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The perfect aspect is expressed with the auxiliary have and the past participle form of the verb.
Depending on the time of the action, we use the past (had), present (have, has), modal +
infinitive (e.g. will have) or -ing (having) form of have.
The perfect aspect focuses on the completion of an event. It expresses that the action had, has or
will have been completed by a specific point of time. This point of time may be defined by a
time expression (by 5 o'clock) or a clause (by the time you get home, when I arrived).
Examples of the perfect aspect:
I've lived here for ten years. (from 10 years ago until now)
By 5 o'clock, he had finished the letter. (at some time before 5 o'clock)
When I arrived, they had already left. (at some time before I arrived)
Have you seen my new bike? (at any time up to now)
I will have done the ironing by the time you get home. (between now and when you get home)
He might have missed the train. (at some time before now)
Having taken the wrong turn, he ended up in a dangerous neighbourhood. (he turned before he
found himself in a dangerous neighbourhood)