Pretérito Perfecto de Indicativo (Present Perfect Indicative Tense)
The pretérito perfecto de indicativo is used to describe actions that have been completed at an unspecified time in the past but are relevant to the present, or actions that started in the past and continue to the present.
Mood:
The indicative mood in the present perfect tense expresses actions that are factual and completed in the past but still have relevance or impact on the present. It emphasizes the connection between the past action and the current moment.
- Indicative mood = certainty, facts, reality
- Present perfect tense = completed actions with relevance to the present
Usage:
- To describe actions that have happened at an unspecified time before now: He comido. (I have eaten.)
- To describe actions that continue into the present: He vivido aquí por diez años. (I have lived here for ten years.)
- To describe recent actions: Ya hemos terminado el proyecto. (We have already finished the project.)
Formation:
The pretérito perfecto is formed by using the present tense of the auxiliary verb haber followed by the past participle of the main verb.
Regular Conjugation (Indicative):
| Person | Haber (Auxiliary) | AR Verbs (Past Participle) | ER Verbs (Past Participle) | IR Verbs (Past Participle) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yo | he | hablado | comido | vivido |
| Tú | has | hablado | comido | vivido |
| Él/Ella/Usted | ha | hablado | comido | vivido |
| Nosotros | hemos | hablado | comido | vivido |
| Vosotros | habéis | hablado | comido | vivido |
| Ellos/Ustedes | han | hablado | comido | vivido |
Irregular Past Participles:
Some verbs have irregular past participles in the pretérito perfecto. Common irregulars include:
- Abrir (to open): abierto
- Decir (to say/tell): dicho
- Escribir (to write): escrito
- Hacer (to do/make): hecho
- Ver (to see): visto
- Poner (to put): puesto
Common Time Expressions:
- Hoy (today)
- Esta semana (this week)
- Este año (this year)
- Alguna vez (ever)
- Ya (already)
- Todavía no (not yet)
Examples:
- He trabajado mucho esta semana. (I have worked a lot this week.)
- Ellos han terminado la tarea. (They have finished the homework.)
- ¿Alguna vez has estado en París? (Have you ever been to Paris?)
- Todavía no he comido. (I haven’t eaten yet.)
