The Use of the Present Perfect of the Common Aspect

The present perfect of the common aspect is used to connect a past action with the present time:

a) as having results or consequences bearing on the present moment.

Ex.: I have opened the window. This means that I opened the window at some time in the past and that it is still open.

b) as continued up to the present moment.

Ex.: He has studied English for two years. This means that he began to study English at some time in the past and that he is still studying it.

The Use of the Present Perfect of the Common Aspect to Express Actions Already Accomplished

1. The present perfect of the common aspect is used to express an action already completed before the present situation but connected with the present situation in its consequences. (Much depends on the lexical character of the verb)

If we use a terminative verb, the relation between the accomplished action and the present state is that of cause and result- the accomplished action is the cause of the present state which is its result.

Ex.: I have torn the paper in two. (now the paper is torn in two)

In Russian this present perfect corresponds to the past tense of the perfective aspect.

Ex.: I have broken my pencil.- Я сломала карандаш.

If we use a durative verb, the relation between the accomplished action and the present state is of a different character. The accomplished action has certain consequences in the present; it gives the subject a certain experience.

Ex: “I’ ve seen a good many things in my time,” said the old man…(Chesterton)

The present perfect of durative verbs is rendered in Russian by both the imperfective and the perfective aspect depending on the situation.

Ex.: I have spoken to her.- Я уже говорила (поговорила) с ней.

2. When the present perfect is used, there may be no time indication in the sentence at all.

Ex.: “How late you are! Where have you been?” (Dickens)

But often we find the following time indication in the sentence in connection with the present perfect:

a) The action is associated with a period of time which has not yet ended: to-day, this week, this month, this year, etc.

Ex.: “ Have you seen Mr. Woodcourt this morning, Guardian?” (Dickens)

· But sentences containing such adverbial expressions as to-day, this week, etc. may refer to some definite part of the period, mentioned or implied: then the past tense is used.

Ex.: I was late to-day. (meaning a certain fixed time when I was to be at that place).

A period of time which is still lasting may also be indicated by since.

Ex.: “You have changed since your accident.” (Saroyan)

b) The time is indicated by means of an adverb of frequency: often, seldom, rarely, never, sometimes, generally, just, already.

Ex.: ‘I’ ve never seen the boy in my life,’ replied Soames with perfect truth.(Galsworthy)

· But if those adverbs refer to a definite past time, the past tense is used.

Ex.: I often went there last year.

The past tense is always used with the adverb just now.

Ex.: I told you just now.

Ex.: I saw him only once.

Ex.: I have seen him only once. (in the whole of my life)

3. The present perfect is not used when speaking about people who are dead, except when something is stated as the present result of their activity.

Ex.: Dickens died in London.

Ex.: Newton has explained the movements of the Moon.

4. In special questions beginning with where, how, why either the present perfect or the past is used.

Ex.: Where have you put my key?

Ex.: Where did you go?

5. The present perfect is used to express an action already accomplished at a given future moment in adverbial clauses of time and condition.

Ex.: I cannot give you a definite answer before I have spoken to him.

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