SARF – PRESENT PERFECT

This tense connects events that began in the past and are still present or just finished, but
are still tangible – they’re still “in the air”. Catchwords for this tense include already, just,
before, ever, never – I have (just) worked.

To start the animation, point the cursor on the person, such as „You“!

From top to bottom you can build your sentences. From bottom to top you can build your questions. For statements, always begin with the personal pronoun „I-you-he-she-it-we-you or they“. Indicate the present perfect tense with “have” or “has” for “he, she and it”. Then, use the third form (go –went- gone). Only after that can you complete the sentence with place and time. (place always comes before time – P before T).

Please note that “have” and “has” are words from the present and therefore represent the link to the present – thus the term present perfect.

I have worked in Munich since last year.

She has spoken with Peter.

With questions, you begin from the bottom up. If, for instance, you would like to use the question word “why”, begin with this word. Then include “have” or “has” for “he, she and it”, the person, the desired action in the thrid form and, finally, if necessary, place and time. If you do not require a question word, simply leave it out and continue building the sentence as just described.

(Why) have you worked here since this morning?

1. Note: he-she-it-they he-she-it-they“ can be replaced by proper nouns such as a first name instead of „he“ or a place such as „The shop“ instead of „it“.

The shop has opened this morning (and is still opend).

Further to - Past Perfect

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