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

1 Answer
Alan P.
Dec 14, 2016

"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.

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