The perfect tense¶

The present perfect¶

When a situation which started in the past continues into the present (used with words like: for months now, since, lately, etc)

• I have lived in Amsterdam since 1990.

When the result of an action has a strong connection with the present.

• I have lost my keys (and cannot get into my house).

I have worked	I have taught
You have worked	You have taught
He has worked	He has taught
We have worked	We have taught
You have worked	You have taught
They have worked	They have taught

The past perfect¶

When two things happen in the past the action that takes place first is put into the past perfect. The action that happens next is put into the simple past.

• When the police arrived the thieves had already gone.

I had worked
You had worked
He/She/It had worked
We had worked
You had worked
They had worked