Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun The verb tense expressing action completed at the present time, formed in English by combining the present tense of have with a past participle, as in He has spoken.
- noun A verb in the present perfect tense.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun grammar A
perfect tense that expressesaction in thepast (usuallycompleted ) withconsequences in thepresent time .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun a perfective tense used to express action completed in the present
Etymologies
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Examples
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bilby commented on the word present perfect
There's a tendency in Australia at least for police spokespeople to use the present perfect rather than simple past when describing recent events:
"At approximately half-past-seven last night, a male offender has entered the Driver Supermarket store in Palmerston brandishing a large, rusted machete.
The offender has threatened the attendant and demanded money from the till." Full story here.
I find it a little awkward. Any comments?
May 24, 2011
Prolagus commented on the word present perfect
Same thing in Italian, except Italian cops use the imperfetto.
May 24, 2011
reesetee commented on the word present perfect
I haven't heard that here, but they do become as wordy (not Wordie, unfortunately) as humanly possible: "At approximately 7:30 p.m. last night...."
Also, no cars. Only motor vehicles.
June 1, 2011