Present perfect for current relevance

Level 3

Haver plus a participle forms the present perfect, often connecting a past event with the present period.

How It Works

He vist la Marta uses present haver plus vist. The auxiliary forms are he, has, ha, hem, heu and han. The participle does not change to agree with the subject: hem arribat, not a feminine or plural form based on who arrived.

In many varieties, this tense suits events in an ongoing period such as avui or aquest any, or with a current result. The boundary between perfect and other past forms varies regionally, so do not present one clock-based rule as universal.

Place negation and weak pronouns before the auxiliary: no l'he vist, ho hem preparat. Contrast he de preparar with he preparat: de plus infinitive expresses obligation, while a participle without de forms the perfect. Common irregular participles include fet, dit, vist and escrit.

Examples (3)

  1. Avui he parlat amb la Marta.

    Today I have spoken with Marta.

  2. Aquest any hem canviat de feina.

    This year we have changed jobs.

  3. No ho han acabat encara.

    They have not finished it yet.

How It Connects

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Present perfect for current relevanceLevel 3

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Place pronouns before a finite auxiliary. Negate the finite verbal group.

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Words in This Pattern

haver