present perfect

[ prez-uhnt pur-fikt ]

noun

1. a verb construction, in English made up of the present tense of the auxiliary verb have followed by the past participle of the main verb, used to express an action or state that is complete at the time of speaking or writing and that is thought of with regard to its current relevance or effect, such as I have finished the book now, so you can have it and She has been with me through thick and thin.

adjective

1. designating a verb construction used to express an action or state that is complete at the time of speaking or writing and that is thought of with regard to its current relevance or effect.

present perfect

adjective

1. grammar another term for perfect perfect

Word History and Origins

Origin of present perfect¹

First recorded in 1570–80