There is usually a slight difference in meaning, however, between these two forms of the present perfect tense. For example, has come refers to the act of coming; is come denotes condition, being equivalent to a verb with a subjective complement.

187. Uses of the Present Perfect Tense. We have seen (179) that the present perfect tense denotes action, being, or condition complete at the present time; as,

He has written a letter. (The writing of the letter is now complete.)

The present perfect tense should not be used to denote action, being, or condition completed in the past; as, He has come yesterday. Say "He came yesterday."

On the other hand, the present perfect tense, and not the past tense, should be employed when the time extends up to and includes the present; as, I have never seen a steamship. Do not say "I never saw a steamship."

EXERCISE 135

(1) Complete the following sentences by supplying the perfect tense of the accompanying verb :

(2) Choose between the two tenses and give a reason for your choice:

1. He came (has come) Wednesday.

2. I never heard (have heard) such a speech.

3. Shakespeare died (has died) in the year 1616.

4. During the present year many changes took (have taken) place.

5. Since the year 1800 the United States had (has had) four foreign wars.

188. Formation of the Past Perfect Tense. - - The past perfect tense is formed by combining had, the past tense of the auxiliary have, with the past participle; thus:

I had called

you had called (thou hadst called)
he had called

we had called

you had called

they had called

A few intransitive verbs occasionally use the past tense of be instead of the past tense of have in forming the past perfect tense; as, He was gone (had gone) when I got there. This form, however, often denotes condition rather than action.

189. Use of the Past Perfect Tense. We have seen (179) that the past perfect tense denotes action, being, or condition completed at some point in past time; as,

When he came, they had already arrived.

They are represented as having arrived previously to the time of his coming.

The adverb ago, which means "in past time," belongs with the past tense rather than with the past perfect; as, It happened (not had happened) many years ago. With the past perfect tense we should use before or previously instead of ago; as, It had happened many years before (or previously).

EXERCISE 136

(1) Explain the difference in the meaning of the two sentences in each group and name the tense of each verb:

1. (a) He did much good. (b) He had done much good.

2. (a) She has lived a happy life. (b) She had lived a happy life.

3. (a) I have never seen him before. (b) I had never seen him before.

(2) Name the two tenses in each sentence; then choose between the two and give a reason for your choice:

1. Where have (had) you been today?

2. Where have (had) you been yesterday?
3. She was (had been) here an hour ago.
4. She was (had been) here an hour before.

5. How many presidents has (had) the United States had in all? 6. How many presidents has (had) the United States had previously to the Civil War?

190. Formation of the Future Perfect Tense. The future perfect tense is formed by combining the future tense of the verb have with the past participle; thus,

I shall have called

you will have called (thou wilt have called) he will have called

we shall have called

you will have called they will have called

191. Use of the Future Perfect Tense. We have seen (179) that the future perfect tense denotes action, being, or condition to be completed at some point in future time; as,

By Monday they will have reached France.

By Monday their reaching France will have taken place and be completed action.

The future perfect tense is suited to exact and formal language, but is not commonly found in ordinary language. As a substitute for this tense, we may employ one of the following forms of the verb:

(1) The present tense; as, When he comes (shall have come), give him a hearty welcome.

(2) The future tense; as, The work will be finished (will have been finished) by noon.

(3) The perfect tense; as, I shall stay here until they have returned (shall have returned).

EXERCISE 137

Name the tenses in each of the following sentences and tell which of the two sounds the more natural:

1. We shall hear (shall have heard) by noon.

2. When duty calls (shall have called), we must obey.

3. By tomorrow the crisis will be reached (will have been reached).

4. There will be time enough after they have arrived (shall have arrived).

EXERCISE 138

(1) Tell the tense of the verb in each of the following sentences.

1. All but two of ours are gone.

2. I fear it will be cold tomorrow.

3. He has subscribed a hundred dollars.

4. Stay here until you have heard from me.

5. I cannot go until the situation has improved.

6. By June the interest will have amounted to the principal.