This document discusses various tenses in English including the past perfect, present perfect, and future perfect tenses. It provides examples and explanations of when to use each tense. The past perfect tense expresses an action that was completed before another past action. The present perfect tense is used for actions that began in the past and continue in the present or are completed but relevant in the present. The future perfect tense expresses an action that will be completed before a specified time or event in the future.

1. Perfect Tenses
By Arlene S. Opina, Ph.D.

2. Past perfect tense

3. Past Perfect Tense
• expresses action in the past before
another action in the past.
For example:
• The plane left at 4am. We arrived at
4.15am. When we arrived, the plane had
left.

4. Examples:
• I wasn't hungry. I had already eaten.
• They were hungry. They had not eaten for
five hours.
• I didn't know who he was. I had never
seen him before.
• “Pearl wasn't at home when I arrived."
"Really? Where had she gone?"
• Note: The past perfect tense is like the
present perfect tense, but instead of the
time being now the time is past.

5. [HAD] + [PAST PARTICIPLE]
• Examples:
I had studied a little Filipino when I came
here.
The natives of Barangay Mendiola had
never met an American until they met
John.

6. USE 1 - Completed Action Before
Something in Past
• The Past Perfect expresses the idea that something
occurred before another action in the past.
EXAMPLES:
I had never seen such a beautiful beach before I went
to Roxas City.
Had you ever visited Singapore before your trip in
2013?
Yes, I had been to Singapore once before in 2013.
It can also show that something happened before a specific time in the past.

7. USE 2 Duration Before
Something in the Past (Non-
continuous Verbs)
• EXAMPLES:
We had had that watch for ten years before it
broke down.
By the time Alex finished his studies, he had
been in Manila for over eight years.

8. Specific Times with the Past
Perfect
• Unlike the Present Perfect, it is possible to use
specific time words or phrases with the Past
Perfect.
• EXAMPLE:
She had visited her Korean relatives once in
1993 before she moved in with them in 1996.

9. Reported Speech
• Use the past perfect tense in reported speech
after verbs like said, told, asked, thought,
wondered:
Look at these examples:
• He told us that our teacher had left.
• I thought I had met her before, but I was wrong.
• My friend explained that he had copied from me
because he didn’t study.
• I wondered if I had been there before.
• I asked them why they had not finished.

10. before or after
• Before – simple past
• After – had + PP
• Both sentences below are correct.
EXAMPLE:
Lalaine had visited her Boholano relatives
once in 1993 before she moved in with them in
1996.
Lalaine moved in with her Boholano relatives
in 2014 after she had visited them once in

11. • If the Past Perfect action did not happen at a
specific time, Past Perfect MUST be used at all
times. Compare the two sentences below.
• EXAMPLE:
She had never seen a tarsier before she moved
to Bohol. Correct
She never saw a tarsier before she moved to
Bohol. Not Correct

12. Active-passive
• EXAMPLES
George had taken many quizzes online
before he fully understood the lesson.
ACTIVE
Many quizzes online had been taken by
George before he fully understood the
lesson. PASSIVE

13. Quiz – Past perfect
Write the answer only.
1. Manny _________ (experience) a lot of
frustrations before he became famous
and wealthy.
2. A lot of frustrations _________
(experienced) by Manny before he
became famous and wealthy.

14. 3. She ____ never _____ (see) a real
monkey before she went to Subic.
4. After my friend _____ (write) an excuse
letter, he was given a special quiz.
5. John told us that the teacher ____
(cancel) the trip.

15. Write one sentence in each of the
following:
1. active
2. passive

16. Quiz – Past perfect
1. Manny had experienced (experience) a
lot of frustrations before he became
famous and wealthy.
2. A lot of frustrations had been
experienced (experienced) by Manny
before he became famous and wealthy.
1ST
ACTION
PASSIVE

17. 3. She had never seen (see) a real monkey
before she went to Subic.
4. After my friend had written (write) an
excuse letter, he was given a special quiz.
5. John told us that the teacher had
cancelled (cancel) the trip. = REPORTED
SPEECH
1ST
ACTION
1ST
ACTION

18. Present Perfect Tense
Has
Have
+ PP

19. Present Perfect Tense
1. Take note of the form of the
verb.
2. List down on your paper the time
signals.

20. The Form of the Present Perfect
Tense
Jane has been my friend for
over 20 years now. We have
known each other since we were
in high school. Recently, she and
her family have moved to a
house near ours, and now our
children play together almost
every day.

21. For the last five years, Jane
and I have been working
together in a school. We have
realized that each of us has
different talents. In the last few
months she has had some
trouble with her staff, and she
has found it hard to
concentrate.

22. • We have decided to meet
several times about a new
project, but she is bothered
by many things in her office.
Jane has decided to take a
break from the school for a
while, so that she can
contemplate.

23. Present Perfect
• EXAMPLES:
• Where have all the students gone?
I have seen that movie many times.
I have never seen that movie.
NOTE: adverbs like “never” usually come
between the first part and the second part
(have never seen).

24. USE 1 Unspecified Time Before
Now
• Action happened in an unspecified time before
now.
• The exact time is not important.
• Don’t use the Present Perfect with time
expressions such as "yesterday," "one year
ago," "last week," "when I was small," "when I
lived in Caloocan," "at that moment," "that day"
or "one day."

25. • Use time signals: "ever,"
"never," "once," "many
times," "several times,"
"before," "so far," "already"
and "yet."

26. • EXAMPLES:
I have seen that movie twenty times.
I think I have met him once before.
There have been many earthquakes in the
province.
Has there ever been a war in Mindanao?
Yes, there has been a war in Mindanao.
People have traveled to the moon.

27. Uses of the Present Perfect
• Present Perfect is used with the following
topics:
1. Experience
2. Change over time
3. Accomplishments
4. An Uncompleted Action You Are Expecting
5. Multiple actions at different times

28. 1. Experience
• You can use the Present Perfect to
describe your experience. It is like saying,
"I have the experience of..." You can also
use this tense to say that you have never
had a certain experience.

29. The Present Perfect is NOT used to
describe a specific event
• EXAMPLES:
I have been to Tuguegarao.
(This sentence means that you have the experience of
being to Tuguegarao. Maybe you have been once, or
several times.)
I have been to Tuguegarao three times.
(You can add the number of times at the end of the
sentence.)
I have never been to Tuguegarao.
(This sentence means that you have not had the
experience of going to Tuguegarao.)

30. 2. Change Over Time
• EXAMPLES:
You have grown since the last time I saw you.
The government has run after the organized
criminals.
Japanese has become one of the most popular
courses at the university since the Asian studies
program was established.
My English has really improved since I moved
to CEU.

31. 3. Accomplishments
• EXAMPLES:
Man has discovered the solar panel as source
of energy.
Our son has learned how to read.
Doctors have cured many deadly diseases.
Scientists have invented the stem cells.

32. 4. An Uncompleted Action You
Are Expecting
• Using the Present Perfect suggests that you are still
waiting for the action to complete.
EXAMPLES:
James has not finished his homework yet.
Susan hasn't mastered Filipino, but she can
communicate.
Bill has still not arrived.
The rain hasn't stopped.

33. 5. Multiple Actions at Different
Times
• Present Perfect suggests the process is not complete
and more actions are possible.
EXAMPLES:
The rebels have attacked that our city five times.
I have had four quizzes and five tests so far this
semester.
We have had many major problems while working on
this project.
She has talked to several doctors already, but nobody
tells her ailment.

34. • IMPORTANT
When you use the Present Perfect it
means that something happened at some
point in your lives before now. Remember,
the exact time the action happened is not
important.

35. • Expressions such as "in the last week," "in
the last year," "this week," "this month,"
"so far" and "up to now" can be used to
narrow the time.

36. EXAMPLES:
• Have you been to Cebu in the last year?
I have read that book twice in the last month.
They have had three tests in the last week.
She graduated from CEU less than three years
ago. She has worked for three different
companies so far.
This week my car has broken down three
times.

37. NOTICE
• "Last year" and "in the last year" are very different in
meaning. "Last year" means the year before now. "In
the last year" means from 365 days ago until now.
EXAMPLES:
I went to Davao last year.
(I went to Davao in 2014.)
I have been to Davao in the last year.
(I have been to Davao at least once at some point
between 365 days ago and now. We do not know
exactly when.)

38. USE 2 - Duration From Past Until
Now (Non-continuous Verbs)
• "For five minutes," "for two weeks" and "since
Tuesday" are all durations which can be used with the
Present Perfect.
EXAMPLES:
• I have had a cold for two weeks.
She has been home for six months.
Mary has loved chocolate since she was a little girl.

39. ACTIVE / PASSIVE Present
Perfect
• EXAMPLES:
Many tourists have visited that
cave. ACTIVE
That cave has been visited by
many tourists. PASSIVE

40. Quiz

41. Quiz
1. I __________ (watch) that movie five times.
2. Has he ever ____ (go) to our teacher’s house?
3. Yes, he has _____ (go) to our teacher’s house.
4. Where have you ____ (go) in the last week?

42. 5. I ______ (have) four quizzes and five tests so
far this semester.
6. My best friend _____ (answer) the
exercises from the book already.
ACTIVE
7. The exercises from the book _______
already _______ by my best friend.
PASSIVE

43. Provide the time signals.
8. She has had many bruises __________.
9. I have had an exciting book once ______.
10. He has _________ done his assignment.
11. My family has visited Bangkok ________.

44. Write one sentence in each voice.
1.Active
2.Passive
(Present Perfect Completed only)

45. Quiz
1. I have watched (watch) that movie five times.
2. Has he ever gone (go) to our teacher’s house?
3. Yes, he has gone (go) to our teacher’s house.
4. Where have you gone (go) in the last week?

46. 5. I have had (have) four quizzes and five tests so
far this semester.
6. My best friend has answered (answer)
the exercises from the book already.
ACTIVE
7. The exercises from the book have
already been answered by my best
friend. PASSIVE

47. Provide the time signals.
(NO EXACT ANSWER)
8. She has had many bruises lately.
9. I have had an exciting book once
before.
10. He has never done his assignment.
11. My family has visited Bangkok thrice
already.

48. Future Perfect Tense
WILL HAVE+ PAST PARTICIPLE
[AM / IS / ARE] + [GOING TO HAVE] + PP

49. FORM Future Perfect
• EXAMPLE:
I will have perfected my English by the time I come
back from the U.S.
EXAMPLE:
I am going to have perfected my English by the time I
come back from the US.
NOTE: It is possible to use either "will" or "going to" to
create the Future Perfect with little or no difference in
meaning.

50. Future Perfect
• No Future in Time Clauses
Like all future forms, the Future Perfect cannot be
used in clauses beginning with "when," "while,"
"before," "after," "by the time," "as soon as," "if" and
"unless".
• EXAMPLES:
I shall have seen a movie when I have finished my
homework. Correct
I shall have seen a movie when I will have finished
my homework. Not Correct

51. USE 1 - Completed Action Before
Something in the Future
• The Future Perfect expresses the idea that something
will occur before another action in the future. It can
also show that something will happen before a specific
time in the future.
EXAMPLES:
By 2019, I will have graduated from CEU.
By the time he gets home, she is going to have
cleaned the entire house.
• By the time he gets home, she will have cleaned the
entire house.

52. USE 2 - Duration Before
Something in the Future (Non-
continuous Verbs)
• With Non-continuous Verbs and some non-continuous
uses of Mixed Verbs, use the Future Perfect to show
that something will continue up until another action in
the future.
EXAMPLES:
I will have been in Mindanao for six months by the
time my mother leaves.
By Monday, Susan shall have had my book for a
week.

53. ACTIVE / PASSIVE Past Perfect
• EXAMPLES:
The school will have returned my TOR
before I can pick it up. ACTIVE
My TOR will have been returned by the
school before I can pick it up. PASSIVE

54. Quiz – Future perfect
(Write the answers only.)
1. By the time our teacher arrives in our
classroom, I _____ (copy) the whole
assignment from you.
2. The cashier ______ (print) my receipts
before I go there tomorrow.
3. We ___________ (graduate) from our
course by 2018.

55. Future perfect
4. I am going to have ______ (master) my
grammar by the time I ______ 5.
(complete) all my requirements in this
subject.

56. Write one sentence in each voice
• Active-passive

57. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
1. My sister (write) a novel. (now)
A. My sister is writing a novel now.
B. My sister writes a novel now.
C. My sister has been writing a novel
now.
D. My sister wrote a novel now.

58. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
2. My sister (write) a novel. (two years ago)
A. My sister has written a novel two years ago.
B. My sister has been writing a novel two years
ago.
C. My sister wrote a novel two years ago.
D. My sister will have written a novel two years
ago.
E. My sister had written a novel two years ago.

59. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
3. My sister (write) a novel. (when I last saw her)
A. My sister was writing a novel when I last saw her.
B. My sister wrote a novel when I last saw her.
C. My sister has been writing a novel when I last saw
her.
D. My sister will write a novel when I last saw her.
E. My sister would write a novel when I last saw her.

60. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
4. My sister (write) a novel. (next year)
A. My sister will write a novel next year.
B. My sister writes a novel next year.
C. My sister will wrote a novel write next year.
D. My sister was writing a novel next year.
E. My sister would write a novel next year.

61. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
5. The immigrants (apply) for work permits.
(already)
A. The immigrants would already apply for
work permits.
B. The immigrants already applied for work
permits.
C. The immigrants already apply for work
permits.
D. The immigrants have already applied for
work permits.

62. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
6. The immigrants (apply) for work permits.
(last week)
A. The immigrants have applied for work
permits last week.
B. The immigrants applied for work permits last
week.
C. The immigrants applied work permits last
week.
D. The immigrants are applying for work
permits last week.

63. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
7. The immigrants (apply) for work permits.
(not .. yet)
A. The immigrants did not apply for work
permits yet.
B. The immigrants are not applying for work
permits yet.
C. The immigrants would not apply for work
permits yet.
D. The immigrants have not applied for work
permits yet.

64. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
8. My cousins (live) in that street. (since
1975)
A. My cousins were living in that street since
1975.
B. My cousins lived in that street since 1975.
C. My cousins have lived in that street since
1975.
D. My cousins are living in that street since
1975.
E. My cousins live in that street since 1975.

65. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
9. My best friend (live) in Makati. (but now he has
moved to Taguig)
A. My best friend is living in Makati but now he has
moved to Taguig.
B. My best friend used to live in Makati but now he has
moved to Taguig.
C. My best friend would live in Makati but now he has
moved to Taguig.
D. My best friend will live in Makati but now he has
moved to Taguig.
E. My best friend has been living in Makati but now he
has moved to Taguig.

66. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
10. We (get) compliments for the web sites
we designed. (often)
A. We are often getting compliments for the
web sites we designed.
B. We will often get compliments for the web
sites we designed.
C. We get often compliments for the web sites
we designed.
D. We often get compliments for the web sites
we designed.

67. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
11. They (win) their matches. (but they do not
anymore)
A. They used to win their matches but they don't
anymore.
B. They will win their matches but they don't anymore.
C. They win their matches but they don't anymore.
D. They are winning their matches but they don't
anymore.
E. They were winning their matches but they don't
anymore.

68. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
12. He (send) her a bunch of flowers for her
birthday. (last week)
A. He sends her a bunch of flowers for her
birthday last week.
B. He has sent her a bunch of flowers for her
birthday last week.
C. He sends been sending her a bunch of
flowers for her birthday last week.
D. He sent her a bunch of flowers for her
birthday last week.

69. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
13. He (send) her presents. (every day
since he met her)
A. He is sending her presents every day since
he met her.
B. He has sent her presents every day since he
met her.
C. He will send her presents every day since
he met her.
D. He sent her presents every day since he
met her.

70. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
14. I (write) an article for the newspaper.. (the
telephone rang)
A. I wrote an article for the newspaper when the
telephone rang.
B. I have been writing an article for the newspaper
when the telephone rang.
C. I would write an article for the newspaper when the
telephone rang.
D. I was writing an article for the newspaper when the
telephone rang.
E. I am writing an article for the newspaper when the
telephone rang.

71. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
15. I (write) an article for the newspaper.
(since 8 o'clock)
A. I am writing an article for the newspaper
since 8 o'clock.
B. I write an article for the newspaper since 8
o'clock.
C. I wrote an article for the newspaper since 8
o'clock.
D. I have been writing an article for the
newspaper since 8 o'clock.

72. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
16. The reporter (write) his articles in the
evening. (usually)
A. The reporter usually writes his articles in the
evening.
B. The reporter is usually writing his articles in
the evening.
C. The reporter has usually wrote his articles in
the evening.
D. The reporter has usually written his articles
in the evening.

73. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
17. I (study) hard. (for the last two hours,
and now I am tired).
A. I am studying hard for the last two hours and
now I am tired.
B. I study hard for the last two hours and now I
am tired.
C. I studied hard for the last two hours and now
I am tired.
D. I have studied hard for the last two hours
and now I am tired.

74. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
18. He (work) for the same company. (for
the past two years)
A. He would work for the same company for
the past two years.
B. He is working for the same company for the
past two years.
C. He has been working for the same company
for the past two years.
D. He works for the same company for the past
two years.

75. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
19. They (play) cards. (when the accident
happened)
A. They were playing cards when the accident
happened.
B. They have been playing cards when the
accident happened.
C. They play cards when the accident
happened.
D. They would play cards when the accident
happened.

76. Choose the correct answer.
Write the letter only.
20. They (play) poker. (in the last hour)
A. They would play poker in the last hour.
B. They play poker in the last hour.
C. They are playing poker in the last hour.
D. They played poker in the last hour.
E. They have been playing poker in the last
hour.

77. Tasks for Present Tense
• My family’s routine
• Scientific procedure related to your field of
study
• NOTE: write an essay which combines
all forms: simple, progressive, perfect
forms

78. Active-passive
• Transcribe a procedure in cooking, clinic,
business, etc. into passive voice.
• Write it in paragraph form.
• NOTE: Include simple, progressive,
perfect forms.

79. How to make spaghetti
• a box of spaghetti
• a jar of marinara sauce
• 1-2 pounds of ground beef or Italian
sausage
• two large pots, one for boiling the pasta
and the other for making the sauce
• serving utensils
• salt
• water

80. Part 1
• Fill a medium sized pot with cold water. Place it
on the stove on high heat. Bring to a boil.
•
• Carefully place the spaghetti into the boiling
water, making sure the spaghetti is completely
covered with water. You may need to break the
spaghetti in half. Bring water back to the boil,
stirring the pasta lightly to keep it from sticking
and reduce the heat so it doesn't boil over.

81. • Cook for 7-15 minutes, depending on your
preference, the type of pasta and package
directions. Spaghetti should be soft in the
center but not mushy when finished. Test a
strand of pasta to make sure it is finished
before turning off the stove. If the center is still
hard, allow it to cook for an additional minute or
two and test again.•
• Remove pot from heat. Drain the pasta in the
sink using a colander or large strainer, then
transfer pasta to a plate. Serve immediately.•
• If spaghetti is served dry, drizzle it with olive oil
or butter.

82. Part 2 :Preparing the Sauce
• Pour sauce into a small pan. Place the
pan on the stove on high heat, and bring
to a boil. Reduce to a simmer.
•
• Allow to cook for up to 20 minutes,
following package directions. Most
prepared sauces have already been
cooked, and simply need to be heated up
on the stove. Stir the sauce occasionally,
and test it to make sure it is hot.

83. Part 3: Adding Butter
• Place a frying pan on the stove on high heat.
Cut a piece of butter (about 1/2 inch thick for
one serving) and put it on the stove.
•
• Allow the butter to melt.•
• Remove pan from heat. Drizzle on top of the
pasta.
• Serve and enjoy! Add grated parmesan
cheese, basil, oregano, or other Italian spices
for extra flavor.

84. Past Tense
• Your past story, experience, travel, etc.
• NOTE: Include simple, progressive,
perfect forms.

85. Future Tense
• My future plans (10 years from now)
• NOTE: Include simple, progressive,
perfect forms.

86. All tenses combined
• By Group of 10 members:
• Create a dialogue and video it (5-7 mins.).
• Present the video clip in class.