perfect.htm

tenses formed off the 3rd principal part (= 1 sing perf ind act: e.g. laudävï
- perfect, future perfect and pluperfect
the perfect system is used to describe completed kinds of actions:
- a completed action in the past (simple occurance)
  - e.g. "I praised Casey."
- a present state that exists because of a completed past action (simple occurance with enduring consequences)
  - e.g. "Casey is happy because I have given her a treat."
- a past action that was completed before a subsequent past action (simple occurance completed in removed past)
  - e.g. Casey had eaten the bone before I sat down.
contrast these senses of time with the imperfect
- e.g. "Casey always barked when the phone rang."
- e.g. "Casey used to chase squirrels."
- i.e. - a past action that occured over a period of time or was repeated or habitual.