Syntax and semantics

Describe the uses of the Present Perfect Tense in English

General statements concerning the use of the Present Perfect Tense emphasize the connection between present and past.

"a sort of mixture of present and past" (Thomson & Martinet) "past with present relevance" or "past involving the present" (Leech)

However, broad definitions like these are of limited help. A closer analysis of the "past - present" relation is in my view the first stepping stone to the question of use.

This would take account of meaning as given, for example, through intonation and stress or through the presence, nature or absence of adverbials.

Every English Grammar has its system of categorization.

I have found that the categories formulated by Leech in "Meaning And The English Verb" provide a clear understanding of the "past-present" aspect as well as indicating some important functions of the Present Perfect Tense.

The main contexts in which The Present Perfect tense is used in the English language:

It is used in conversations (a wealth of examples in everyday English) , letters, newspapers, radio reports, prayers, reports. Within these contexts the Present Perfect Tense has a variety of individual functions.

1. STATE-UP-TO-THE-PRESENT The state extends over a period lasting up to the present moment. It may extend into the future. Normally used with an adverbial of duration.
2., 3., & 4: EVENT VERBS I.e. verbs used to refer to events. There are three main uses of the Present Perfect with event verbs, as follows:
2.[a] INDEFINITE PAST At least once before now. The indefinite meaning is commonly reinforced by EVER, NEVER, BEFORE (NOW), ALWAYS and other adverbials. The number of events is commonly unspecified. The time is unspecified.
2.[b] RECENT INDEFINITE PAST At least once in a period leading up to the present. Associated with adverbs such as JUST, ALREADY, RECENTLY and YET.
3. HABIT IN A PERIOD LEADING UP TO THE PRESENT Used with an adverbial of duration (+ an optional adverb of frequency) FOR FIVE YEARS / ALWAYS / EVERY MONTH / FOR AS LONG AS I CAN REMEMBER / SINCE.
4. RESULTATIVE PAST Used in reference to a past event to imply that the result of the event is still operative at the present time. No adverbial support is needed.
5. ADVERBIAL CLAUSES OF TIME REFERRING TO THE FUTURE. I'll help you after I've washed up.
Special attention must be paid to certain verbs which refer to the states of HAVING and BEING since the Present Perfect Simple must be used (not the Continuous). BE, BELONG TO, CONTAIN, CONSIST OF, COST, DEPEND ON, DESERVE, HAVE, MATTER, OWN, RESEMBLE.

1. The Present Perfect is used with "State Verbs". Verbs normally used to refer to "states" include BE, LIVE, BELONG, LAST, LIKE, STAND, KNOW, HAVE and CONTAIN.

"state" is undifferentiated and lacking in defined limits: e.g. How long have you lived in Brighton? I've lived in Brighton for two years / since 1977.

Here, as in most examples of the Present Perfect Tense applied to states, an adverbial is present and there is no suggestion that the statement may not be true of the future as well as being true of the period lasting up to the present moment.

2. Verbs normally used to refer to "events" include: JUMP,GET, PUT, LAND, BEGIN, FIND, HIT, FALL, GO. An "event" has a beginning and an end; it may be part of a sequence of events or happenings, so it can therefore be viewed as a whole entity.

2.[a] "I have never eaten frogs legs, drunk port or got married." 2. [b] He has just fallen over. 3. She has claimed Social Security for the last five years. 4. We've finished our work.

2.[a] The question HAVE YOU EVER.? Occurs frequently in conversation, in discussion about past experiences

2.[b] is frequent in conversation where short-term memory plays a fundamental part. The actuality of JUST & ALREADY explains why this use of the Present Perfect is especially common in news bulletins, letters and reports & summaries used in everyday conver

Mrs T. has just arrived in Moscow. She's already met 2 of the country's leading dissidents. Dear Lola, I've just received your card from Barcelona.

In news bulletins, Past Simple & Past Perfect are used with much more frequency than Present Perfect. The Indefinite Past does not tell you exactly when. (at six o'clock this morning / three hours ago .. Incompatible with Present Perfect).

Present Perfect used in criticism: The Gov't has doubled prices, lengthened dole queues. Connection with the present - what is wrong now. Also achievements.

3. Habit in a period leading up to the present - an adverbial of duration is usually required. "She has claimed SS as long as I can remember". Without the adverbial of duration the example would suggest the indefinite past.

The extra addition of an adverbial of frequency is often witnessed: "My typewriter has been serviced every year since I bought it."

Adverbials of time and their compatibility with different English verb tenses

Leech's points of orientation - they affect the choice of adverbials. The Present Perfect relates past time more directly to the present point of orientation "now". See Adverbials in relation to Perfect and Past (Leech).

Adverbials occuring with the Past Simple but precluding the Present Perfect: A WEEK AGO, EARLIER THIS YEAR, LAST MONDAY, THE OTHER DAY, YESTERDAY EVENING.

Adverbials which are most likely found in the Past Simple but can occur in an indefinite or iterative sense in the Present Perfect: AT FOUR O'CLOCK, IN THE MORNING, ON TUESDAY, THEN, SOON, NEXT, AFTER BREAKFAST. I've always done my HW in the evenings.

Adverbials which may accompany the Present Perfect but not the Past Simple include FOR THE PRESENT, FOR NOW, FOR THE TIME BEING.

Adverbials which are normally associated with the Present Perfect as opposed to the Past Simple, are SO FAR, UP TO NOW, HITHERTO, SINCE THURSDAY, SINCE I MET HER and LATELY & LATTERLY (recent indefinite past)

The group of adverbials which combine with either Present Perfect or Past Simple is interesting in so far as it indicates cases where the two tenses are interchangeable as well as instances where the actual meaning depends on the tense.

ALWAYS, EVER and NEVER can be used either with the Present Perfect or Past Simple: I've always said / I always said. He's always been a liar / He always was a liar.

NOW & ONCE: Now I've nearly finished my tea. Now it was nearly dark (for "then). I've visited Toledo once / Once I was innocent (at one time). Meaning change.

ALREADY, STILL, YET & BEFORE relate to point of orientation "now" when used with the Present Perfect and "then" when used with the Past Simple.

I've already finished it (as early as now) / I was already very tired (as early as then).

Other adverbials which combine with both tenses are: TODAY, THIS MONTH, THIS YEAR, THIS CENTURY, THIS MORNING, TONIGHT, THIS MARCH, THIS CHRISTMAS, RECENTLY, JUST (chiefly in the affirmative), LATELY & LATTERLY.

A common worry among Advanced level students is differentiation of Present Perfect Simple & Present Perfect Continuous tenses. Note the temporary nature of the situations which the Continuous is used to describe. Temporariness and possible non-completion.

Note that only the Present Perfect Simple (not the Continuous tense) is used with verbs describing states of "having" and "being".

Uses of the Present Perfect Continuous or Progressive tense

The Present Perfect Continuous can also be used in cases 1-4 (not 5) , though it is commonly used without adverbial reinforcement in category 1 "State verbs".

It would be artificial to attempt to teach the Present Perfect with overt reference to categories 1-5. Happily the textbooks provide a mixed bag of Present Perfects.

There is no problem of illustration since each of the categories mentined leads directly into the language of everyday conversation. Moreover, there is no shortage of adverbials in the English Language.

Given the abundance of living examples of use, the key to recognition of the Present Perfect Tense rests with the knowledge of time relations and all other aids to meaning and the ability to harness this knowledge for purposes of differentiation.

Grammar materials relating usage to use, form to function, syntax to semantics

Meaning and the English Verb Geoffrey Leech

This is the best work on this topic and is compulsory reading for people training to become English teachers. The content will cover questions relating verb tenses to their most frequent uses, which are favourite examination questions in tests for teachers: e.g. what are the most popular uses of the present simple tense? What are the teaching priorities in introducing the present continuous tense to a group of elementary learners on a course of study in an English speaking country?

A Communicative Grammar of English Geoffrey Leech, Jan Svartvik

This is a unique grammar reference book in the emphasis placed on use as well as usage, though it is for linguists &/or teachers or for very advanced learners with an interest in this topic.

The English Verb Michael Lewis

This book has had some very good reviews and extends the themes which all those planning to teach English will meet in Geoffrey Leech's "Meaning and the English Verb". Michael Lewis is known for the Lexical Approach to English language learning and teaching, which he has written about in another work. I would recommend LTP publications to teachers who wish to emphasize the close relationship of syntax and semantics in their language classrooms.

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