Question

What is meant by the "perfect" tense of verbs?

Answer 1

"perfect" (with respect to verbs) means that the verb action is complete or finished at the time of the remainder of the sentence.

Explanation:

Examples:
Past Perfect
`color(white)("XXX")`The children had gone to bed before their father got home.

Present Perfect
`color(white)("XXX")`I have finished my supper; may I go and watch TV?

Future Perfect
`color(white)("XXX")`By the time our sun collapses, all life on earth will have ceased to exist.