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present perfect

[ prez-uhnt pur-fikt ]

noun

  1. a verb construction, in English made up of the present tense of the auxiliary verb have followed by the past participle of the main verb, used to express an action or state that is complete at the time of speaking or writing and that is thought of with regard to its current relevance or effect, such as I have finished the book now, so you can have it and She has been with me through thick and thin.


adjective

  1. designating a verb construction used to express an action or state that is complete at the time of speaking or writing and that is thought of with regard to its current relevance or effect.

present perfect

adjective

  1. grammar another term for perfect perfect
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Word History and Origins

Origin of present perfect1

First recorded in 1570–80
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Compare Meanings

How does present perfect compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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present participlepresent progressive