Present and Past Perfect

Present perfect

(HAVE/HAS + PAST PARTICIPLE)

expresses the idea that something happened (or never happened) before now, at an unspecified time in the past. The exact time it happened is not important.

(expressa a ideia de que algo aconteceu (ou nunca aconteceu) antes do presente, em um momento não especificado no passado. O momento exato em que aconteceu não é importante.)

EX:

  1. They have moved into a new apartment.
  2. Have you ever visited Mexico?
  3. I have never seen snow.
  4. I have already seen that movie.
  5. Jack hasn't seen it yet.
  6. Ann started a letter to her parents last week, but she still hasn't finished it.
  7. Alex feels bad. He has just heard some bad news.
  8. We have had four tests so far this semester. (Já tivemos quatro provas neste semestre.)

Past perfect (o passado atrás do passado)

(HAD + PAST PARTICIPLE)

The past perfect expresses an activity that was completed before another activity or time in the past.

EX:

  1. Sam had already left by the time Ann got there.
  2. The thief simply walked in. Someone had forgotten to lock the door.

Nas frases, dá para ver que ação aconteceu antes de outra ação no passado.

EX:

  1. Sam had already left when Ann got there.

First: Sam left.

Second: Ann got there.

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