Perfect Tenses and Their Applications
Present Perfect vs. Past Simple
The present perfect connects past events to the present, while the past simple describes completed actions.
Present Perfect Structure:
- have/has + past participle
Uses:
- Experience up to now
- I have visited Paris three times.
- She has never eaten sushi.
- Recent events affecting the present
- I’ve lost my keys (and still can’t find them).
- They’ve moved to London (and still live there).
- Unfinished time periods
- I haven’t seen him this week.
- She has studied a lot this month.
Past Simple Contrast:
- I visited Paris last year. (specific past time)
- I lost my keys yesterday. (completed past action)
Present Perfect Continuous
Used for ongoing situations and recent continuous activities.
Structure:
- have/has + been + present participle
Uses:
- Ongoing situations
- I have been living in London for three years.
- She has been studying French since January.
- Recent continuous activities with present results
- I’m tired because I have been working all day.
- The ground is wet because it has been raining.
Advanced Modal Verbs
Modal Verbs for Speculation
Present Speculation:
- must + base verb (strong certainty)
- He must be tired. (I’m almost sure)
- might/could/may + base verb (possibility)
- She might be at home. (It’s possible)
- can’t + base verb (negative certainty)
- They can’t be serious. (I’m sure they aren’t)
Past Speculation:
- must have + past participle
- He must have missed the train.
- might/could/may have + past participle
- She might have forgotten.
- can’t/couldn’t have + past participle
- They can’t have known about it.
Modal Verbs for Advice and Criticism
Present/Future:
- should/ought to + base verb
- You should apply for that job.
- We ought to save more money.
Past Criticism:
- should have/ought to have + past participle
- You should have called me.
- They ought to have been more careful.
Conditionals Beyond Basics
Mixed Conditionals
Combining different time references in conditionals.
Past condition → Present result:
- If + past perfect + would + base verb
- If I had studied harder, I would be in a better position now.
- If she hadn’t moved to London, she wouldn’t be so successful now.
Present condition → Past result:
- If + past simple + would have + past participle
- If I were more organized, I would have finished the project yesterday.
- If she spoke better English, she would have gotten the job.
Third Conditional with Modal Verbs
- might have/could have instead of would have
- If I had known, I might have helped.
- If you had asked, she could have explained it.
Advanced Passive Constructions
Passive with Reporting Verbs
- It is said that… / It is thought that…
- It is said that the company will merge soon.
- It is believed that the painting is fake.
Alternative Structure:
- Subject + is said to / is thought to…
- The company is said to be merging soon.
- The painting is believed to be fake.
Passive with Perfect Infinitives
- The damage is believed to have been caused by the storm.
- The manuscript is thought to have been written in the 15th century.
Participle Clauses
Present Participle (-ing)
- Walking to work, I saw an old friend. (while walking)
- Being a doctor, she understood the risks. (because she is)
- Having finished work, I went home. (after finishing)
Past Participle (-ed)
- Built in 1900, the house needs renovation.
- Shocked by the news, we didn’t know what to say.
- Given the circumstances, we should wait.
Advanced Reported Speech
Reporting Verbs with Different Patterns
Verb + that clause:
- admit, agree, assume, believe, claim, deny
- She claimed that she hadn’t seen him.
- They denied that they were responsible.
Verb + object + to infinitive:
- advise, encourage, invite, remind, warn
- He advised me to wait.
- They encouraged him to apply.
Verb + object + preposition + gerund:
- accuse of, apologize for, insist on
- They accused him of lying.
- She apologized for being late.