rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryperfectEarlier action or state
adjective / noun

perfect

A grammatical form linking an earlier action or state to a later reference time.

The phrase "has arrived" uses the present perfect tense.

Etymology
perfectLatincompleted

Latin perfectus means completed. The grammatical name reflects an action considered as already accomplished relative to a reference time, even when its consequences remain relevant.

More examples

  • The past perfect appears in "had finished."
  • We practiced forming the perfect with "have."
  • She used the future perfect in "will have left."

Forms

perfect · perfects