Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Business Grammar - Verb Tenses (2)
February 1, 2007
Here is our second of five rules on using verb tenses:
2. Use perfect tenses correctly.
Perfect tenses are used for action completed before some point of reference.
These tenses use helping verbs to "help" describe the time frame (has,
have, etc., for present perfect;
had,
etc., for
past perfect; will have,
etc., for future perfect).
To form perfect tenses, use the helping verb and the past participle of
the verb (present form + -d,
-ed,
or
-en).
- Use present perfect to show action begun in the past and
continuing in the present or completed at some indefinite time before
the present time.
Examples:
Paul has called several times.
Sally and Tom have directed the engineering department for 10
years. (They are still directing it.)
- Use past perfect to show action completed before some other past
action.
Examples:
Paul had called several times before he
called today.
Sally had directed the engineering department for 10 years
when she retired.
- Use future perfect to show action that will be completed before a
specific time in the future.
Examples:
If Paul calls again today, he will
have called 15 times this month.
Sally will have directed the engineering department for 10
years this April.
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This edition was adapted from our
Business Grammar Program.
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