What Is the Perfect Aspect? (with Examples)

The perfect aspect (or complete aspect as it's sometimes called) is the aspect of a verb which expresses a completed action.

Perfect aspect is the term for verbs in a perfect tense.

Examples of Verbs in the Perfect Aspect

Here are some examples of verbs in the perfect aspect:

In the Past Tense

We had seen.
I had cleaned.
She had drunk.

In the Present Tense

I have seen.
She has taken.
It has found.

In the Future Tense

You will have finished.
They will have eaten.
She will have swum.

Forming the Perfect Aspect

The perfect aspect is formed using a form of the auxiliary verb have and the past participle. For example:

Forming the Past Perfect Tense

"had" + past participle

They had played.

Forming the Present Perfect Tense

"has" or "have" + past participle

He has played.
We have played.

Forming the Future Perfect Tense

"will have" + past participle

He will have played.

Verb Tenses Showing the Perfect Aspect

Here is a list of the verb tenses. The ones in the perfect aspect are shaded.

The 4 Past Tenses	Example
simple past tense	I went
past progressive tense	I was going
past perfect tense	I had gone
past perfect progressive tense	I had been going
The 4 Present Tenses	Example
simple present tense	I go
present progressive tense	I am going
present perfect tense	I have gone
present perfect progressive tense	I have been going
The 4 Future Tenses	Example
simple future tense	I will go
future progressive tense	I will be going
future perfect tense	I will have gone
future perfect progressive tense	I will have been going

Interactive Exercise

Here are three randomly selected questions from a larger exercise, which can be edited and printed to create exercise worksheets.

Help Us To Improve Grammar Monster

Do you disagree with something on this page?
Did you spot a typo?

Please tell us using this form.

"Smashing Grammar" (2019)
Written by the founder of Grammar Monster, "Smashing Grammar" includes a glossary of grammar essentials (from apostrophes to zeugma) and a chapter on easily confused words (from affect/effect to whether/if). Each entry starts with a simple explanation and basic examples before moving to real-life, entertaining examples. All entries conclude with a section highlighting why the grammar point is relevant for a writer and top-level bullet points summarizing the entry. [More�]

"Grammar for Grown-ups" (2011)
Vocational rather than academic, "Grammar for Grown-ups" is packed with real-life examples and keeps you engaged with a wealth of great quotations from Homer the Greek to Homer the Simpson. Straight talking and methodical, Craig Shrives draws on his years compiling Grammar Monster and as an army officer to present a comprehensive but light-hearted and easily digestible grammar reference guide. [More�]