Present Perfect vs. Past Perfect 

"Present Perfect" vs. "Past Perfect" in the English Grammar

What is Their Main Difference?

The main difference between present perfect and past perfect is that present perfect focuses on actions that are linked to the present, whereas the past perfect refers to actions that happened before another action in the past. Furthermore, present perfect uses "have" or "has" plus the past participle, while past perfect uses "had" plus the past participle.

Uses and Comparison

1. State of Action

As mentioned earlier, present perfect focuses on events that recently started or started in the past but have relevance or connection to the present. It often emphasizes the result or effect of the action on the present. Past perfect describes actions that have been performed and finished before another action or event in the past.

Example

She had gone to New York.

Here, we are referring to an action that happened in the past and is already finished.

She has gone to New York.

Here, we are referring to an action that probably started a while ago and is still ongoing.

Relevance vs. Sequence

Present Perfect connects a past action with the present moment, focusing on the result or experience that is relevant now. Past Perfect sets up a sequence of past actions, with one action happening before the other. It's often used to show the order of events in the past.

Example

I had called my mother before I cooked dinner.

Here, we are talking about two actions that has been done in order.

I can't call Gina. I have lost my phone.

Here, we are referring to an action and its consequence.

Structure

So far, we have discussed the difference in usage of these two tenses. Now, let's explore their structures.

1. Present Perfect Tense

To form a present perfect verb, the subject is followed by "have," or "has" (depending on the subject), and then the past participle** of the verb.

Subject

Have

Past Participle

I/You/We/They

have

talked

He/She/It

has

gone

2. Past Perfect Tense

Past perfect tense is formed when the subject is followed by "had" (which stays the same for all subjects), and then the past participle of the verb.

Example

You had gone too far.

She had pierced her ear.

Quiz:


1.

Which sentence correctly demonstrates the present perfect tense?

A

I had already eaten breakfast before I left for work.

B

She has visited Paris several times.

C

They will have finished the project by next week.

D

He was reading a book when the phone rang.

2.

Which sentence uses the past perfect tense?

A

He has completed his homework.

B

I will have called you by then.

C

We are planning to visit the park later.

D

She had left the office before the meeting started.

3.

Which of the following best describes the function of the past perfect tense?

A

To describe an action that happened before another action in the past.

B

To connect a past action to the present moment.

C

To refer to an action that will happen in the future.

D

To focus on the result of a past action in the present.

4.

Which of the following sentences use present perfect tense? (Three options are correct.)

She has completed her homework.

He had left the office before I arrived.

They have been to London twice this year.

I have lost my keys, so I can't unlock the door.

I had written the report before the deadline.

5.

Unscramble the sentence to form a correct past perfect sentence:

before
arrived
.
started
movie
already
we
had
the
6.

Match the scrambled sentences with the correct ending based on their structure and meaning:

They had left
I have lived here
The government has announced
She had finished
We have not seen
a new policy that will change everything.
her homework before the guests arrived.
that movie yet.
for five years.
by the time we arrived.
7.

Match the sentences with the correct tense:

I have already visited that museum.
She had packed her bags before sunrise.
Present Perfect
Past Perfect
8.

Fill in the blanks with have/has/had to form the correct tense in each sentence.

I

already eaten dinner before they arrived.

He

finished the project, so now he's free to take a break.

She

visited the museum several times, so she knew the exhibits very well.

By the time the movie started, we

found our seats.

After she

read the book, she watched the movie adaptation.

have
has
had
9.

Complete the table by filling in the blanks with the correct the required form of the verb (have/has/had) or the correct tense (Present Perfect or Past Perfect).

sentencetense

She

visited the zoo.

Present Perfect

They had left already.

Perfect

I have seen that movie.

Perfect

We

finished dinner.

Past Perfect

Comments

(32)
Loading Recaptcha...

Recommended

Present Continuous vs. Present Perfect

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between present continuous and present perfect, which might cause confusion.

Present Continuous vs. Going To

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between present continuous and going to, which might cause confusion.

Present Perfect vs. Present Perfect Continuous

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between present perfect and present perfect continuous, which might cause confusion.

Present Perfect Continuous vs. Past Perfect Continuous

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between present perfect continuous and past perfect continuous, which might cause confusion.

Past Simple vs. Past Perfect

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between past simple and past perfect, which might cause confusion.

Past Simple vs. Past Continuous

bookmark
There are similarities and differences between past simple and past continuous, which might cause confusion.
Cookies are disabled in your browser

Please allow cookies on our website in order to use all of our features

LanGeek
Download LanGeek app