The perfect aspect can be simple or continuous.
It tells us:
That the activity or state being discussed occurs or starts before a certain point in time and that the activity or state has an important connection with that later point in time:
I have been to France twice. (Present perfect: the events occurred before the present time – now).
It was 1946. The war had finished and Jack had left the army. (Past perfect: the events occurred before the past time – 1946).
Come tomorrow at 7:30. I‘ll have had dinner by then. (Future perfect: dinner will occur before a future time – tomorrow at 7:30)
Put the following sentences into the present perfect, past perfect or future perfect using simple or continuous forms.
- (You see) that film yet?
- I (write) letters all day, and I’m tired.
- I (not play) football since I was at school.
- How long (you wait) to see the doctor?
- They (talk) but stopped when I came into the room.
- By the end of this month, I (work) here for ten years.
- When I arrived, the party (finish).
- We’ve got two more hours. We (do) all the housework by the time your parents arrive.
- I (read) that book for two months but I (not finish) it yet.
- They (wait) for me for two hours when I finally arrived.
- We (know) each other since we were at school together.
- They (try) to solve the problem for some time now.
- The machines (work) continuously for two years when they get their first service next month.
- We (work) on the car for two hours before it finally started.
- By tomorrow, they (get) permission to have the meeting at the town hall, I’m sure.
- (anyone arrive) when you got to the office?
- She looks very tired – I think she (do) too much overtime.
- I (not see) her for the last five years.
- (You say) goodnight to the children yet?
- When I got there, I could see that they (not expect) me.