Talking about Verbs 2

When we talk about experience or results, we use the present perfect form (现在完成时).

This form uses "have" followed by the participle.[ have + V(n) ]

For regular verbs, this participle (分词) is identical  (完全相同的) to the past tense form.

Regular Verbs —— V(n)

For irregular verbs, this participle is often different.

Irregular Verbs —— V(n)

When we use the perfect form, the primary focus (主要焦点) is on the subject (主语) of the sentence, not the verb.

It emphasizes (强调，着重) condition, experience or results rather than actions or events.

In these two examples, we see the contrast (差别).

She has already left the hotel.

She left the hotel a few minutes ago.

The top sentence gives the condition or state of the subject and the bottom sentence expresses an event.

The top sentence describes the condition of the subject of the sentence, she, rather than an event.

The fact that she has left the hotel is now a part of her experience, or state of being.

The bottom sentence expresses the action, or event: "she left," which is something she did.

In general, the past tense form expresses events or acts, and the perfect form expresses experience or conditions.

When we use the perfect form of the verb, we focus on the state of the subject and not an action or event.

填空：

        When we use the perfect form, the primary focus is on the subject of the sentences, not the verb.    It emphasizes condition, experience or results rather than actions or events.

排序：

        In high school, John wasn’t a very good student.        In fact, he was one of the worst students.    

When it came time to go to university, nobody expected him to pass the entrance examination.    However, he proved them wrong and did well enough to get into a top university.    He enjoyed his studies and graduated a few months ago.    Now that he has graduated, he’s ready to get a job.

Questions:

1. Which sentence expresses state of being?

A. The express train has already left.

B. The train arrived 10 minutes ago.

C. He got up early and took the subway to school.

2. Which sentence expresses an event rather than a state or process?

A. She was hungry.

B. She still hasn't eaten.

C. She ate a large lunch.

Fill in the blanks:

        He enjoyed his studies and graduated a few months ago. Now that he has graduated, he's ready to get a job.

Note that the past form expresses events at specific points or periods of time, such as last year or the past five years.

These events are distanced from the speaker's point of view.

        He worked at several companies. (in the past)

        He finished the project last week. (in the past, last week)

The perfect form expresses the state of something from the speaker's point of view, not distanced in time.

He has worked at several companies.(his experience now)

He has finished the project.(his experience now)

These two sentences are incorrect and confusing because they give two different points of view.

He has worked at that company until last week. (incorrect)

He has finished the project last week. (incorrect and confusing)

Exercise:

        1. Which sentence is strange?

        A. He has eaten lunch an hour ago.

        B. He ate lunch an hour ago.

        C. He hasn't eaten lunch yet.

Here are some sentences that use the perfect form.

        He has finished practicing.

        He has been practicing.

        She may have eaten.

        Her computer may have been stolen.

Some are simple, such as the first one, and some are complex, like the last one.

The last one is complex because it combines many verb forms, including the passive.

Complete the sentence:

He took his computer with him because he wants to work at home.

Repeat & Read Sentences:

1. The weather has gotten worse.

2. He must have taken her computer with him.

3. He may take his computer with him,  but he still hasn't decided.

4. The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary, from the speaker's point of view.

5. It's a counter-factual condition, which means it goes against what we know or believe.

听说
        He may have been traveling when he got sick.

    The game has started already.

    He may take his computer with him, but he still hasn’t decided.

阅读：

        The past tense form is also used to express something that is unlikely or imaginary, from the speaker's point of view.

        In general, the past tense form expresses of events or acts, and the perfect form expresses the experience or conditions.