employees in a single room to a multi-million dollar business with employees stationed around the world.

• Answer: Perfect Verb Tense
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! The verb phrase, has witnessed, implies an action that started in the past and continues in the present day. Therefore, this verb is present perfect tense.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, present perfect tense implies an action that started in the past and continues in the present day and is shown by the combination of the auxiliary verb, has or have, and the past participle form of the main verb.

5. In this sentence, is the past participle verb, will be attending, simple, perfect, or perfect progressive tense?

They will be attending the awards ceremony this evening.

• Answer: Progressive verb tense
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! In this sentence, the phrase will be attending implies an ongoing activity that will occur in the future; therefore, a future progressive verb is required.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, future progressive verb tense implies an ongoing activity that will occur in the future, such as, will be attending.

6. In this sentence, is a past perfect or past perfect progressive tense verb needed?

Four years ago I had graduated/had been graduating from my alma mater.

• Answer: bumped: Past Perfect Tense
• Correct Explanation: That’s right! Since graduating is an accomplishment that takes place during the span of only a few hours on a single day, a past perfect tense verb is needed to show that this action has been completed. A past perfect progressive tense verb would be incorrect because it implies that the speaker has been graduating from college every day for the past four years.
• Incorrect Explanation: Sorry, that’s not right! Remember, past perfect tense verbs are used to show that an action has been completed in the past, like graduating. A past perfect progressive tense verb would be incorrect because it implies that the speaker has been graduating from college every day for the past four years.

For additional practice with Perfect Verb Tense, check out our practice on Albert: Perfect Verb Tense.

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Teacher’s Corner for Perfect Verb Tenses

Even if students understand that verb tense can be expressed as an action happening in the past, present, or future, it is possible that students may not realize the many other ways to express tense that goes beyond the simplest categories. Perfect verb tense is a great example in showing students how subtle changes in verb tense can affect a writer’s tone.

For example, a writer stating in simple future tense that “Elizabeth will stumble on a pile of rocks and not realize that there is treasure buried underneath” does not give the reader much of a sense of when, or even if, this will happen in the story!

However, if the author uses future perfect tense, the tone of the sentence and possibly the entire story changes: “Although Elizabeth had stumbled on a pile of rocks that morning, she will not have discovered the treasure hidden underneath these rocks until many years later.”

Suddenly, the story has intrigue because the writer has established an unwavering timeline. Instead of getting annoyed at Elizabeth in the first sentence for not thinking to look under the rocks, the second sentence invests the reader in learning what leads Elizabeth to eventually uncover this hidden hoard.

While the Common Core English Language Progressive Skills Chart provides a broad look at where students should ideally land in their understanding of grammatical concepts, for specific standards on the many different types of verb tense including perfect verb tense, refer to the Common Core State Standards website.

Albert provides a variety of verb tense practice assignments, including a Perfect Verb Tense Practice. Albert has also created ready-to-use assessments and quizzes on a range of grammatical topics that can be used by educators to track student understanding and progress.

Summary for Perfect Verb Tense

Whenever you want to express with certainty that an action was completed, is being completed, or will be completed, use perfect verb tense.

Whenever you want to express an ongoing action that was completed, an ongoing, perpetual action that started in the past, continues in the present, and will continue in the future, or an ongoing action that will be completed in the future, use perfect progressive verb tense.

Be sure to check out our grammar course for more Perfect Verb Tense practice.

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